· September, 2008

Stories about Jamaica from September, 2008

Jamaica: Power Struggle

  30 September 2008

“Portia Simpson-Miller…represents to the elite and middle class in Jamaica what Obama represents to white, bible-thumping, gun-toting mainstream America. Which is worse I wonder: To be black (socially speaking) in a black country or to be black in a white country?” Annie Paul provides thoughtful commentary on the recent opposition...

Jamaica: Dirty Water

  27 September 2008

“Ever since the passing of tropical storm Gustav, my tap water has never been the same”: Jamaican blogger Stunner is having water woes.

Jamaica: Child Missing

  27 September 2008

After an eleven year-old girl goes missing in Kingston, Abeng News Magazine examines the plight of Jamaica's children: “With no inclination to tackle the complexity of the issues involved and no plan in sight to deal squarely with the crime menace…the youth will remain at the top of the island's...

Barbados, Jamaica, U.S.A.: Political Issues

  25 September 2008

Living in Barbados says that the recent battle for leadership in Jamaica's opposition party proves “that the overlapping values of candidates’ religion, race, gender, class, colour, speech, perceived intelligence and such personal characteristics–may play out in our little garden of politics at least as much as we think they do...

Jamaica: More Corrupt?

  24 September 2008

As the 2008 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) rankings are released, My View of JamDown from Up So asks, “Which party deserves the bulk of blame for the increased perception of Jamaican corruption?”

Jamaica: Post-Portia

  23 September 2008

“The whole class battle is already history and vanishes with Portia. Still, we will hear about it as long as Portia is leader of the PNP…”: Jamaica and the World examines the aftermath of the opposition's party's leadership elections.

Jamaica: Portia Prevails

  22 September 2008

Both Active Voice and My View of JamDown from Up So blog about former Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller's victory over “the unprecedented leadership challenge by long-time party stalwart Dr. Peter Phillips.”

Jamaica: Slaves

  22 September 2008

Jamaican Geoffrey Philp has “had enough of these latter day heroes whose bravery exists only in their febrile imaginations. They denigrate the memory of our ancestors who sucked salt, bore the whip and the yoke of slavery, and invented stories in the dark so that one day their children could...

Jamaica: Short Story

  18 September 2008

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp recommends “a good short story grounded in Caribbean reality, history and mythology.”

Jamaica, U.S.A.: Poor Sportsmanship

  17 September 2008

“I think he forgot (that in) 2003 he failed several drug tests that questioned the validity of his achievements. Sometimes folks think what you are doing is what they are doing”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah is not impressed by former US sprinter Carl Lewis’ insinuations about Jamaican Olympic...

Jamaica: Mining Woes

  17 September 2008

Abeng News Magazine reports that communities along Jamaica's North Coast are concerned about plans for bauxite mining and the construction of an alumina plant in the parish of St. Ann: “Some residents complained that negotiations were proceeding without consultation with the people who would be affected by the proposed mining...

Jamaica: Too Much Free Time?

  11 September 2008

“Too much human resource seems to be wasting away, which is quite evident not only from Usain's reception crowd, but by the parties and dances that are kept every single night of the week”: Stunner's Afflictions has mixed feelings about Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt's homecoming.

Jamaica, U.S.A.: In Memoriam

  11 September 2008

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp is saddened over the passing of American poet Reginald Shepherd and also posts a poem in memory of the 9-11 firefighters, who lost their lives seven years ago today.

Jamaica, Guyana: Bolt Welcomed Home

  10 September 2008

“The rain didn't stop Usain Bolt's return ‘back a yawd’. People lined the road from Norman Manley Airport all the way to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah reports on the Olympic Gold Medalist's triumphant return home, as do YardFlex.com and Guyana 360.

Jamaica: Soon Come

  10 September 2008

“For me, this was like staring into a mirror and recognizing myself for the first time”: Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp reviews Hugh Hodges’ Soon Come, which he says “provides a useful context for understanding Jamaican religions such as Myal, Kumina, Revivalism, and Rastafari and their connection with the work of...

Jamaica, Guyana: New Publishing House?

  9 September 2008

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp reports that “as publishing opportunities for Caribbean writers continue to shrink…Derek Walcott, David Dabydeen, and Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo have agreed to pursue the development of a Caribbean publishing house located in Guyana.”