Marcus Garvey Quotes for 2022

Marcus Garvey Quotes

With thanks to shoppe black.us

"If we as a people realized the greatness from which we came we would be less likely to disrespect ourselves."

"I trust that you will so live today as to realize that you are masters of your own destiny, masters of your fate; if there is anything you want in this world, it is for you to strike out with confidence and faith in self and reach for it."

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

"Take advantage of every opportunity; where there is none, make it for yourself."

"If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life."

"Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men."

"The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness."

"With confidence, you have won before you have started."

Memories of General Colin Powell

Ambassador Sue Cobb with General Colin Powell

Excerpt from 

Jamaica Observer Column  

published  1 November 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jamaicans felt deeply the passing of General Colin Powell earlier this month. This son of Jamaican parents rose through the ranks of the US Army to the chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Powell, who grew up in the Bronx in New York and was raised in a humble household by caring parents Maud Ariel (née McKoy), a seamstress and Luther Theophilus Powell, a shipping clerk, was appointed as the 65^th US Secretary of State by President George W. Bush in 2001.

I had a chat on Saturday with former US Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb who became a close colleague of General Powell.

 "I met Colin Powell in 2001 when he attended my swearing-in, and I was very flattered that he did that because he doesn't have time to do everyone," she said. "Even though he didn't know me very well then, he did his research and gave a beautiful talk to my family and friends.  He said he had told the President that the job he wanted in the Bush Administration was Ambassador to Jamaica and he told my friends that the President said [jokingly] "No, I have someone who is more qualified' – which was such a fabulous start!"

 "Because of his Jamaican background and just the kind of person he was," she shared, "we really hit it off from the beginning and we had a bit of a two-person admiration society. He couldn't make many official visits because he said he had to pay attention to world affairs and when he does come, he has to pay attention to all 35 of his cousins."

"At end of my term, the Aristide issue arose. It was very difficult for Secretary Powell," she recalls. "I think there were some hard feelings with the Government of Jamaica, maybe some miscommunication between Washington and Kingston; that is the part of leadership that is difficult, when you have to make difficult decisions."

Asked about the renaming of 'Crowne Plaza', 'Powell Plaza', Ambassador Cobb said, "I made the recommendation to Congress for the naming of 'Powell Plaza' in Jamaica just before the end of my tour as Ambassador."

Ambassador Cobb said after she returned to the US, General Powell called her to say that he had visited the building and that he was very pleased. He said he had stayed at the US Ambassador's residence then located at Long Lane and chuckled, "I slept in your bed!"

After her tour of duty ended, she said they would see each other at various events in Washington. "As time went by, we spoke about three or four times yearly. I remember about three years ago, we had a call and he said he had got a diagnosis of multiple myeloma – but he was very upbeat, very sure that would get through that. On a later call we talked about the treatment he was getting at the military hospital practically in the backyard of where he lived and he was always very positive."

However Ambassador Sue said, "In the past 9 months I had a foreboding because he hadn't called. I hadn't called. Then the news came that he passed from Covid but clearly he had difficulties with underlying conditions."

"He was a wonderful leader but he was also a wonderful human being, with all the great things he had done in his life and the blessing he was for many, many people," she said feelingly.  "His book, 'My American Journey' was about as great anyone can be on leadership – many of my colleagues speak of having read the book, and that will be a strong contribution for many, many years."

"Leadership is solving problems," stated General Powell. "The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." Let every leader remember this lesson.

‘What’s in the water in Jamaica?’

Observer column published Monday 15 November 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jamaica's Ambassador to the US, the indefatigable Audrey Marks has a knack of packing a room with dynamos and last Thursday's 'Jamaica Connect' was no exception. Under the theme 'Moving Diaspora Engagement Forward' she invited two women of whom Jamaica can be truly proud: Global Teacher Honouree Keishia Thorpe and The Lt. Governor-Elect for the State of Virginia, Winsome E. Sears.

Keishia Thorpe said she had an "overwhelming feeling" about her Award from the Varkey Foundation as Global Teacher 2021 which comes with a US$1 million prize. She has received numerous awards for her advocacy, assisting her students to access college education. Thorpe teaches at the International High School at Langley Park in Prince George's County and came out the winner from 8,000 nominations submitted by 121 countries.

