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Showing posts from 2008

The Culture of Violence: PART I- What happened to the friendliest people on earth?

I remember growing up in my small rural hometown in St. Elizabeth and occasionally encountering a tourist who would tell me tales about his/her country and how Jamaica is one of the most beautiful countries with some of the nicest people. I also remember traveling to the USA and telling people that I am from Jamaica and hearing beautiful stories about my home and its friendly people. Good memories- that is all they are now! There is no doubt that the international image of Jamaica has changed. Needless to say, it is my belief that locally the morale of the people is changing and patriotic pride is taking a downward spiral as Jamaicans are feeling the impact of a negative image globally as the culture of violence supersedes the culture of "niceness". The people who had the reputation for being cool, "irie", peaceful, loving and just sweetly laid back are now branded as aggressive, ill-natured, out of control, "scary" and desperate. SOURCE: www.amn

HEY Little Brother! Jamaica Gleaner News - Sticking with agriculture - Young farmer points the way to being successful - Saturday | May 24, 2008

This is a really beautiful feature on my little brother in last Saturday's Gleaner. Farmer Mark Lee (right) along with his employees, display samples of June plum reaped from his 418-acre farm, located in Maggotty, St Elizabeth. "On an average, many young men in Jamaica dream of owning their own home, car and even their own businesses. Mark Lee is one such and he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty in the process. Soil dirty, that is..." READ MORE AT: Jamaica Gleaner News - Sticking with agriculture - Young farmer points the way to being successful - Saturday | May 24, 2008

A LITTLE COMIC RELIEF: Donkey jailed for 3 days.

A Mexican donkey has been freed from jail after doing time for acting like a jackass.... READ MORE AT: Donkey freed after acting like an ass - Animal weirdness- msnbc.com

The Jamaican Homophobic Culture: Part IV- POLITICS AND HOMOPHOBIA. Jamaica Gleaner News.

SOURCE: http://www.go-jamaica.com/cartoon/ 'What Jamaica wants' - Church, gays divided on PM's BBC interview published: Wednesday May 21, 2008 Prime Minister Bruce Golding's firm stance against homosexuality in Jamaica on an international talk show has drawn both support and sharp criticism from within the nation and the diaspora. CLICK TO WATCH BRUCE GOLDING ON THE BBC'S HARDTALK! OR VISIT THE BBC site for the full spirited interview, article summary and videos: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/7410382.stm Yesterday, president of the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation in Canada, Phillip Mascoll, argued that while same-sex marriages were allowed in Canada, buggery remained a crime in Jamaica and the law should be obeyed. "The prime minister, being a politician, has to do what the people want him to do," Mascoll said. Golding, who was responding to questions posed by Stephen Sackur on the BBC talk

POPULAR CULTURE: American Idol- Was this a joke?

After watching last night's performance with American Idol competitor Castro, I was upset! Castro in my eyes made a mockery of the Bob Marley song "I shot the Sheriff" and worst laugh rudely after his performance when Judge Randi pinpointed his faults. I think Castro was trying to get himself kicked off, because he could not have actually practiced that. His voice was drowned by the disoriented sounds of what was suppose to be acoustics. It was a pain! I would like to hear another Bob Marley on the Idol stage, but not from imitations like Castro. I think one of the girls can maybe do a "no woman no cry" or "turn your lights down low" in future Idols. SUBMITTED BY: Shalane Lee (Guest Blogger) SEE CASTRO'S PERFORMANCE BELOW. YOUR COMMENTS ARE VALUED. jason castro I shot the sheriff - Google Video COMPARE TO THE ORIGINAL COURTESY OF: YouTube. All Rights Reserved. Use of original information without the author's permissi

The Jamaican Homophobic Culture: PART III- The Role of the Jamaican Church.

PREACH TOLERANCE "The Rev Dr Merrick 'Al' Miller, pastor of the Fellowship Taber-nacle in St Andrew, said that Jamaicans generally deem homo-sexuality wrong.... 'Homosexuality is wrong from every possible angle...It's immoral from a physical, social and spiritual standpoint...I have no problem in supporting and helping someone who sees that he is going the wrong way and wants help in changing his life, but where I draw the line is when you say that it is OK and want to force others to accept your abnormal behaviour'." READ FULL STORY AT: Jamaica Gleaner News - Gay lobby rebuked - Church says won't accept homosexual lifestyle in Jamaica - Monday | February 18, 2008 I wonder what type of message the church sends when religious leaders can state that the homosexual behavior is “abnormal” or that the lifestyle can be “changed” with some form of intervention? These religious leaders have congregations who look up to them for guidance. It is very

The Jamaica Star :: News :: Jamaica won't bow to gays :: April 24, 2008

Prime Minister Golding shares his thoughts on the buggery laws and gay marriage. EXCERPT: "As far as this prime minister is concerned, marriage means a union sanctified and endorsed by law between a man and a woman. And I don't want to speak with any ambiguity about where this yah prime minister rest." READ MORE AT: The Jamaica Star :: News :: Jamaica won't bow to gays :: April 24, 2008

The Jamaican Homophobic Culture: PART II- Violent lyrics feeds the homophobic culture.

