Stories about Jamaica from May, 2009
Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands: Cruise Control
The popularity of cruises to Caribbean destinations gets Jamaican diaspora blogger Labrish thinking about “the overwhelm of the environment, marine and land, that these mega-cities-on-the-sea bring with them.”
Jamaica, Cuba: Amnesty International Report
Iriegal and Jamaica Salt comment on Amnesty International’s criticism of the Jamaican police force, while Havana Times notes that the organization”recognized…that the US blockade on Cuba has a negative effect on the general population.”
Jamaica: The Calabash Experience
“What was it about this year’s Calabash that still causes its many images and tones and textures to linger in my memory, refusing to leave?”: For Jamaica's Life, Unscripted, on the Rock, it was the entire literary experience.
Jamaica: Calabash & Language
Annie Paul blogs about Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival, at which some folks were offended by the colourful language in authors’ readings: “Does shielding young ears from words like pussy, bombaclaat, pumpum and other such words ensure a more sensitive, ethical adult? Especially when they can see for themselves the hypocritical,...
Jamaica: And now for the Bad News
“Former PM Edward Seaga was never accused of being a ray of sunshine when he was an active politician”: Jamaica and the World reports that Seaga's analysis of the island's economic situation leaves the current administration with “no soft options. No easy answers. No exit.”
Jamaica, Barbados: Calabash Kicks Off
Repeating Islands reports that leading off the readings at Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival this year will be “Jamaican writers Velma Pollard and Esther Phillips, and Bajan poet Millicent Graham.”
Jamaica: Look Behind
Jamaican diaspora blogger Labrish takes us to Cockpit Country, “The Land of Look Behind”.
Jamaica: By the Bye
Girl With a Purpose notes that Jamaica is in for another by-election, adding: “One unfortunate thing about this…is that Jamaicans will have to fork out another JMD $40 million, or more, for the Electoral Office of Jamaica to administer it.”
Jamaica: Discussing Human Rights
“Traditionally, the discussion of human rights in Jamaica has been conducted in what may be considered ‘the privileged voice'”: Raw Politics…Jamaica Style! questions the value of this norm.
Jamaica: The Ananda Alert
Jamaica's Yardflex.com finally sees “a glimmer of light on the horizon when it comes to the protection of our children.”
Jamaica: Big Money?
“It is a sign of the times, showing how Jamaica’s economy is suffering, devalued you could say”: Jamaica Salt says that the country's new 5,000 dollar bank note is “not much to celebrate”.
Jamaica: Thief!
“Some police, no wonder why the crime rate in Jamaica is so high. When you call them you can't get an answer and when they do finally arrive…they are basically of no use”: Stunner recounts the details of an attempted robbery.
Jamaica: Dead and Gone…Where?
“You know crime is bad when there’s nowhere to put the bodies”: Jamaica Salt explains.
Caribbean: Bloggers React to Walcott's Withdrawal
St. Lucian-born Derek Walcott is truly a West Indian man. He has been embraced by literature lovers of countless other regional territories who identify with his writing and see the nuances of the Caribbean come alive in his work. Which was why his Nobel Prize win for Literature in 1992 seemed like a regional victory - and why his withdrawal from the tight race for the coveted position of Oxford Professor of Poetry has left a bad taste in many bloggers' mouths.
Jamaica: Bolt Takes to the Street
Girl With a Purpose congratulates Jamaica's Usain Bolt on his impressive win at the 150 meter Manchester Street Race.
Jamaica, Dominican Republic: Whale Watching
“Most well meaning individuals who seek out whale watching and other ecotourism activities are not aware of the potential danger that wildlife watching can cause”: Jamaican diaspora blogger Labrish expains.
Jamaica: Screwed?
While Life, Unscripted, on the Rock is “fully aware that everything is certainly not copacetic here in Jamaica”, she takes issue with an international mainstream media article that she describes as “a totally skewed portrayal” of the island.
Cuba, Jamaica: Examining the Revolution
“What has the Cuban Revolution achieved for the people of the country, the Caribbean and the wider world after 50 years in power?” Jamaican diaspora blogger Mark Lee, writing at Abeng News Magazine, attempts to find out.
Jamaica: Dealing with Crime?
Jamaica Salt is not convinced by the National Security Minister's approach to solving crime.
Jamaica: The Road Most Traveled
“Universities are supposed to provide hope that at least the coming generation will be better and brighter than the one so corrupted now”: The Phoenix in a Gas House is disappointed that young academics “opted for the ignorant draconian approach” when faced with a burglary incident at Jamaica's Mona campus.
St. Lucia, Jamaica: Indian Arrival Day
Repeating Islands blogs about the celebration of Indian Arrival Day in St. Lucia & Jamaica.