The culturally aware Thorpe modified her English curriculum for her mostly immigrant students. An AP report from the Jamaica Observer said: "Thorpe, who came to the United States from Jamaica on a track and field scholarship, founded the non-profit US Elite International Track and Field with her twin sister, Dr Treisha Thorpe, to help "at risk" student-athletes around the world use their talents to pursue scholarships to US colleges and universities, according to the foundation."

 

"Covid brought to light the importance of teachers," she said, a statement which will be applauded by many a weary parent. She said Covid magnified the inequalities in the education system. "Vulnerable children need to know we are championing for them… Let us create a legacy of education to break that cycle of poverty," she said. "I will forever wear the Jamaican flag with pride."

Winsome Sears says she has been asked several times, "'What's in the water in Jamaica?' because so many of us excel."  Sears recalled that her father came to New York with $1.50 in his pocket. She said at that time the Jamaican Dollar was stronger than the US Dollar so when he sent home money it didn't seem like a lot!

Sears was taken up to the Bronx when she was six and she had a hard time adjusting to the weather and the new environment, living "behind six different locks". Since she was not progressing well in the public school, he sent her back to Jamaica where she was enrolled in the Greenwich Primary School. "My father said, 'if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for you'," she shared.

She passed the Common Entrance for Immaculate Conception but ended up attending Ardenne High where she did well and "had a wonderful time." She returned to the US after third form where her transcript did not seem to impress her new school until she tackled biology and chemistry. "I aced these subjects," she said, "so big up Jamaica!"

A former Marine, Ms Sears said the first Black woman to become Brigadier in the US Marine Corps is Jamaican Born Lorna Mahlock. Wikipedia describes the weighty responsibilities of General Mahlock: she is Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and the Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer of the Marine Corps.

Questioned as to why she became a Republican, she says she used to be a Democrat until she listened to a speech by President George H. Bush, in which he said, "If all you ever have is welfare, you will never have anything to pass on to your children."  This inspired her have higher goals, which she has achieved. She was at a recent gathering and noted, "There were six billionaires at the table, and I was the only Black one."

For those with differing political views, she says we should "Live and let live." Whichever political party you support, Black people should make sure that they "always have a place at the table."  

She brought us back to earth when a gentleman in the discussion disclosed that he lived near her in Virginia. "Then why you haven't invited me yet to eat some Jamaican food?" she asked laughingly.

She has assured Ambassador Marks that she will do her best to promote greater trade for Jamaica, unlike the previous Governor who she opined, was more focused on "relations with China."

To underline Winsome Sears declaration on Jamaican excellence, we had news recently that Jamaican-born New York Legislator N. Nick Perry, recommended by senior US Senator Churck Schumer, is the nominee for US Ambassador to Jamaica. Mr Perry is a Kingston College graduate and worked at the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union before migrating to the US. He represents the 58th New York Assembly District and The Jamaicans.com website notes, "Perry was named Legislator of the Year in 2018 by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and has been honoured by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators among other organizations."

Diaspora Policy coming

Senator Leslie Campbell, State Minister with Special Responsibility for Diaspora Affairs told the meeting that the Jamaican Government was about to enact a National Diaspora Policy to promote increased trust and cooperation. To the request that Jamaicans in the Diaspora should be able to vote in our elections, he noted that Jamaicans may register and come here on Election Day to vote, but remote voting would have to be an amendment to our current Representation of the People Act for that to place.

Concern about crime was mentioned by several attendees. We believe that if we can address that elephant in the room, we could have a significant uptick in Diaspora investment.

Generous Jamaicans

We had good news from Claudette Powell of the Jamaica Diaspora North-East group. With the assistance of Consul General Alsion Roach Wilson, Dr Karen Dunkley, Dr Trevor Dixon, Dr Robert Clarke and Dr Elaine Knight a team of medical volunteers are now on the ground at the Savanna-la-mar Hospital, giving well needed assistance.

Also at the event was Canada-based Diana Burke, President of PACE Canada, which last week delivered 1,000 'OneTab' learning devices to the Early Childhood Commission  for distribution to kindergarten students without computers at over 200 Basic and Early Childhood Institutions sponsored by PACE in all Parishes across the island. 

PACE Canada was able to obtain these devices thanks to the generous donations by members, supporters, community partnerships including the Jamaica Canadian Association's Women's Committee, George Brown College, Central Jamaica Organization, and family and friend's donations in memory of loved ones such as the Palazzo family and the Margaret Samuels Foundation.

