Stories about Jamaica from December, 2009
Caribbean: 2009 Regional Roundup
As Global Voices celebrates its fifth anniversary, the occasion has given us all an opportunity to reflect on why we do what we do and how our work makes a difference. As my colleague Jillian York so succinctly put it, “We spread stories. We spread words.” We manage to do...
Jamaica: Over Hills and Valleys
Trinidadian diaspora blogger Afrobella blogs about reggae superstar Buju Banton at his best and worst, prompting Jamaican Annie Paul to respond: “Just as you…have pointed out the good and bad sides of Buju…it's necessary also to nuance what homosexuality represents in cultures such as Jamaica, that homosexuality too has its...
Bahamas, Jamaica: Jonkonnu & Christmas
“We tend to forget — or, more probably, we don’t know — that Junkanoo in the Bahamas is not unique”: Nicolette Bethel provides “a taste of what happens in Jamaica at Christmas…”
Barbados: Facilitating Crime
“Like any social secret the criminal persists because of the facilitators. So, our challenge should be to deal with the facilitators”: Living in Barbados examines “the crime of crime” in the Caribbean.
Jamaica: Crash Landing
Jamaican bloggers discuss the crash of an American Airlines jet in Kingston.
Barbados, Jamaica: Economic Impact
“Jamaica's political leaders are looking down the barrel of a gun; or staring into an abyss; or stuck between a rock and hard place”: Living in Barbados says that “once again, solutions are being sought to the country's seemingly intractable economic problems.”
Jamaica: Stealing Christmas
“Instead of being merry and enjoying the upcoming season, Jamaicans have been plunged into a solemn mood, by a picture painted with more hardship for the poor and the struggling working class of this island”: Stunner says a new tax measure by the Golding government “will definitely put a serious...
Jamaica: Shock Over Buju
Annie Paul republishes a Facebook post by Sarah Manley about why Buju Banton is Jamaica: “After reading this you will hopefully understand better why this country is reeling with shock in the aftermath of Buju's imprisonment in the United States.”
Jamaica: The Good and the Bad
The good and the bad: The Phoenix in a Gas House reports that dancehall artist Buju Banton has been officially indicted for cocaine possession, while Letter From Jamaica is pleased that Usain Bolt is a runner-up in TIME magazine's Person of the Year.
Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Police Boots
Jamaican Annie Paul and Abeni from St. Vincent and the Grenadines blog about police brutality in their respective islands.
Jamaica: Buju Arrested
Regional bloggers react to news that dancehall star Buju Banton has been arrested on cocaine possession charges.
Caribbean: New Media & Celebrity Fascination
The fascination with celebrities has always been at a fever pitch, but in the current age of new media and consumer-generated content, it’s at an all-time high. While Caribbean bloggers do not tend to overly focus on gossip, they often tune in on the current story at hand.
Jamaica: Testing the Windies
“Well, well, well, what was previously thought to be impossible in international cricket, actually happened, today”: Jamaica's Girl With A Purpose congratulates the West Indies cricket team on drawing the second test match with Australia.
Jamaica, Bermuda: Talking Climate
Labrish Jamaica and Bermuda's Vexed Bermoothes comment on the climate change talks, which began yesterday in Copenhagen.
Jamaica: Gaza/Gully Truce
Regional bloggers are all over the truce between the Gaza/Gully factions of Jamaican dancehall.
Jamaica: Climate Awareness
“IT'S no secret that we could treat our island and its environment a little better, not least in terms of energy consumption”: Letter From Jamaica is heartened by the fact that the island “is becoming more sensitive to the issue.”
Jamaica: Cricket Combating Crime?
Jamaica Salt lauds Courteney Walsh for “using cricket to reach young people in 12 inner city communities and offenders in Jamaica’s prisons”, but wonders “Is it really a game that can be a real ambition for young inner city boys, for youth offenders?”
Jamaica: Dry as a Bone
“I'm glad we didn't get a hurricane, but also we didn't get not even one good tropical wave to replenish the reservoirs and quench the thirst of the parched land!”: Stunner reports on Jamaica's drought.
Caribbean: World AIDS Day
Regional bloggers discuss World AIDS Day.