Jean Lowrie-Chin | Observer column for MON 3 JUNE 2013
 |
| IWF Jamaica members and friends - at centre (in beige) is IWF Jamaica President Pat Ramsay, and at left is Her Excellency Mathu Joyini, South Africa's High Commissioner to Jamaica. |
The
next morning, we headed to the Montego Bay Convention Centre for the IWF’s
Annual Cornerstone Conference, the theme of which was “Music, An Instrument for
Change”. You can imagine my delight when
we were greeted by the strains of the Alpha Boys Band,
a
symbol, not only of the change agent that is music, but also the change agent
that is education. Out of the
133-year-old institution has emerged Jamaica’s finest musicians, one of them
now the current bandmaster Winston ‘Sparrow’ Martin who engaged us at the
Conference.
Prime
Minister Portia Simpson Miller delivered a stirring and informative opening
address.
“The
fruits of the creative intellect and expression of the Jamaican people hold the
key to driving economic growth and unlocking national wealth and prosperity,”
she declared.
She
introduced us to a plan for our ‘Creative Economy’: “Leveraging our people’s
culture into high-value, globally competitive niche products and services for
economic wellbeing and sustained prosperity represents the next economic
frontier for the Creative Economy, and the mission of my Government.”
All
our women politicians made us proud: Industry and Commerce State Minister
Sharon Fflokes-Abrahams, Opposition Spokesperson on Culture MP Babsy Grange and
for the closing address, Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna. Mrs Ffolkes-Abrahams reminded our visitors of
distinguished Jamaican trailblazers: “Amy Ashwood, Amy Jacques Garvey and
Henrietta Vinton Davis of the Pan-African and Garvey movement; Amy Bailey and
Una Marson, who were critical to the women’s liberal club and instrumental in
providing a platform to discuss issues relevant to women.”
Babsy
Grange spoke feelingly of Jamaica’s potential for prosperity through culture.
She knows the music business well, having managed a number of promising reggae
acts such as Carlene Davis and Leroy Sibbles as well as platinum selling
artists Shabba Ranks and Lady Patra.
Lisa Hanna took us on Nanny’s historical walk across Jamaica to warn her
brother Cudjoe not to sign a pact with the British, explaining that it was the
sound of drums that strengthened her steps.
Session
after session at the Conference, there was a cavalcade of brilliant thinkers
and artists. Let me share briefly some of their thoughts.
Guitarist
Ernie Ranglin: “Children should be learning to play music from an early
age.” He wants it to be part of our
school curriculum.
Chris
Blackwell: “Music is coming back … [there will be a resurgence] in two or three
years.”
Herbie
Miller: “The Alpha Boys School system should be replicated in the 14 parishes
of Jamaica.”
James
Moss-Solomon as he called for respect and way out of conformity to make change:
“People in different circumstances have their own dreams and ambitions.”
Jazz
pianist and motivational speaker John Kao said we should try to have the
approach of a beginner: “The mind of an expert has many opinions; the mind of a
beginner has few.” He wants us to “lose the ego story, the survivor story –
fall into a creative rhythm.”
Rosamund
Zander: Leaders should be a ‘silent conductor’, asking “how can I join with
others to enhance their ability?”
 |
| Rita Marley |
We
were riveted by Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Etana. Their life journeys and their passion for
others shone through their every word.
Rita
Marley: “Through my supportive aunt, I went to Central Branch Primary, got a
scholarship and went to Merl Grove High School.
I wanted to be a nurse, to help the poor and look after the sick. I loved to share everything, my food, even my
clothes. People in the community used to
call me ‘Goddy’ because they looked to me”.
Rita
continued. “My family was musical and my
aunt taught me to sing the ‘Our Father’.
I sang it and won a contest.” She
said she knew her future would be in music and explained how she coached Bob in
singing and music! She described herself
as “a freedom fighter in my kind of war – a war without guns, a war of peace
and love.”
Marcia
Griffiths: “This is my 49th year in music. Every moment counts in my life, whether small
or big.” In commenting on lyrics that
are disrespectful or negative, she said: “If you are not contributing
positively, you will fall by the wayside because music is definitely pure. It is the ‘good school’, not the ‘old
school’.” The wise singer warned, “Don’t
let evil mislead us, for the children need us!”
Sheryl
Lee Ralph said it was her Jamaican upbringing, the emphasis on a good education
that strengthened her on her journey to stardom on Broadway and in
Hollywood. “My mother [Jamaican fashion
designer Ivy Ralph] taught me the importance of sisterhood … I encourage young
girls to find a good mentor. Do not let
pregnancy stop you. Do not let anybody
hit you. Your best life is between your
ears.”
Etana’s
aunt encouraged her and her grandmother guided her as she grew up in August
Town. “The children are who I write
and sing for,” she said. “We need to
give unconditional love to each other …stop judging!”
In
a session on development, business leader Earl Jarrett spoke animatedly about
the planned logistics hub and a recent investment which will see an off-shore
medical centre built in western Jamaica.
“Our policy makers need to lift themselves out of the plantation
economy,” he stressed. “We must invest
in people rather than what is on the ground or under the ground.”
The
energetic local IWF Committee was led by the remarkable Pat Ramsay who was
lauded by Prime Minister Simpson Miller: “I wish to also single out for praise
one of our indomitable, indefatigable, dynamic daughters of Jamaica, who has
been a major force behind the staging of this premier event ---and I speak of
the one and only, Pat Ramsay.” Our committee had tremendous sponsors support
from Scotiabank, Michele Rollins, Valerie Facey/Pan Caribbean and Jamaica
National.
Out
of these collective achievements and entreaties, let us all – politicians,
public and private sector leaders - be the watchful mother-eyes, the working
mother-hands of Jamaica. We have enough,
we know enough – we just need to have enough courage to get Jamaica growing.
No comments:
Post a Comment