Birthday lyme

 In Jamaica we have a saying “good fren better dan pocket money.”

 That’s oh so true.

Unfortunately, I don’t have that many persons I consider good fren. But among that cherished few is Janice. I met her almost thirty years ago, when we were rookie realtors with the then trend setting C.D. Alexander LTD., one of Jamaica’s oldest real estate companies.

One reason why we clicked immediately was because we both shared the same maiden name Marshall. Her large family has produced several male footballers (soccer) who have not only played for Jamaica, but also many clubs and colleges in the USA, even coaching at some. However, we couldn’t find any blood relationship between us. Maybe it’s because her family originated from the big city, Kingston, and mine from rural Jamaica, St. Elizabeth.

The main reason Janice is so dear to me though, is because she is one of those who was there for me 27 years ago when my only son Thor was murdered.

Persons who have lost a child know that there can never be a greater personal tragedy. So those who helped to keep you sane, have a special place in your heart.  Even if they don’t remember the role they played, you never forget!

That was such a tragic period in my life that I have often thought that I have a duty to help others who have been down that terrible road, by writing about the difficult road to recovery. I started to do so about two years ago but hadn’t finished. However, just a few weeks ago, I made up my mind to get back to the task when I return from Jamaica in August 2022. It will be called “Rising from the Ashes.”

But I am straying, aren’t I?😏

Janice unda mi han. She gave me 6 love later😓

I wondered off into this space however as I looked at these fun photos of us having a wonderful time last night to enjoy Pierre’s birthday.

 Birthday boy and his girlfriend. A proud mom records the moment

Pierre is Janice’s son and since I have virtually become a member of her family, I am always happy to be included in their activities. Besides she her sister, brother (missing last night) and I are all domino fanatics.

As I said good fren better Dan pocket money so it’s always so I  must always cherish those moments I spend with the few people who fall in that category.

Memories.

Kicking off the 60th.

 I love Jamaica Festival when we celebrate Jamaica’s independence from Britain.

I bet persons my age and older never forget where they were that night when the British flag was lowered and ours unfurled.

I know I can never forget, as I got in serious trouble.

Those were the days before cel phones and some friends and I sneaked away from St. Elizabeth and drove all the way to Denbeigh in Clarendon to enjoy the festivities.

We had a wonderful time but the repercussions were lasting.😢

We drove down to celebrate.

Anyway, I look forward to every festival celebration, the festival songs, the comradery, the street dancing, everything.

Last night, friends and I drove down to Miramar to help them kick off their festivities.

Miramar is a city in Broward Country, Florida which could probably be described as Kingston 22 . It has a population of around 135,00 but I bet the majority are Jamaicans as the mayor is Jamaican as are the other  4 elected commissioners who run the city.

Apart from the festivities, I was  drawn to the event by an item in the program indicating that the leader of the opposition from Jamaica, Mark Golding, would be saying a few words.

Mr. and Mrs Golding

Yu know, though retired, mi have the politrix inna mi blood still😁.

The event kicked off outside with refreshments,  music from Florida’s greatest Mento band, Tallawah, led by the versatile Colin Smith and much comradery.

Tallawah got things going

Then we repaired into the auditorium where the mayor of Miramar welcomed everyone and Wayne Armond, former leader of one of Jamaica’s best dance bands, Chalice, sang both the Jamaican and American National Anthems.

Wayne Armond sang the anthems.

Then Golding spoke.

I had never seen him in person nor heard him speak before, but he has a bad media image, so I was curious.

Normally when the politicians travel abroad, they are full of it.

It's normally all about how great they are and how terrible the other side is.

I was pleasantly surprised though as Golding did not go down that road at all. Instead, he spoke about our powerful culture, our influence throughout the world , our great philosophers like Garvey, and the need for us to unite to realize our full potential.

Wow, totally off the usual script.

It made me wonder if prime minister Holness, who is a post-independence baby too and whom I had never seen in person or heard speak live, has a similar outlook.

For that would really bode well for Jamaica.

Next came good entertainment by  Jamaica Folk Review, backed by Tallawah. 

Some young energetic dancers then followed.

Internationally famous dub poet Malachai  who never fails to excite, did two numbers.

Malachi on form

Some fashions were on display but the popular ones were Queen Nanny and Garvey.

Then Wayne Armond really riled up the crowd.