Jamaica's Special Ambassador for Philanthropy, Paula Kerr-Jarrett Wegman, received the St George's Society New York (SGSNY) Commonwealth Award at their English Ball, an event that has been held annually since 1770. It is no surprise that Paula, daughter of the legendary philanthropists Christopher and Michelle Bovell, was so honoured, as she has been 'fostering a culture of leadership and entrepreneurship' said Richard Branson who introduced her at the event.

We are grateful to Claudette Powell, Diana Burke, Paula Kerr-Jarrett Wegman and many others in the Diaspora who continue to keep Jamaica so close to their hearts.

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com

Keep us free from evil powers

Observer column for MON 25 Oct 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

The reports around a shadowy individual become increasingly 'curiouser and curiouser.' How could this man become so powerful in his ridiculous 'ark' in St James that his followers allegedly obeyed his instructions to carry out human sacrifice?  

This particular story was published in the 'Lipstick Alley' blog in March, 2020. On behalf of two families, a woman said she had booked a house in St. James in January of 2020 on Airbnb. When they arrived there, they discovered that the host 'Carlette' who confirmed the booking allegedly had sold the house to none other than the so-called 'pastor' Kevin Smith. This is what she alleged happened to them on the second day of their visit: 'We get to the house and there are three cars on the property… one dude is sitting in a black Escalade just waiting…. He's like 'I own this house'."

She continued, "Diane has lived on this property as a housekeeper for over 5 years, she's getting fired and he has his goons start moving all her [items] out of the guest house immediately… In the middle of all this I notice that the new owner's employees were acting really weird around him, like they were afraid of him. I also heard one guy call him 'your excellency'. So, I ask the property manager what's the deal with the new owner and he's like 'he's a descendant of Queen Sheba' …Apparently he's a bishop and owns a church somewhere in Jamaica also."

 

She alleges, "Fast forward to the 22nd. We're mildly uncomfortable because at this point, we've noticed that one of His Excellency's goons is on the property 100% of the time. We were never in the house alone. We have three young children not including my baby…Two days later there was a crazy rainstorm. It's now Feb 24th. My mom wants to go out on the balcony to film the storm but noticed that the door is locked. She goes to check all the other doors. Locked. We're locked in the house."

 

They get permission eventually from 'His Excellency' to go out and arrange with an apologetic Carlette to move to another villa. After they returned and packed however, on orders from Smith, the property manager allegedly locked them in the house. They managed to escape from the house but the gate on the property was locked. They had to throw their luggage over the fence and jump to their safety.

 

"We go straight to the police station to file a report," she said, but was allegedly told that there was "no law in Jamaica against locking people in a house. No one put their hands on you, so no real laws were broken."

 

The drama continued as she alleged: "So we argue with the police for about an hour when His Excellency shows up at the station. He wants to press charges against us for illegally staying at his house without having paid to stay there. I immediately pull up my Airbnb receipts …We're like alright let's just get to this new house before someone tries to kill us. We … get to the new house and literally just sat there and cried for an hour. Every single one of us."

 

Just one month later in March 2020, this 'pastor' embarked on an unbelievable grift, as reported by Rochelle Clayton in the Jamaica Observer last Friday. One of his followers disclosed that Smith used the beginning of the pandemic to trick his followers, offering protection from the virus in his 'ark', demanding $100,000 for entry and had them sleeping on a concrete floor in a state of near starvation for a month. Clearly Smith had a hold on them because the victim is quoted as saying, "Time passed, and we started going back to church."

Sadly, the ill-fated Tameka Gardner who lost her life in an evil ritual at the 'ark' remained devoted to Smith, despite the warning signs. She was persuaded to replace the names of her mother and son with Smith's on her insurance policy – thankfully for her family, there was an error in the request, so the change did not go through.  It is alleged that her murder was ordered when she was accused of taking the vaccine, yet her co-workers are convinced that she was against the vaccine and had not taken it.

This column has been appealing to the Church groups to have a system of due diligence so grifters cannot disguise themselves as pastors. Now that people have lost their lives in this 'ark', Government must step in and insist on a registration system for churches. Let us follow the example of the Rwanda government which passed laws recently to have strict regulations for those who wish to be pastors.

Vaccination appeals

We have received reports of fully vaccinated elderly persons with comorbidities being hospitalised with Covid.  The US has now determined that the elderly and persons with serious health conditions be allowed to receive booster shots and so we are appealing to the Ministry of Health to allow this to be done here instead of dumping vaccines.

