We Shall Overcome

To thy house o Lord with rejoicing we come for we know that we are thine. Jamaica is reputed to be the country that have the most churches per square km in the world! It is therefore difficult to comprehend the high level of violence that pervades the society and indeed the extent to which the protection of criminal gangs in some communities have become a way of life. It is now the expectation of many that the security forces will build on the gains of the Tivoli Gardens invasion initiative and move against all gangs in all communities.

There is hope. It would appear that after many years of stalling and pussyfooting around, the political will now exists. You may argue as to whether it is forced on the Government to save its own skin or whether it is derived from a genuine desire for change.  The security forces has expressed their resolve and the Parliament is now debating an Anti-crime Bill.

Yet there is fear. Even as the criminal gangs are being dismantled there is also the unraveling of social fabric that holds the gang related communities together. The school fees, the doctor bills, the fund for the disabled and unemployed, the jungle justice system and the orderly collection of extortion money and other fees imposed by the gangsters.

The state with the help of the private sector and the rest of civil society must meet these challenges if Jamaica is to get to the point where its citizens can sing the old negro-spiritual ala Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Free at last Free at last. Thank God we are free at last!

Cricket Lovely Cricket

Cricket has always been known as the game of gentlemen. When in 1994 Brian Lara broke Garfield Sober’s world record for the highest no. of runs scored in an inning of a test match, Sobers was among the first unto the field to embrace and congratulate him. When in 2003 Matthew Hayden broke Lara’s record, Lara was quick to congratulate him It is not difficult to understand that when Brian Lara broke Matthew Hayden’s record in 2004 he was heartily congratulated by Mr. Hayden.

These great cricketers all know what it takes to perform at the highest level! They understand the hard work and determination required to set them apart from mere mortals!

Does the same principle hold true in Track and Field? Well lets look back at the beijing olympics where Usain Bolt shattered several records. He broke Michael Johnson’s 200m world record and was promptly congratulated by Mr. Johnson. Bolt was on the Jamaican sprint team that broke the sprint relay record held by the great US team which included Carl Lewis. Like Carl Lewis he won the sprint double and relay in the same olympics, but all in world record times. You would expect congrats to flow from Mr. Lewis to Usain, instead Carl questioned the fairness of his performance and went on griping about doping and drug testing.

These great athletes should know what it takes to perform at the highest level! They ought to understand the hard work and determination required to set them apart from mere mortals!

Does Carl Lewis know? He once said “I could run 9.8 or faster in the 100 if I could jump into drugs right away.“ That was more than 20 years ago when the anti-doping programmes were not as rigorous as they are now. So maybe that is the only way he knows how, after all he admitted to having failed three drugs tests. Shame on you Carl.

Cant Stop That Irie Feeling!

This year in Beijing was great for Jamaica. The Track and Field team produced stunning performances to the delight not only of their Jamaican supporters but of everyone who appreciate the magnitude of what they have achieved. Eleven medals, 6 golds, 3 world records, 1 olympic record from this small island state!! Surely it was an irie time in Jamaica and indeed in the diaspora around the world. Usain Bolt’s victory celebrations left every in no doubt that he was feeling irie. The irie feeling still persists as manifested in the week long home coming celebration with the olympic team during the month of October.

Musical Festivals

Heineken Startime takes place each winter in Kingston, Jamaica and promises to be the most significant musical event of the season. The concert features one of the strongest line-ups in each area of Jamaican music, from ska to rock steady to hip hop, and, of course, reggae.

The Rebel Salute Music Festival, also in Kingston, has been held in January for the past 12 years. The festival highlights cultural roots music and focuses more on the folk tradition than other shows. Don’t expect any less of a crowd, though, as patrons of this event include locals as well as international guests who show up each year for this amazing concert.

The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is usually held early in the year at a different location. This amazing festival features a diverse range of musical genres but pulls all their influences toward the blues and jazz lover. From African to Cuban and reggae, this festival gives a great international flavor to the age-old tradition of jazz and blues.

International Reggae Day is a blowout musical festival in Jamaica. Usually celebrated in July, this festival hosts not only musical talent shows, but a talent search, workshops and a lecture on the life of reggae icon, Bob Marley. This concert is broadcast live all over the world via satellite television and the Internet.

Reggae Sumfest is another weeklong music festival. It takes place the first week in August each year in Montego Bay. The best in reggae are brought together for a week of sonic celebration. Visitors can purchase tickets for just one night of partying or can spend a little more and get weekend passes or a pass for the whole week. Some tickets even include backstage passes. Without a doubt, Reggae Sumfest is a great way to enjoy a week of music.

Diana Ross at Air Jamaica Jazz Festival

Every thing was irie, Getting in the groove, I just a come down to movements when someone said ‘dont move’! Diana said ‘no cameras’!

That was the story of Diana Ross’ performance at this popular event on January 26, 2008 in Montego Bay. She insisted that all video recording devices must be turned off before she hit the stage, much to the disappointment of her many fans and patrons. The Jamaica Gleaner carried the story the following Monday leading with:

“Though Diana Ross went through multiple wardrobe changes, most fans at the annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival who forked out thousands of dollars didn’t even see her face on the event’s final night on Saturday”.

The world of communication has certainly changed in recent times, thanks to the internet. Many a live performance is recorded and and posted on sites such as flickr and youtube almost instantaneously. How will mega stars like Diana protect their rights in ensuring that their appearances on stage are not published by others? Food for thought