He had the auditorium on its feet as he pumped out popular revivalist and festival songs.

Then it was back outside for the street dance with music provided by a local Florida sound system.

They delivered popular festival songs, but the vibes of a real Jamaican street dance were not really there although we enjoyed ourselves.

It was a good start but I look forward to the real Mckoy in a few weeks back on the Rock.

Happy to see my long lost friend Norris.

Opposition spokesman on security appeared distracted

The police were on hand    

                

                                        

                                             

Scratching each others back!

 

There are two popular concepts that come to mind, whenever I think of Jamaican politics.

They are; you scratch my back and I will scratch yours and the other is honor among thieves. While it was William Shakespeare who popularized the latter in the end of the 1500s in his play Henry IV, Jamaican PNP and JLP politicians have adopted it whole heartedly and been applying it religiously since we got independence sixty years ago.

Yup, we will be celebrating that great event with much fanfare in a few weeks!

In the meantime, the country continues to be impoverished by corruption which is estimated to cost us in excess of $100 billion per year.

Don’t be taken in by what the politicians say about each other from the platforms or in parliament! That is just for show, for when it comes to what most politicians want, ie. the spoils of office, it’s a different ballgame.

In fact, if a being came from Mars, it could be excused for thinking that Jamaica is the least corrupt country in the world, since all over the world it sees reports of politicians being jailed for corruption, but never Jamaica, no matter what the Auditor General finds or how many spots we slide down on the Transparency International Perception of Corruption Index.

I know, people like to point to the late JAG Smith, a former JLP Minister of Labor who was imprisoned in 1990, supposedly for stealing Farm Worker’s money.

BUT HE WAS NOT JAILED FOR CORRUPTION but for being rude and abusive to an influential member of the PNP which then formed the government!

For in true “honor among thieves’ style, the powerful late trade unionist, former prime minister Hugh Lawson Shearer and his bosom friend, the late Michael Manley who was then prime minister, had arranged that it would be swept under the carpet. Unfortunately, Smith’s legendary arrogance caused him to be abusive to the final arbiter on the matter in the PNP government and that is why it was pursued and Smith imprisoned!

In the meantime, our neighbors take corruption so seriously, that on the 8 July 2022, our own Jamaica Observer carried this item on how a former prime minister of Trinidad, allegedly involved in corruption there, is being treated in his country. It says in part “September 2 (2022) the court is to give a ruling to an application by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) George Busby, who has requested an adjournment into the restart of a decades-old preliminary inquiry into corruption charges against former prime minister Basdeo Panday and three others, including his wife, Oma.”

Since there is no penalty in our political system for corruption despite the numerous cases that have been cited publicly over the years, the politicians do as they like and remain untouchable. 

Our legendary corruption is not only widely known in Jamaica but in the neighboring islands, for look at this headline in the St. Kitts and Nevis Observer in 2019; “Jamaica Losing $J100 Billion Annually from Crime, Corruption.”

And yes, we do have a so-called Integrity Commission, but guess what, it is being gagged and deterred from doing its job by guess who? The Jamaican parliamentarians JLP and PNP alike of course. (You scratch my back and I will scratch yours).

This recently led our Financial Investigation Division to say in frustration that ‘the work of agencies of Government in the fight against corruption was being hamstrung by the need to seek ministerial approval before they can exchange information on investigations. The FID said where the Integrity Commission needs to exchange information with designated competent authorities or foreign entities for legitimate investigations, it should not be hindered, and that the Act needs to be amended to remove this stumbling block in the fight against corruption”.

Also, according to reports coming out of parliament last week, when the Integrity Commission Bill was being considered, there was consensus between the Government and the Opposition to curtail the ability of the commission to speak about its investigations until probes were completed and reports tabled in Parliament.

This, despite Justice Panton and numerous other pointing out that;

“The Commission is firmly of the view that this is a serious impediment to good governance.” “... It is clearly ridiculous that whereas the police, quite rightly, can say that they are investigating a criminal matter, the Integrity Commission is not allowed to say it is.”

The politicians remain firmly determined to keep secret whether any of the numerous allegations of corruption, are being investigated, thus preventing members of the public or even whistleblowers from coming forward with information.

So, whereas, the public is often exhorted with these fine words in the interest of fighting crime; ‘If you know something say something,’ that only applies where the alleged criminals are mere plebs, not politicians.

