Jamaicans: We are who we are.

Video not really safe for work, or in the presence of decent company

On many a cold, miserable and blustering English morning, watching this video brought a little smile to my face, and warmed the cockles of my heart. It literally set the tempo for the day; I listened to Mad Jamaican Woman and I was ready to tackle the big bad city. And like any good movie, or that favourite song, I pretty much now know the script word for word.

More than anything, this video reaffirmed in me, that intrinsic quality, often imitated but never duplicated quite right; that je ne sais quois that seems to be a part of our Jamaican makeup. Yes, it's nice seeing that brief flash of Usain 's victorious image up there in the ITV's news intro, and the constant small "positive" reminders of how we are excelling on the world's stage and ccertainly, some people might argue that she does not represent the best of Jamaica, Jamaican society and Jamaicans as a whole, and certainly not decent and polite society (sic), but you know what, she is Jamaican through and through, loud brash and unapologetic, and truth be told, we are as a people loud, brash and unapologetic in revelling in our Jamaicanness.

It does get lonely being in a big city, more so if one's living in a community where there is a certain lack of diversity, and you are more or less cut off from your larger family and your own community. There is no more reassuring, no more comforting feeling than hearing than hearing that faint hint of a Jamaican accent. Suddenly all urgency departs, the previously sterilized or non existent accent emerges full blast and the conversation starts. And what's the first thing every Jamaican wants to know; "which pawt a Jamaica u cum from?". And in seeking affinity with our newly found country man, we then try to find if circles do indeed connect and if there is any link as weak as it might be, between the new busom buddies. Bless our hearts, but the back and forth of questions that follows, that would be considered "faassing" back home becomes heightened as you seek to make that instant connection to your fellow countryman. All social divisions that would have existed back in Jamaica; me from up so and u from down so, town versus country, Labour versus PNP, and so on, no longer exist, because as insular as your life becomes once u step off that plane we really all want to feel that we belong, that we matter, and that we just aren't easily replaceable cogs in the never resting industrial cogs.

But back to Mad Jamaican Woman. We have as a people developed a strong sense of self, a distinctly vibrant and buzzing national identity. We are known for our colourful and lively personalities. Mad Jamaican Woman was only letting the offending man know that there still has to be respect for the law of the land, that she wasn't going to tolerate him breaking the law, at the expense of her comfort. Having had to hassle with public transport in London, and have met some of these offending characters, I have felt Mad Jamaican Woman's grief and ire tho i certainly didn't have the cajones to let off a few claats, and let them have it in said colourful manner.

Mad Jamaican Woman reminded me of the colourful, buzzing, slightly dangerous vibe u feel now where else on the globe but Kingston and you know what, I think we need to track her down and give her an O.J.

Fear: the New World Order

It was reported today that the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. was evacuated because of what was suspected was a possible terrorist attack about to take place but what turned out to be the slight human error. (Link)

It seems we've been now become wired, sprung and ready should news of a new terrorist attack break. I've certainly experienced a quiet moment of panic whilst travelling on the underground one evening. Nothing like the train driver announcing that the train wasn't going to leave the station because there was an unattended parcel on the station platform and he could not leave the station until it was dealt with. That certainly elicited a few furtive glances to the side and a few nervous chuckles. With the still raw memory of the 7/7 attacks in London five years ago, quite a few of us that evening had our collective what if moment, and it would be remiss of me to not admit that yes, I said my little prayer.

There has always been the threat of terrorist attacks; the IRA, the Basques etc. but since the horrible events of September 11, the world has witnessed the rise of the new militants, some who've vowed to continue to fight a millenia long war; others going on the offensive to restore their all fighting for their perceived causes. No longer relegated to the "backwaters" of the globe, these conflicts have now spilled over into major international metropolises. Worse still, these attacks and threats are seemingly being planned and carried out by not by foreigners, but increasingly by those born and bred on the new homefronts.

It seems the "First World" is now being governed by the dictates of fear. Huge budgets are being allocated in keeping everyone safe and all efforts are being made to thwart repeats of past attrocities. The problem with that, is that you can't take a rational approach in dealing with people hellbent on carrying out seemingly irrational acts.

A great read for those interested in the conflict between East and West, I found this book very good; gave me quite a good education on the different factions and conflicts that are still taking place a thousand years after they began.

A New Day, A New Dawn, A New Year

The first day of the new year has broken and it bring with it all the promise of realising one's unfulfilled potential. It brings with it an opportunity to start anew, to improve on the things we were meant to last year, an opportunity to follow through on the plans and resolutions made, an opportunity to let go of some of the obstacles hinderances of last year, and an opportunity to decidedly make a positive difference in one's life and if possible the wider community.

The Dark Ages

Having had the opportunity to live abroad, it's quite contrasting how our local businesses approach the whole issue of promoting their businesses online. Large and small, our local businesses don't seem to value the benefits that could accrue from having that online presence.

