London-born, Oxford graduate, living in Kingston, Jamaica for 36 years. Writer, blogger, social media activist. A passion for human rights, the environment, climate change and issues affecting Small Island Developing States. Formerly Public Affairs Specialist at U.S. Embassy Kingston (16 years) and worked in publishing/retail book business (8 years).
Latest posts by Emma Lewis
The ball is back in Jamaica’s Appeals Court as UK Privy Council quashes dancehall star Vybz Kartel’s conviction
The Privy Council said “juror misconduct” was the primary reason for quashing the convictions since this would likely have affected the jurors’ reasoning and their verdict.
As Haiti's president prepares to step down, will CARICOM's new plan help his country?
Haiti's prime minister resigns amidst growing social unrest; can the involvement of the country's Caribbean neighbours make a difference?
Jamaican musicians and fans shocked at passing of soulful roots reggae singer ‘Peetah’ Morgan at age 46
The group became known globally as a “conscious” reggae band, with lyrics infused with social awareness backed by roots reggae rhythms.
‘The bass is the backbone': Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, bass player for Jamaica's iconic ‘Wailers’ band, passes away at 77
"[T]he world lost not just an iconic musician and the backbone of The Wailers but a remarkable human being whose legacy is as immense as his talent."
Celebrities, celebration, and a touch of controversy at the Jamaica premiere of the Marley biopic ‘One Love’
"Last night at the Jamaican premiere of #OneLoveMovie [...] you could sense that there was something special about his music [...] encapsulated in his anthem of One Love!"
Benjamin Zephaniah, a unique British poet with Caribbean roots and a wide appeal in a multicultural society, passes on at age 65
He became a beloved artist and performer who crossed all boundaries and sought to heal the fractured society engendered by colonialism, racism and social injustice.
As COP28 launches a Loss and Damage Fund, devastating rains highlight Caribbean islands’ increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts
The picture in Jamaica is similar to elsewhere in the Caribbean, where there are fears about food security as a result of repeated “natural disasters” caused by human-induced climate change.
Neville Garrick, the Jamaican artist who captured Bob Marley’s legacy in his designs, passes away at age 73
Garrick was famous for designing the vibrant covers for the reggae icon’s most acclaimed albums, but he was also a devout Rastafarian, political activist and creative.
Jamaicans express disappointment over their country’s ‘no-show’ UN Gaza vote
Jamaica was the only Caribbean nation to not vote on the UN resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.
An overseas media report reignites Jamaica's longstanding concern regarding limited beach access
Devon Taylor, founder of the advocacy group Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM), which recognises the cultural and historical aspects of Jamaica’s beaches, wants “the decolonisation of this land.”
‘Reggae Ambassador’ and founding member of legendary Jamaican band ‘Third World’, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, passes away
Cooper was "a maestro on the keyboards and collaborative composer [who] helped to take Jamaican music to higher levels of sophisticated instrumentation, appreciated and loved the world over."
A shooting, a robbery and a political resignation — all in one day — makes Jamaica examine issues of governance
The country's Integrity Commission is embroiled in controversy, so when one of its senior members was shot and robbed, many threads began to unravel.
Jamaican government swiftly returns a boat full of Haitians, as Caribbean officials express disappointment after latest talks
Thirty-six Haitian refugees landed in northeastern Jamaica on September 9 and were sent back two days later, while CARICOM noted the "alarming deterioration" of Haiti's security situation.
Jamaica's financial fraud investigation continues, but for affected investors — including Usain Bolt — the news is not good
Usain Bolt's lawyers say that his account value fell from JMD 2 billion (USD 12.7 million) in October 2022 to JMD 1.8 million (USD 12,000) in January 2023.
Unsustainable living in uptown Kingston, Jamaica
Global Voices contributor Emma Lewis is thinking of downsizing, but the cracks in the homes she's touring may point to more deep-seated issues around Kingston's "rash of new 'development'.”
As Jamaica reflects on 61 years of Independence, it also looks to its future
Jamaica has been independent of Britain since 1962, but is one of the few Caribbean territories that still retain the British monarch as head of state.
Caribbean art exhibit portrays the threatened beauty of the ocean as deep-sea mining negotiations come to an end in Jamaica
As the tense deliberations surrounding the International Seabed Authority (ISA)'s decision on deep-sea mining dragged on, a vibrant art exhibit brought the subject of the negotiations to life.
Haitian refugees land on Jamaican shores, while CARICOM’s efforts to help its troubled member state falter
"The anxiety among many social media commentators over the treatment of the refugees reflects an appreciation of the historical ties, and mixed feelings of admiration, helplessness, and obligation towards Haiti ..."
A ‘diplomatic tiff’ over same-sex marriage is downplayed, but differences on LGBTQ+ issues remain in the Jamaica-U.S. relationship
"While several Caribbean nations took positive steps towards recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in 2022, Jamaica was not among them.
Fish are poured into Jamaica's Rio Cobre after pollution incidents, but is this the end of the matter?
On three occasions, pollution from a bauxite company's holding ponds resulted in major fish kills and loss of livelihoods for communities depending on the Rio Cobre river.
In a first for Jamaica, Kwame McPherson is selected overall winner of the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize
McPherson's winning story, "Ocoee," is based upon historical events, taking its name from the Florida town that was the site of a horrible racially motivated attack in 1920.