So yes, politicians shout about the corruption from the rooftops, but you scratch my back and I will scratch yours, remains the dominant feature of the Jamaican parliamentary practice.

And the people perish.

 

 

Joan Williams, is a retired talk show host. She can be contacted at; gratestj@gmail.com or followed at; Joan my-views.blogspot.com

 

Don't blame Yoga!

About forty years ago, I was introduced to group of Indian 'missionaries' from the Ananda Marga organization.

I had never heard about them before but they explained that it was a global spiritual and social service organization founded in 1955 by a Shrii Shrii Anandamurti.  Their mission they said, was to teach self-realization (individual emancipation) and be of service to humanity through the fulfillment of the physical, mental and spiritual needs of the people.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

Through its meditation centers and service projects around the world, Ananda Marga offered instruction in meditation, Yoga and other self-development practices.

Jamaica had been selected for one of their projects which also involved setting up a basic school in a depressed area.

I had never heard about Yoga before but soon learnt that it was a practice derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” meaning yoke or union.

Through this ancient practice, one mastered the art of bringing mind and body through breathing exercises, meditation and poses designed to encourage relaxation and reduce stress.

As it sounded harmless enough, I decided to give Yoga a try and have never turned back since.

For not only has Yoga helped me physically through discipline and meditation but mentally as well.

In fact, when I had the devastating experience of having my only son being murdered twenty-seven years ago, I really don’t think I could ever have survived mentally, had I not learnt to de-stress through Yoga.

So for me, Yoga has always been synonymous with goodness and upliftment.

That is why I was so shocked on reading about Kaitlin Armstrong.

In case you have not been following the news, she is a Texas Yoga instructor who allegedly gunned down a romantic rival in a jealous rage! She then escaped to Costa Rica, where she was found hiding out and studying Yoga with an altered appearance from apparent cosmetic surgery.

She was returned to Texas and is now facing a murder charge.

Oh yes, I know all about being innocent until proven guilty and there being exceptions to every rule, but to me personally, for the teacher of something so dear to me as Yoga, to be even suspected of committing such violence, still remains a shock.

Of course, nothing could ever change my love for Yoga or the natural affinity I feel to people all over the world who practice or teach this wonderful art, for I have always been grateful to Ananda Marga for introducing it to me.

It is regretful that I am unable to continue to share my practice with them, but I am no longer in Jamaica or close to one of their centers overseas, but religiously go to classes wherever I am.

You see, for me personally who once had such an explosive personality, Yoga certainly saved me from committing violent acts which I had so often been urged to do over the years, while giving me peace of mind when I needed it most.

I guess that’s why I feel resentful every time the news media emphasizes the fact that this lady was a Yoga instructor.

As if Yoga had something to do with her possibly falling over the edge!

 

 

 

Jamaica, a gem

I remember how surprised I was some years ago, listening to someone from Grace Kennedy Ltd. a radio interview saying there were kids in Rae Town, which is near their Harbor Street headquarters, who had never been above Cross Roads in Kingston.

He was speaking about one of Grace’s outreach programs which involves after school activities in the nearby inner cities, where many kids were extremely marginalized. His tale about Cross Roads, arose as he was speaking about a discovery he made when  they took some kids from the area to Hope Gardens.

That eye opener came back to me today as I was speaking to a fellow Jamaican who I met in Ft. Lauderdale Florida.

She was in her early seventies’ and had migrated from Jamaica about forty years ago, after having her children.

The usual conversation between Jamaicans who meet overseas, always comes around to what part of Jamaica we each hail from.

 She told me she was from Kingston, Vineyard Town to be exact. What shocked me though was when she admitted that she had never visited any of Jamaica’s twelve other parishes!

Wow, I wonder if it is because I was from the country, St. Elizabeth, to be precise , why I assumed there was no Jamaican who had never been to another parish?           For I am positive that Just about every country person must have visited the capital, Kingston, if for no other reason, to conduct business. For all major departments are located there and very few have country branches. So, to get anything done, you have to travel to Kingston via other parishes, even if you don’t stop!                               Or maybe it is that I am unusually faas so must always know as much as possible about any place I am!😅

When I enquired how come she had never traveled to another parish she said her entire family was in Kingston, so she had no reason to go elsewhere.

Makes sense I guess, but it left me wondering how many thousands of my fellow Jamaicans had a similar story.