We also support Professor Figueroa's call that private doctors be invited to participate in the vaccination programme. Family doctors have built trusting relationships with their patients and may very well be able to convince hesitant individuals better than any campaign.

We join with UNICEF Jamaica in appealing for the reopening of schools in January. They note that 120,000 children have received no education since schools closed. As quoted by the Fi Wi Children Foundation, the organisation notes that "schools are not just a place to gain academic knowledge. They support social well-being, mental health and dramatically help to reduce the risk of violence." We hope the JTA will appeal to their members to get vaccinated.

Climate Change Emergency

Even Queen Elizabeth has remarked that not enough is being done to address climate change. From October 31 to November 12, the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. The objective is to take stronger action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The COP26 website warns, "If we continue as we are, temperatures will carry on rising, bringing even more catastrophic flooding, bush fires, extreme weather and destruction of species. We have made progress in recent months to bend the temperature curve closer to 2 degrees; but the science shows that much more must be done to keep 1.5 degrees in reach. The world needs to halve emissions over the next decade and reach net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century if we are to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees."

Jamaica is classified as a "small island developing state" (SID), far more at risk that the developed countries which are the biggest carbon emitters. Let us do as much as we can to move the objectives of COP26 forward – our very lives depend on it.

 

Covid’s strong impact on education

 

Excerpts from Jamaica Observer column published MON 6 Sept 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Trisha Williams-Singh, ECC Chair

Two organisations which give me great hope for bringing our children up to speed despite the pandemic, are the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD). I was able to join Education Minister Fayval William’s Back to School Session for early childhood institutions in Region 4 and the guidelines presented by Executive Director Karlene Deslandes are thoughtful and thorough.

Well ahead of Covid, former ECC Chair Professor Maureen Samms Vaughan and current Chair Trisha Williams-Singh spearheaded programmes and standards that give Jamaican pre-schoolers a solid start. Every new parent should download the ‘First 1000 Days’ App developed by the ECC which gives a great deal of practical advice.

Similarly, as we listened to the Tashi Widmer (via interpreter Denque Wedderburn), Executive Director of CCCD, Chair Grace Lindo and staff members from the campuses in Kingston, Manchester and St. James, we were assured that their deaf students would be able to avail themselves of quality education. If you know of a needy child who is deaf, please consider offering them a scholarship to CCCD and watch them bloom.

Despite these valiant efforts, the data shared last week by CAPRI Researcher Stephanie Sewell is disturbing. In her presentation titled “Time Out – Impact of Covid-19 on Education” (available on YouTube), we learn that half of the households in vulnerable communities have no internet access, 20 percent have no suitable devices, paediatricians are seeing poor health issues and grades are falling.

She described the ideal conditions for learning at home: comfortable spaces and parents working from home who can supervise their children.

“The presence of all these variables as you can imagine in one home are more likely to be found among households in the upper socioeconomic quintile as compared to poorer households and especially multi-person households within vulnerable communities,” she noted.

She said that comparing the Grade Six ability tests of February 2020 and February 2021, there was an eight percent decline in the performance of students, with the average mean score moving from 60 percent to 52 percent.  At the secondary level, they identified a decline in the number of students sitting such examinations as the NCTVET and CXC.

But here is another worrying situation: “Apart from learning loss, we can see that school closures can also have an impact on other areas, such as causing weight gain and other diet related illnesses including diabetes and hypertension. Students have also been impacted by increases in hyperactivity, indiscipline, sadness, loneliness, frustration, and anxiety.” 

She noted that a group of Caribbean pediatricians have made a statement that our children “are on the cusp of a regional childhood obesity emergency and mental health emergency.”

They note that the situation “is exacerbated by the lack of or reduced access to guidance counselors and other in person coping mechanisms for students, higher screen time ... using online learning can cause issues to do with eye health and distractibility or lack of focus and even less emotional stability for students.”

In a previous study, CAPRI’s ‘Stress Test’, there were reports of Covid's impact on violence: “Pre-teen boys and teenage boys who had no devices were dropping out of school forming cliques, carrying knives, smoking, gambling and getting into fights. Girls are also at a higher risk of abuse and sexual exploitation when not in school.”

