Monday, 31 December 2012
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Sunday, 9 December 2012
Monday, 3 December 2012
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Killing the goose that lays the golden egg?
Killing the goose that lays the golden egg?....Jah know dem tek we fe fool....while dem a smoke weed inna US fe 'medical reasons'...pollice a lock man inna Jamaica....
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Marcus Mosiah Garvey - Man of Nobility
Every year in the month of October, Jamaicans celebrate National Heroes Day. How many of the National Heroes have criminal convictions on their record? Should the Government of Jamaica make high level representation to the US Government to exonerate Marcus Garvey? My article will provide some insights on Jamaica’s 1st National Hero, The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. “History is the land-mark by which we are directed into the true course of life.”
As West Indians and Jamaicans in particular it is important to appreciate our forefathers and the legacy they have left behind. ‘Legacy’ is a much used word in Jamaica today. Garvey’s legacy is undeniable; it is our responsibility to honour and celebrate him. “What you do today that is worthwhile, inspires others to act at some future time.” We note Garvey’s influence on the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Bob Marley.
Garvey was born in St.Ann’s Bay on August 18, 1887 to Marcus Garvey Snr. and Sarah Richards – later Garvey. He attended infant and elementary school in the said community, plus he got some private tutoring until the age of 14. Garvey worked firstly as a printer’s apprentice with his godfather after which he did odd jobs mostly in the print industry.
Garvey moved to Kingston around 1906 were his political interest was sparked. Garvey wrote letters to various newspapers in the island about issues affecting the poor in the country. These letters marked Garvey’s “entrance” unto the political scene in Jamaica. He also travelled to Central America in search of work, where the racism and exploitation meted out to blacks outraged him.
In 1912 Garvey left Jamaica for England. During his stay in England he worked on the docks in London and Liverpool with other West Indians and Africans. He also worked on the African Times and Orient Review, 2 monthly journals, owned by Duse Mohamed Ali. Colin Grant, posited that it was during this period that Garvey discovered the book that would be the most influential of his life "Up From Slavery". I read "Up From Slavery", Garvey was later to write, "and then I my doom - if I may call it - of being a race leader dawned on me". What he saw and experienced in London in 1914, transformed him, “my brain was on fire and there was a world of thought to conquer. I could not remain in London anymore”. He left for Jamaica he days later.
Immediately upon his return to Jamaica in 1914 he formed the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.) and the African Communities League to pursue his vision of “Africa for the Africans those at home and those abroad.” Colin Granted argued that "Garvey was a man in a hurry". During his brief sojourn in Jamaica he met Amy Ashwood, a seventeen year past student of Westwood High School for Girls.
In 1916, he went to the United States of America, he was joined sometimes after by Amy Ashwood. He married Amy Ashwood later in 1916. Few years later he separated from Amy Ashwood and married her close friend, Amy Jacques. Rupert Lewis noted that this journey to the USA was to be the decisive factor in Garvey’s political career. To further enhance his “Back to Africa” vision he opened UNIA offices in Harlem and other cities. Garvey started other projects such as The Negro World newspaper and most notably The Black Star Shipping Line to promote trade between blacks on both side of the Atlantic.
It is important to note that in the early 1920’s the U.N.I.A. was the single most powerful black organization in the U.S.A. Marcus Garvey was the first black man to mobilized African-Americans in America not Martin Luther King Jr.! Garvey's movement pre-dated Martin Luther King Jr., etc and the Montgomery Bus boycott in 1955.
In America Garvey recognised the influence of the Ku Klux Klan, and in early 1922, he went to Atlanta, Georgia, for a conference with KKK imperial giant Edward Young Clarke. Garvey had many run-ins with prominent Afro-Americans, most notable, W. E. B. Du Bois. In his book, " Negro With A Hat", Colin Grant noted that Du Bois wrote that "Garvey was an extraordinary leader of men...who with singular success has capitalised and made vocal the great and long suffering grievances and spirit of protest among the West Indian pesantry". Du Bois would later write that "Marcus Garvey is, without doubt, the most dangerous enemy of the Negro race in America and in the world. He is either a lunatic or a traitor."