I used to look down on some Americans as being parochial and backwards when I heard they had never been outside their state. But America is huge by comparison so I guess that’s comparing apples and oranges.

That’s the point though, for with Jamaica is so small, it’s hard to comprehend what restricts adults from moving around our tiny, beautiful island which some people ride around and even walk around without much stress!

If its even for school outings.

When I was at school, we often traveled by bus to other places to participate in sports or to cheer on our teams.

Lots of schools had outings. I remember running into about 50 kids at Green Grotto Caves in Discovery Bay. They told me they were from a primary school in Kingston and were on a school outing.

Paul Bogle's museum in Stony Gut, abandoned!

I really think such think school outings should be as much a part of school activities as math and English. How it would foster pride in our country with its unique natural beauty among other things, if we all new about this little paradise of ours.

Many decades ago, when I went to school, Civics was also part of the curriculum. Every child knew something about the structure of the country, its government etc. Now it seems such general knowledge is mainly restricted to those who are being prepared for things like School Challenge Quiz.

What a shame. There is so much more to our country than crime and violence.

If the Ministry of Education made provisions for school outings, I am sure important institutions  like the White Marl Museum in St. Catherine and Paul Bogle’s Memorial at Stony Gut would not be closed down because of lack of visitors.

Maybe I am being simplistic but I am positive that if we knew more about our gem known as Jamaica, we would   cherish it more and not allow politicians not make such a mess of it!

Would we?

4th of July

This year, I went to my first Fourth of July event, since becoming a citizen of the USA.

This was hosted by Tamarac City at the Sports Complex. The package included lots of music and at nine pm, fireworks.

                                    

The music was provided by the Cachet Band, which has been in business for over 20 years and describes itself as playing a wide range of musc.

                                    

This is a really high energy band with excellent musicians and singers who had the audience getting up off their feet and rocking on a regular basis, as they belted out popular pop and Latin music.

Posing with Mayor Michelle

As a Jamaican, I was however very disappointed that they never played even one Reggae piece of music much less Soca or Calypso!

For one of the things I love about the city of Tamarac, is how integrated it is with a mixture of born American and host of Latinos and Caribbean people all living together in harmony.

The Mayor was everywere

Tamarac has a very good Mayor too in the person of Michelle Gomez. Not only is she high energy and an excellent Mayor, but also, I have been to City Hall where I have observed that the workers there represent all the groups that make up this great city.

So having Cachet, as good as they were, dissing us Caribbean people, really hurt!

Ours was a peaceful, family day. 

I say that, as these days, living in America and going to events where two or three are gathered, can be hazardous to your health and life.

Look at what happened in Chicago as Americans gathered to celebrate their special day.

In case you have not heard, this was the day that a vicious killer, allegedly a Robert Crimo 111, climbed on to the roof of a building in Highland Park, in the northern suburbs of Chicago, and using a rifle made for warfare, murdered seven people and injured 31 others, who had simply gone out with their families to enjoy an independence parade.

This is just another occasion in which much less persons could be killed or harmed if ordinary civilians were not allowed to purchase and carry rapid fire weapons of war.

But the Republicans, who are in the pocket of the NRA, (National Rifle Association) refuse to keep these weapons off the streets.

It was therefore not surprising that this latest alleged  murderer was a Republican who frequented Trump rallies as numerous pictures and videos have emerged showing him present there.

We in Tamarac are grateful that our event was peaceful and full of comradery and good music.

There were a number of officers from the Sherriff’s department constantly circling the grounds on golf cars, so if that is what contributed to us having a peaceful fun filled family affair appropriately finished off with half hour of quality fireworks lighting up the skies, we are thankful.

Jungle Queen flex

The dinner cruise of the Jungle Queen is by far the best value or money I have seen in 

Florida.

Of course, I could be unkind and say that since they have been at it since 1935, it should be. But that isn’t necessarily true at all. So, whoever operates this fling must be credited for monitoring things daily to ensure that it does not go awry. 

The operators have a pictoral journey of the cruise from 1935

I had the opportunity to go on that cruise in July 2022, when it was organized by the planner extraordinaire, Charlene Nevaomski of the Tamarac Senior Center.

Everything from that side went perfectly and my only complaint is that we were boarded so early on the boat that we had to sit in the sun for quite a while.

 That was a real scorcher.