She acknowledged the improvements made by the Education Ministry, but urged the return to face-to-face classes as soon as possible. She recommends, “COVID testing regimes for teachers as well as students should be instituted; surveys of infection and positivity rates for communities surrounding schools should be undertaken and alternative locations such as church halls, community centres and other larger locations should be engaged to be used as classrooms to allow for social social-distancing as well as to reduce class sizes where possible.”

 While we wait for this third surge to end, she is calling for improvements to online learning, “for example, establish and support smaller groups of students, use the learning pods as a methodology for remote teaching, continue to expand the internet infrastructure and internet access across the island.”

At the event, Education Minister Williams said her Ministry welcomed the research, noting that significant efforts were made to provide devices to the most vulnerable students and assistance to teachers. She said that while face-to-face classes were not yet possible, “our focus in the coming year until able to get back into the business environment and even beyond that, is to ensure that those children who are not consistently engaged with the educational system that we know exactly who they are, that we make the necessary intervention for them and so at least by the end of the year we're hoping that we would have caught them up to at least where they were before the pandemic.”

Hope Zoo’s crucial role

One of the many establishments that has been severely handicapped by the pandemic is the Hope Zoo, owned by the Government of Jamaica and resuscitated through the kindness of Guardsman Chairman Kenny Benjamin. The Zoo was transformed into an oasis and pre-Covid, was a preferred spot for family outings.

Marketing Manager Patrice Levy pointed out the crucial role of the Hope Zoo Foundation, its responsibility for conservation practice, advocacy and research. “Conservation practice entails captive breeding, species reintroduction programs, Species survival plans and the use of zoo revenue for conservation programs in the wild,” she explained. “Conservation advocacy includes public engagement, promoting awareness, advocating stewardship, and fundraising.”

The Hope Zoo is a wild-life sanctuary which collaborates with National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to rescue native species. Injured or orphaned animals are cared for until they can be released back into the wild. “Others with permanent injuries are given a new forever home here at Hope Zoo,” she says.

The Hope Zoo Foundation initiated the conservation programme for the Jamaican iguana, successfully housing and protecting 300 of reptiles for up to six years before releasing them back to their natural habitat.

 

Spread over 57 acres with a 65-strong team, there is enough space to distance and enjoy the surroundings. With the recent lockdowns, there is the need for funding to support the high cost of feeding the wide variety of animals. Big thanks to Nayana Williams of Lifespan water for contributing proceeds from her sales.

 

Freedom awaits – the vaccines are here

 Jamaica Observer column published 30 August 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

The Covid vaccines are arriving thick and fast, courtesy of international donors. Soon no one who wants a vaccine will be denied.  Last Friday, Jamaica passed the 500,000 vaccinated mark and the target of 700,000 by the end of September is in sight. This cannot happen too soon, as health care workers are frustrated and exhausted. 

Nurses at the Savanna-la-mar Hospital shared on Dionne Jackson-Miller’s ‘All Angles’ programme that sometimes they cannot help crying, so stretched they are with the deluge of Covid patients and so sad they are to see some dying despite their valiant efforts. The Clinical Coordinator for the Cornwall Regional Hospital Dr Delroy Fray has stated that none of the Covid patients in the Western Jamaica hospital have been vaccinated.

Malicious anti-vaxxers continue to share fake news on various social media platforms, even twisting the content of straightforward reporting.  In an interview with Emily Shields, K.D. Knight related that although he and his late wife Dr Shirley Knight had gone to the vaccination centre together, she postponed taking the vaccine due to a medical concern. Dr Knight subsequently contracted Covid and sadly passed away the day after the couple’s 54^th wedding anniversary. Incredibly, a false report that Dr Knight had been vaccinated began circulating to the point that the interview had to be played on a newscast to assure the public that this was not true.

It is a comfort to know that many Jamaicans are looking forward to taking the vaccine, and that with the rise in hospitalizations and deaths, vaccine hesitancy seems to be waning.  Dr Melody Ennis hosted an excellent virtual Townhall on the vaccine last week, and a repeat may be required for those health care workers and teachers who are still vaccine hesitant. 

Covid boosters being considered

Dr Eve Palomino-Lue and husband Basil 

Dr Eve Palomino-Lue noted to us that that persons like her who have had renal and other transplants are immunocompromised and may require Covid booster shots for sufficient antibody response. Others such as persons with rheumatoid arthritis, cancer being treated with chemotherapy and HIV may not be creating enough antibodies as they are taking immune-suppressant drugs.