While in the U.S.A. Garvey came to the attention of the FBI Director, J.Edgar Hoover who sought to have him deported. In 1923 Garvey was indicted for mail fraud, tried and convicted. He appealed but his appeal was dismissed. In 1925 he was sent to Federal Prison in Atlanta for 5 years. During his incarceration his new wife, Amy Jacques came up with the idea to put together a collection of his speech and epigrams. "The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" emerged.
Amy Jacques wrote a constant stream of letters to the US President and US Attorney General seeking a commutation of his sentence. In 1927, US Attorney General John Sargent complied a detail brief for then US President Coolidge. "Garvey's case was un-usual", Sargent opined, "the prosecution was designed for the protection of colored people whom it had charged Garvey had defrauded...none of these apparently believed they had been defrauded, and maintained steadfastly their confidence in Garvey". President Coolidge drew one conclusion from this brief, Garvey's sentence must be commuted to expire at once. There was one important caveat:Garvey must be set free on the understanding that he would be deported immediately. His sentence was commuted and on December 03, 1927 he was released and immediately deported to Jamaica. (A long time dem a deport Jamaicans from America!!).
Thousands of his supporters gathered to see Garvey go, journalists from numerous newspapers where also on hand to witness his departure. In his farewell speech, Garvey proclaimed, " I will leave America fully happy as when I came, in that my relationship with the Negro people was most pleasant and aspiring. My entire life will be devoted to the support of that cause."
Garvey's return to Jamaica was triumphant. The Daily Gleaner reported that " from morning...a mass crowded the thoroughfare Garvey was likely to pass." At Liberty Hall, the UNIA Headquarters Garvey made this emotional speech "They dragged me through the streets of Harlem like a common thief, but thou oh God of Ethiopia, who when the Assyrians spat upon thee and Jews jeered thee...it was a Negro who helped you to bear your cross. Can you forget the Negro now?".
In 1929 Garvey launched the People’s Political Party, Jamaica's first modern political party. He contested the local elections in 1929, which he won. Garvey had numerous run-ins with the authorises in Jamaica. On one occasion he was jailed for contempt. Garvey was involved in many ventures, he started the Blackman newspaper and the Black Man magazine to provide a voice for the powerless. Garvey was sidetracked by his finance woes, his headquarters, Edelweiss Park foreclosed on its mortgage and was sold in a public auction.
Garvey was disilussioned, Jamaica, he noted "was a place next to hell". He could not take it any longer and left for England later in 1935. London, was entirely different from his earlier visits. The UNIA was in disarray and did not have the sway over the Negroes it once had. Colin Grant noted, that to Amy Bailey, he confessed "I left Jamaica a broken man, broken in spirit, broken in health and broken in health...and I will never, never, never go back". He never returned, alive, Garvey died on June 10, 1940 a broken man.
In 1964, his remains were exhumed and taken to Jamaica. On 15 November 1964, the Government of Jamaica, having proclaimed him Jamaica's first national hero, re-interred him at a shrine in National Heroes Park.
Martin Luther King Jr., in a speech in while visiting Jamaica in 1965 he told the audience that Garvey "was the first man of colour to lead and develop a mass movement. He was the first man on a mass scale and level to give millions of Negroes a sense of dignity and destiny. And make the Negro feel he was somebody."
The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity. Men who are in earnest are not afraid of consequences.
References
1. Wikipedia Marcus Garvey profile. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
2. Garvey, Marcus; Jacques-Garvey, Amy (ed.) (1986). The philosophy and opinions of Marcus Garvey or Africa for the Africans. Dover (Massachusetts): Majority Press.
