Stories about Jamaica from April, 2008
Jamaica: Red Stripe Pulls Support
Jamaican beer Red Stripe has ceased sponsorship of one of island's biggest musical events, Reggae Sumfest, “which it describes as facilitators of ‘violent and anti-social’ lyrics”. Stunner's Afflictions says: “I applaud Red Stripe for this bold move in an attempt to stem the…violent behavior being projected by some of these...
Jamaica: Rising Prices
Stunner's Afflictions blogs about the rising price of flour in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.
Jamaica, China: The Politics of Sport
“What does it say about us that we are willing to put human rights on hold just so we can have something to watch on TV for two weeks? If you ignore what China is doing in Tibet aren’t you in some way responsible?”: Jamaican Marlon James focuses the spotlight...
Jamaica, Montserrat, Trinidad & Tobago: Markham Passes On
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp acknowledges the passing of E.A. (Archie) Markham, “a Caribbean literary giant”, while Nicholas Laughlin at Antilles says: “I deeply regret never having the chance to meet him, to match the wry, generous voice of his poems, fiction, and correspondence to the wryly generous man.”
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Canada: iTunes Boycott
“In another blow to the controversial dancehall music industry, iTunes Canada has pulled several songs from major Jamaican dancehall singers…which contain lyrics glorifying violence against gays”: Caribbean Beat Blog says that the Jamaican government appears unfazed.
Jamaica: Marley Matriarch Passes On
YardFlex.com acknowledges the passing of Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley's mother.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Woman of the Year
“In spite of the negativity surrounding Jamaica…there is one more reason to be proud”: YardFlex.com reports that a Jamaican has been chosen by the American Biographical Institute as their Woman of the Year in Education.
Jamaica: More Poetry
Geoffrey Philp features the work of Jamaican writer Opal Palmer Adisa.
Jamaica: Singing Obama's Praises
YardFlex.com reports that a popular Jamaican singer has composed a song honouring Barack Obama.
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, DR: Junot Wins Pulitzer
Both Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp and Trinidad & Tobago blog Antilles report that Junot Diaz has won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.
Jamaica: Film Without Music?
“After Rita Marley sold her book to The Weinstein Company as basis for a Bob Marley biopic, she says the deal did not include any rights to the Legend's music…”: Abeng News Magazine reports.
Jamaica, Canada: Homosexual Boycott?
“I do not want any public campaign telling the children of Jamaica that homosexuality is alright…I don't want to see two men kissing in public, nor two women joining hands in marriage…” Stunner's Afflictions puts in his two cents’ worth on news that a leading human rights organisation in Canada...
Jamaica, Cuba: Lois Lane
Jamaican blogger Geoffrey Philp features the poetry of Cuban-born Celia Lisset Alvarez.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: MLK 40 years Later
Jamaican blog Abeng News Magazine honours Martin Luther King by sharing people's recollections of April 4, 1968, while Something Extra remembers when Dr. King visited Jamaica.
Jamaica: Explosive Material
“In this post 9/11 world it is hard to brush off any incident,” says Can a Jamaican take Cali? as blogs about the alleged Jamaican bomb-maker.
Bermuda, Jamaica: Garveyism
“Instead of people coming together to create a better society regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation etc, they would have us descend further back into tribalism and sectarianism”: A Radical in Bermuda discusses what he sees as “the problem with Garveyism.”
Jamaica, Cuba: Pau-Llosa's Poetry
As part of National Poetry Month, Jamaican Geoffrey Philp features the work of Cuban poet Ricardo Pau-Llosa.
Jamaica: Racial Stereotypes
Ragashanti, a popular talk show host, invited listeners to weigh in on the topic of Indians in Jamaica – and the barrage of racist slurs by callers has caused an outcry. Blogger Annie Paul‘s take on all this is “that in the haste to censor if not prosecute Raga…the important...
Jamaica: Reviewing Goodison
Geoffrey Philp features an excerpt from The New York Times review of Jamaican poet Lorna Goodison's most recent book.