In fact, I did a review on Trip Advisor, suggesting that they install fans on the boat to deal with that problem.

A selfie on board with my friend Carol

I had actually been on that sea route around Ft. Lauderdale before a few years ago, on the Water Taxi but this was far more delightful and the information on board far more comprehensive.

Water Taxi approaching

It’s always great to see how the super rich and sometimes infamous live. The various size yachts often tell that story.

Judge Judy’s is called “Your honor!"😏

On the trip down to the tropical setting where we had dinner, the narration was comprehensive and at times humorous.

When we got to the Jungle Queen Island, friendly staff were dockside to welcome us and amazingly, we barely sat down before the  sumption ‘all you can eat barbecue’ was on the tables. And boy wasn't that barbecue ribs to die for!

During dinner there was a great cabaret singer who had me getting out of my seat to shake a leg at times.

The setting the food the ambiance was really great.

They did try and succeed in recreating a jungle setting with lovely birds in cages which we were warned not to get too friendly with, as they were not very accommodating,

After dinner there was an extremely professionally choreographed stage show, featuring musicians, a magician, a comedian and a Polynesian troop of dancers with a fearless fire eater.

As I said earlier, it’s the best value you can get for your money in Ft. Lauderdale.

Really good stuff.

 

Race war imminent?

 If you believe some white supremacists in the USA, they would not like anything better than a race war. And they are not shy about posting videos on the internet calling for it.

Most importantly,  they are arming themselves for it. 

Apparently, the ordinary armed civilians are not the only ones we have to worry about most, but also the number of Ku Klux Klan and other such dangerous supremacists, who have infiltrated police departments.

One of the most explosive threats from such cops became public by accident when three cops in Wilmington, NC, were caught on their own body cams discussing killing black people.

They were; Michael ‘Kevin’ Piner, James ‘Brian’ Gilmore, and Jessie E. Moore II. 

 LINK; Three North Carolina police officers fired after audit uncovered racist video - YouTube

This summary was posted ; “Moore began telling Piner about an arrest he had made at work the day before. During that conversation, Moore refers to the female as a ‘negro’ and a ‘ni—-‘ on multiple occasions.”

“At one point, Moore states, “She needed a bullet in her head right then and move on. Let’s move the body out of the way and keep going.” Piner responds, ‘That’s what I have been trying to tell you,'” according to the documents.

He also referred to a magistrate judge, who is also black, as a ‘fucking negro magistrate.’

After more derogatory comments about the arrestee and the magistrate, the conversation takes an even bleaker turn, as the two officers discuss an upcoming ‘civil war.’

“Piner tells Moore later in the conversation that he feels a civil war is coming and he is ‘ready.’ Piner advised he is going to buy a new assault rifle in the next couple of weeks. A short time later Officer Piner began to discuss society being close to ‘martial law’ and soon ‘we are just gonna go out and start slaughtering them fucking ni*****. I can’t wait. God, I can’t wait.’ Moore responded that he would not do that. Piner stated, ‘I am ready,'” according to the summary.

“Officer Piner then explained to Cpl. Moore that he felt society needed a civil war to “wipe ’em off the fucking map. That’ll put ’em back about four or five generations.'”

Those cops were fired when the tape became public.

In April 2022, in Farmington Hills it was discovered that targets with images of Black men were used department's target practice area.

Concerns about the images were initially raised after a Boy Scout troop toured the building used for target practice by the Farmington Hills Police Department, according to CNN affiliate WXYZ.. A photo taken by an unidentified individual on the tour shows at least three hanging targets of Black men holding weapons and a group of children gathered around one of the posters.

Just another insight into the thoughts and plans of white supremacists in another department, manned by police who are armed by taxpayers to serve and protect all! 

What we don't know  however, is  how many other police forces throughout the country have dangerous armed cops like those hiding within their ranks, or where else black men are being used for target practice!

Up to this week, (June 27, 2020) in Akron, Ohio,another unarmed man, Jayland Walker, was killed when police shot him at least 60 times as he was running away following a traffic stop.

What is most telling though is the number of times we see how cops take down heavily armed white mass murderers unharmed, while murdering black men and women for the slightest auto infraction or misdemeanor!

He killed 2 men but was taken in unarmed!

America has indeed become an extremely dangerous place for non-whites, even children!.

 LINK cops caught talking and fantasizing about killing black people - YouTube