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Personality Politics in Jamaican Elections

Since the emergence of P.J. Patterson, personality related slogan seems to have taken over vis a vis the Manley (Better Must Come) and Seaga (“Deliverance is Near”). What does this signify about Jamaican contemporary politics? The above was the question posed by a political reporter at the Jamaica Gleaner. I do not particularly support the … Continue reading »

Daunting Task for Jamaica’s New PM

Which will be tougher for Andrew Holness over the short to medium term – the task of leading the JLP or his role as Prime Minister? This  was the question posed of me by the Jamaica Gleaner recently. This is my response:   _________ Both tasks are tough. Yet an election must first be prepared … Continue reading »

When Issues Become Crises: Reggae’s Delayed Response

Following my presentation at the recent Reggae Conference on ‘Reggae’s Crisis of Image : What Role for Public Relations and Crisis Management’ and its reproduction in the The Sunday Observer of February 21, 2010, I was invited to discuss the issue on TVJ’s Morning Time programme. It was an invitation I accepted since it is … Continue reading »

Reneto Adams: From ‘Bad Man Police’ to Police Commissioner?

“You have to be firm. You have to use some force where it is necessary and you have to know how to use it. Civil society has lost control in Jamaica, so you have to have a firm strong personality [referring to the job of Police Commissioner] who knows strategy and tactic and who knows … Continue reading »

Caribbean Nationals Energise North Queensland (Australia)

“That dude with the Rasta head band is Trini”, the operator of Jamaica Joes restuarant and pub in the North Queensland city of Townsville Australia, American Christopher Haddad, shouted to me in a packed pub of Australians out in numbers to watch the Townsville Air show put on by the Australian Defence Force (Townsville hosts … Continue reading »

Dismantling Donmanship in Jamaica: Is it possible and what shall it take?

I have been reading with great interest the raft of discussions surrounding the potential extradition of Jamaica’s premier don, ‘Dudus’ (aka The President) to the United States to face drug trafficking and weapons smuggling charges. What concerns me is the pervasive thinking, especially by the intellectual class that this somehow would unravel the ‘peace’ in … Continue reading »

Lymie Murray Rocks Sonoma County; Celebrates release of album, ‘Deeper Roots’

A rapt audience of dancing and screaming young fans packed the Sebastiani Theatre in California’s wine country of Sonoma  on Monday July 6 for a concert to celebrate the upcoming release of Lymie Murray’s fourth album, Deeper Roots. The inspired Jamaican reggae crooner did not disappoint.  With a scintillating two- hour performance, Lymie Murray stamped … Continue reading »

Ode to “Quasheba”: Resistance Rituals Among Higgler Women in Jamaica

This is an excerpt from my chapter in the book: On the Edges of Development: Cultural Interventions, New York: Routledge, 2009. (eds. John Foran, Priya Kurian, Debashish Munshi, & Kum Kum Bhavnani). The volume examines the struggles undertaken by the subaltern class across the Third World (Thailand, Jamaica, India etc) to challenge the deficits of globalisation and to improve their economic and socio-political status.

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‘We Jammin’ – A Note to IOC Chairman Jacque Rogge

 You may have to check out this link first in order to fully appreciate the interventions I make here: http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/track_field/news?slug=dw-rogge082108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns I think everyone who has met a Jamaica knows all too well that there is no shortage of confidence in the Jamaican people. Bolt is the quintessential Jamaican  who loves life and gives voice to all that … Continue reading »

Lest we forget ASAFA POWELL !

Congratulations to Usain Bolt! He has renewed our nation’s confidence, and reclaimed respect for Jamaica’s long and proud history of achievement in World Athletics, and our historical place and presence among the global community. But lest we collectively forget, in our (justified) stampede to crown Usain Bolt our new black King of the track, it … Continue reading »