The misogynist, violent, homphobic and gun lyric element to the dancehall music has always been present to some extent, but it was not until 1992 that attention was focused on the potential harm that such lyrics could cause. Buju Banton's “Boom Bye, Bye” brought this to light. The homophobic lyrics declared that all homosexuals should be shot in the head and fed into the preexisting homophobic culture in the island and the even more dominant culture of violence. At the time, I did not understand or like the homosexual culture but at the same time my humanity would not allow me to condone violent acts against other people because they are different. RED STRIPE TAKES A STAND IN 2008 The population that was already exposed to the culture of violence absorbs the messages and instructions from the ‘dancehall’ artiste like a sponge and act upon it. Are our dancehall artistes socially irresponsible? Don't they have an obligation to the Jamaican populace to promote peace and tolerance

FITNESS Jamaican Style!

Let's take a break from the issue of homophobia. Lately there has been a lot of talk about "Food Security" and the need for Jamaicans to concentrate more on nutrition and fitness rather than eating what they can afford. Normally the affordable food is not the most nutritious and presently there is an epidemic of hypertension, and diabetes throughout the nation. "A FAT, LAZY NATION" In addition to nutritious food and education on how to eat, there is an increasing need for activities that people can participate in, relate to and enjoy. Does Elephant Man have the right idea? Can you see yourself doing this? Check out Elephant Man's exercise videoclip courtesy of youtube. Love the testimonial. All Rights Reserved. Use of original information without the author's permission is strictly prohibited.

The Jamaican Homophobic Culture: PART I- Homophobia

The Oprah show on Friday, April 11, 2008 was a rebroadcast of the show “Gay around the World” that first aired in October 2007. The Oprah show selected to concentrate on 3 countries: India, Jamaica and the USA. I was surprised and yet not surprise by the selection of Jamaica for such a show. (Watch the Interview with Jamaican Stacey Ann Chin) . For many, gay and straight alike, around the world there is a belief that Jamaicans are amongst the most homophobic people in the world. This belief is fuelled by stories of physical violence being meted out to gays sometimes with fatal results. The scary thing about Jamaica is that oftentimes the groups that are set up to protect human rights are in violation of those rights: like the police and the church. SOURCE: Jamaica Observer This series is an exploration into Homophobia and also my opinions on the homophobic culture in Jamaica. As usual your comments are welcome. HOMOPHOBIA IN JAMAICA: http://www.jamaica-glean

History of Jamaica!

Jamaica has a rich and vibrant history, which inspires us to move forward as a nation. Our history speaks to experiences of hardships and prosperity; and the growth and determination of a people. The original inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be the Arawaks, also called Tainos. They came from South America 2,500 years ago and named the island Xaymaca, which meant "“land of wood and water”. The Arawaks were a mild and simple people by nature. Physically, they were light brown in colour, short and well-shaped with coarse, black hair. May 5, 1494 Christopher Columbus, the European explorer, who sailed west to get to the East Indies and came upon the region now called the West Indies, landed in Jamaica. This occurred on his second voyage to the West Indies. Columbus had heard about Jamaica, then called Xaymaca, from the Cubans who described it as “the land of blessed gold”. Columbus was soon to find out that there was no gold in Jamaica.On arrival at St Ann’s Bay, Columbus found

WELCOME!

Welcome to my blog by a Jamaican about Jamaica. It is so easy when we are in another place to forget where we are coming from but I have not found this to be the case with many Jamaicans. Jamaicans always remember home and cherish those memories. The purpose of this blog is born out of sheer nostalgia for a land and culture that is unique and beautiful. I will be posting on current issues and issues that I have been interested in for awhile. Apart from issues one of my dearest hobbies is cooking and I would like to share Jamaican recipes with my readers. Your comments are welcome, please post them so we can open dialogue and share our thoughts, feelings and ideas. Thank you, Christine

DISCLAIMER

This blog is not here to diagnose a medical condition, or replace your health care provider. However, I hope to inspire you to become healthier, more self sufficient, and more aware of alternative options to your healthcare. I have provided my own and the testimonies of others as to how different products or procedures have worked from them. This is all a part of information gathering not hard and fast recommendations.I hope to aid you in your own personal research and study and I have provided research links for your further study into any topic. Nothing I say has been evaluated by the FDA, I am a Ph.D. but not a medical doctor, so naturally I do not prescribe medications or recommend for anyone to stop taking medications without first consulting with their Doctor. ALWAYS CONSULT your personal PHYSICIAN. You have a choice to use what I share is at your own risk.I will never share any product or information that we don’t fully endorse, its simple, if I love something I will share it. I am not paid to do so. Please enjoy my blog, share it and follow. There are some good things on here.

Dr. C.P. Lee