With the advance of mobile and computing technology, the advent of the smart phones, the whole world is at one's fingertips; the access to information only as slow as one's data connection. This is indeed the digital age, consumers are spending more time online, and so it befuddles me why our Jamaican business don't see being online as being vital in doing business.

With so many Jamaicans in the diaspora one would imagine that our businessmen and women would see the value of going digital in promoting their businesses. Quite frankly, with increasingly busy schedules, no one has time to sit to look through phone directories, to look businesses up and then to sit and call around when one could with the click of a mouse, or scroll of a trackball find other companies who actually make the effort to court their customers.   

Certainly, when in need of a product or service, I like most customers take to the Internet, to get the undiluted truth, free of the well rehearsed spiel (i dunno why but i think it really ought to be spelt schpiel, but that apparently means something else in Yiddish) of the customer service agent, or reassuring soothings of that persuasive business owner. We do our comparisons, check prices and the variation of said prices and get reviews, all on the said big bad Internet. In this day and age when any buffoon can start a Facebook page expounding on the virtues of picking one's toe nails and asking all and sundry to like said activity, all for FREE, it does not take much effort and investment to get that online presence.

We really need to step it up if we are to compete in a global marketplace

Another case gone to court

It seems the JLP have now decided to challenge Sharon Hay-Websters legitimacy as a member of the nations parliament; the cynic in me asks why now? Listening to the newly elected general secretary of the JLP Aundre Franklin trying to rationalize their long delayed decision to uphold Jamaica's constitution, I could only think, "come on, when are we as Jamaicans going to stop this foolishness and finally grow up".


The general elections were held on September 3, 2007. Yes, September 3, 2007, over 3 years and 3 months ago. Mind you, elections are constitutionally due every five years, so having seen the majority of the time they've been mandated to govern pass, the JLP weren't bothered to have pursued action until now, at this late stage in their administration. It's been suggested/known from the very time this dual citizenship matter was raised and gained prominence in national affairs that Mrs. Hay-Webster was an American citizen; in fact Mrs. Hay-Webster unlike some of her colleagues on either her side or the other side of the political divide made no effort to deny or hide her nationality status. I wonder if these dual citizen challenges will continue until the 13th hour, one the eve of the "upcoming" elections.


If it's a matter of principle, why have our leaders, those who are so affected, not acted on their consciences and declare whether or not their tenure as the people's representatives is constitutionally legitimate or why the leaders of both political parties have not insisted that they do.  


Quite frankly, I am sick of it. This tit-for-tat business our political leaders like to play with our nation's destiny; never looking beyond how they can gain the upperhand over their adversaries. The PNP started this all brouha when they discovered "their principles" through the machinations of Mr. Abe Dabdoub who mind you was a member of the Jamaica Labour Party 2 years before. How ironic is it that it took the PNP losing the general election to rediscover "principle", they certainly weren't concerned with the legitimacy of the house when they were in power and members on both the governing and opposition sides held dual citizenship status. We only seem to act in this country, to right the wrongs when our view of the status quo in Jamaica is affected. We certainly aren't bothered when our neighbours cry out for justice, and only spring into action when issues or circumstances hit close to home. The hypocrisy being demonstrated by both sides show how far we have to go as a modern democracy; the day we get rid of our stymied, political system, where the tribalists and not the true patriots are the ones who are not in charge is the day Jamaica can truly be called a mature democracy.


Many Jamaican's have sought and continue to seek distant shores. We strive in public and private sector roles that we've taken up on our adopted shores. In fact, we are quite proud as Jamaicans when we see our fellow citizens achieve, more so when it's done on foreign shores and seemingly against the odds. We've heard of Jamaican's excelling particularly in various public administrative role particularly in the United States, where this dual-nationality issue seems to most directed. It must be noted that holders of dual nationality obtained from other Commonwealth. In fact Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe as the law stands, is more qualified to represent the people of Jamaica than many of our esteemed citizens abroad.    


Quite frankly, the rule makes no sense. The opportunity to serve our country is a privilege, and not a right. We want to encourage Jamaican's of independent means and thinking, those not looking to feed from the feeding trough that has characterised our brand of politics to contribute to national life. The decision to enter politics should be formed from a true patriotic decision to represent, not one that's clouded by economic considerations. Having built lives abroad, asking (when compared to some of the current lot overqualified) candidates, our potential leaders, who can truly transform our fair isle to not only turn their backs on the place that built them and where they made their names, but to forgo or abandon the benefits that they've accrued is asking a bit much. If we were able to promote a system where people in a bid to do service to their country could take a step away from their lives, and give back and contribute to public life, imagine how enriched Jamaica could be. Instead of having individuals who viewed politics as a lifelong career, we were able to have individuals who could take sabbaticals of one or two or even five years and devote to national service, just imagine the leaps and bounds that we would as a nation. Take the example of Mr. Don Wehby. 