3. Grant, Colin (2009). Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey. London: Random House.
4. Lewis, Rupert. Marcus Garvey: Anti-Colonial Champion. Trenton, N.J.: Africa World Press, 1988
President Obama Challenges Musicians To Get Political
President Obama Challenges Musicians To Get Political.......Obama influenced by Bob Marley music in college...Trenchtown Rock!
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Redemption Songs
Bob Marley Redemption Song Lyrics
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfill the book.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
---
/Guitar break/
---
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfill the book.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.
The Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Significant down trees, billboards broken poles and down power lines on Mandela Highway. Overpass on to Washington Boulevard blocked JPS poles blocking the road. Stop lights at Duhaney Park intersection working, this indicates that some areas have light. Broken JPS pole in the vicinity of Charmers Ave. HWT Bus Park is closed, I have not seen any JUTC buses on the road. Stop lights in HWT not working, no visible signs of damage in that area. Persons on the road at the bus stops, the city is getting back to life. Lights in Cross Roads, the Mother's Restaurant is open. Coaster buses at the bus stop in Cross Roads...Only one death reported so far related to Hurricane Sandy.
I'm off to work!!
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Tropical Storm Sandy
Reports from The Weather Channel indicates that Tropical Storm Sandy will reach hurricane status by Wednesday, October 23, 2012. The country is under hurricane watch, with conditions expected to worsen over the next 24-36 hours.m Schools and most tertiary instutions will be closed on Wednesday. News reports have indicated that the police have announced islandwide curfew (why would anyone be outside during this weather?). Bog Walk Gorge had been closed from 8:30 pm tonight, until further notice.
I hope that persons have taken the necessary precautions, stocking up on tin foods, water, dry foods. For persons who might use candles if light is gone, pay close attention. Never leave the candle or lamp unattended. Assign a family member to blow out the candle or lamp before going to bed. We have seen significant lost of lifes during times like this, where unattended candle or lamp causes fire.
Charge your cellphones, turn up refridgerator to the highest level. Ensure that family members stay indoor during the hurricane passage.
Friday, 19 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Jamaica World Cup Campaign..even if the team get past this 1st round I don't think the team has depth to progress to the World Cup in Rio 2014. In the final round of 6, Jamaica will face Mexico, USA, Honduras, Costa Rica and maybe Canada. Let us look at the Jamaica's performance against the teams that we would possible face in the round of 6. Mexico, have dominated Jamaica over the past 20 yrs. Costa Rica, has consistently defeated the Reggae Boyz. USA, only recently Jamaica won its 1st match. Honduras and Canada are the only team that Jamaica in my opinion can defeat. Mexico and USA will get the 1st 2 spots, 3rd will go to Costa Rica, it is only the 4th spot that the Reggae Boyz will have a chance of getting, hoping for a play-off via confed play-offs. When one examine the development and progress of the other teams in the federation, Jamaica's program is lacking. Mexico has won World youth competition and Olympic gold. USA has players in top European League, Dempsey and Donovan comes readily to mind. Jamaica on the other hand, hopes 3rd division English players can become world beaters while playing for us.
When one look at the coach, Tappa Whitmore, it is evident that he doesnot possess the necessary knowledge and ability to lead the team. The team is lacking in a creative midfielder, someone to pull the string, ala Xavi. The goalkeeping is ridiculous.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
Patrick Wong former CEO, NWA claims that election demands forces JDIP spending spree (The Geaner). Mr. Wong stated that POLITICIANS were aware of the extra spending and did nothing. Projects were over budget by nearly US 95 million dollars between 2011-2012, that's nearly JAM 8 billion dollars. Reports indicate that renovation to the NWA office amounted to JAM 116 million, despite no provision in the contract for this expenditure.
SLB does not have adequate funds to provide loans to teritary students. Education Minister says people should plan for teritary education. Jobs not available, inflation high, utility prices the highest in this region, crime rampart. What are the plans? Where is the hope?
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