It must be noted, that it has been the official line of the government's representative for sometime now, certainly in the UK and I would imagine elsewhere, for Jamaican's living abroad both legally and illegally to regularize their status, claiming citizenship where this was possible so that they could derive all the benefits that accrue from living there. 


Conflicting no? 


But then again, that's our Jamaica where contradiction reigns.

A lion has passed.......

A lion of the Jamaican press, a great son of the soil and true patriot of our fair isle passed Friday December 10, 2010.

Image Source: Black Agenda Report

John Maxwell known far and wide for his sometimes stringent and strident criticisms of the ills of society as he saw them, always made for interesting reading on a Sunday morning. Agree or not, his articles, as well written as they were, were certainly for me thought provoking, highly enlightening, and thoroughly appreciated for the facts and quite apropos observations, discussions and conclusions drawn of the situations at hand.

For me, he will be particularly remembered as a staunch defender of the natural environment. Often critical of how badly managed our natural environment was; how poorly we were going about developing our island, and the detrimental environmental effects our actions as approved by some of our misguided countrymen had on the country.

As memorialized by the Jamaica Observer:

The gladiator-journalist fought to his last breath

BY DESMOND ALLEN Executive Editor - Operations allend@jamaicaobserver.com

Saturday, December 11, 2010

JOHN William Maxwell, the gladiator-journalist whose biting pen helped to shape a generation of news men and women, took his last breath at 5:15 pm yesterday, aged 76.

Maxwell, regarded as the journalist's journalist, suffered respiratory failure after slugging it out with lung cancer which he battled with customary courage since 2008.

"John died the way he would have wanted, not lingering on given his weak condition," she told the Observer."He died very peacefully at home," his Netherlands-born wife of 20 years, Dr Marjan deBruin, said last night.

Maxwell who spoke openly about his smoking and drinking, once describing himself as a member of a group of university "thinkers and drinkers", had given up both, saying, "I had done enough for the industry." But apparently too late.

He fought the cancer vigorously, including two visits for treatment in the Netherlands. On his second visit, he was told by doctors they could do no more to fight the cancer, and Maxwell chose to return home to end his days in his beloved Jamaica.

As a demonstration of the love and admiration he enjoyed, Maxwell was able to raise US$80,000 in less than a week to meet the cost of an air ambulance to bring him home as he could not travel by commercial airline.

Gordon "Butch" Stewart, who was among those who helped to bring Maxwell back to Jamaica and was a long-time admirer of the journalistic iconoclast, said last night the news had left him in shock.

"The passing of John Maxwell represents an event of seismic proportions in the journalism profession. I have known John a long time. He worked alongside my father who was chief engineer at the then Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) where the two were inseparable," said Stewart.

Maxwell was born in a house at Duncans, Trelawny, which slaves a century or so before had lovingly built for the Baptist missionary William Knibb, after the anti-abolitionist planters had burnt his home to the ground.

He was born into a family of politicians. His father was a Baptist pastor and politician; and two maternal uncles were (JLP) Members of the House of Representatives.

His mother, the former Zelma Thelwell, was one of Jamaica's first fashion designers.

Maxwell won deep admiration among his peers and his compatriots at large for his fearless journalism, in which he faced down prime ministers, was fired more than any other reporter and ended up preparing future journalists at the University of the West Indies, Mona in St Andrew.

His journalism odyssey, which began at the Gleaner in 1959 after he left Jamaica College and Calabar, meanders through an unending series of colourful, often controversial anecdotes, pregnant with historical significance.

"Trenchant, fearful of no one, fully armed and suited up to do battle at the drop of a hat, Maxwell is a type of gladiator wielding a merciless pen," was how one interviewer described him.

Eli Matalon, the former PNP security minister, clearly driven to distraction, once described Maxwell as "an over-educated Rasta".

After The Gleaner, he edited the Public Opinion newspaper which was owned by the People's National Party (PNP) but secured his place in the annals of journalism when he started and hosted the Public Eye talk show on JBC radio.

An often exasperating host, Maxwell opened his microphone to thousands of powerless domestic helpers — many slaving away in shameless households — by inspiring a National Minimum Wage.

In later years, he built up an even greater following with his weekly column, Common Sense in the Sunday Observer, which he used to wage a long, often biting campaign for the recognition of Haiti.

Maxwell is survived by his wife and two children, Matthew, director of a small corporate communication company, and Katy, a film animator, both from a previous marriage.

Walk good Mr. Maxwell. Condolences to you grieving family, friends and associates.

Source: Jamaica Observer 

Raise the dead...........

Back in the day, I started this blog and and within a week had lost interest. It's not that I had nothing to say, far from it; it's just that in the greater scheme of things, at the time, with seemingly no instant interest in the blog i figured it was just a waste of time.


I've decided to resuscitate this blog,  forming my own online journal of my observations, opinions and any little interesting tidbit of life in "postmodern" Jamaica


More anon