Dr Palomino- Lue is appealing for such persons to receive booster shots, and that they should be made aware of this issue and be sure to take every possible precaution, even if they have already received the two shots.

We understand that her appeal is being considered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and for the sake of the immunocompromised individuals, many of whom are seniors, we hope that a third shot will be made available.

Coding & Robotics Rock

We have always regarded Mona GeoInfomatics (MGI) led by Dr Parris Lyew Ayee as a digital powerhouse, but what is even more impressive is their enthusiasm in opening the digital world to children.  The gaming technology company IGT brought MGI on board to conduct a Tech Camp at homes and centres in the Caribbean where they operate their After School Advantage Centres. From August 9 to 19, students in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten and Trinidad & Tobago were introduced to HTML, JavaScript and CSS projects along with group robotics activities at the Camp. MGI tutors, led by Kaodi McGaw and Hugh Billings guided the enthusiastic youngsters, and at their ‘graduation’, we were treated to creative web pages.

 

Jamaica’s students hailed from Sunbeam Children’s Home, Spring Village Development Foundation & Training Institute, SOS Children’s Village - Stony Hill, Mustard Seed Communities – Jerusalem and Mary’s Child, and the Women’s Centre Jamaica Foundation centres in Mandeville and Savanna-la-mar.

 

Alpha Bandmaster is a lady

The Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica have announced that music educator Gay Magnus has been appointed Band Master at the Alpha School of Music (ASOM) in Kingston. Preparing to welcome its first cohort of students in the Associate Degree programme for Music Performance, the Alpha School of Music is Jamaica's only tertiary programme focused on ensemble performance. As ASOM’s first Band Master, Ms. Magnus will be leading the innovative music curriculum as it expands to offer its renowned vocational training in music and entertainment to a national audience of young men 16-25 years old.

With more than 15 years of experience lecturing and directing ensembles at the university level, including Lecturer at the University of the West Indies and Head of Percussion at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Gay Magnus brings an array of music education and band performance skills to the Band Master position. A trained pianist who switched to percussion and now focuses on steel pan, Magnus received a teaching certificate from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus and completed her first degree in music performance at the UWI’s St. Augustine campus (with First Class Honours) and a Master’s in music performance from Northern Illinois University in the United States. For more information about the Alpha School of Music Associate Degree please visit www.alphamusicja.com.

Seniors Celebrate Jamaica

Justice Roy Anderson 

Where can you find judges, psychologists, PR gurus, medical doctors, potters, dancers and poets on the same stage? Only at a CCRP Virtual Concert, where we donned our black, green and gold Jamaican colours to soak up the amazing and hidden talent of some of Jamaica’s leading lights, expertly guided by emcee Charmaine Harrison and co-hosts Corrine Stewartson and Debbie Cargill.

Last Wednesday we enjoyed songs from Barbara Hylton, Retired Justice Roy Anderson (who was celebrating his 80^th Birthday), Winston Sherwood and DiMario McDonald, renditions on her saxophone and Miss Lou poetry from Rosemarie Voordouw, and presentation of original poems by poem ‘Elmina’ by Retired Senior Parish Court Judge Lyle Armstrong and Dr Winsome Miller-Rowe. Dr Owen James coaxed beautiful Jamaican melodies, ‘Redemption Song’ and ‘Island in the Sun’ from his harmonica.

We paid rapt attention to the thought-provoking poems presented by Ambassador Aloun Assamba and Berl Francis and laughed with Doris Halstead as she dramatized Valerie Bloom’s ‘Recommendation’. Janet Crick had us on the edge of our seats with a ‘duppy story’ from Robert Lalah’s book and Enid Bissember got us floating as she danced in a floating gown. With her bright smile and cool moves, Dr Lilieth Nelson took us down Festival memory lane featuring Toots & the Maytals, Stanley & the Turbines and Roy Rayon. We also enjoyed a video of Vilya Thomas’ unique pottery.

Farewell Lady Daphne 

We have lost church Sister Daphne King, whose stewardship as a choir member and Eucharistic Minister at Stella Maris inspired her fellow congregants. Ninety-seven-year-old Daphne served faithfully up to a few years ago and passed away peacefully earlier this month.

Daphne was a trailblazing executive at BWIA, BOAC and Air Jamaica. She and her late husband Noel raised four successful children of whom she was extremely proud. Son Paddy King recalls that his mother moved up the corporate ladder in the airline industry by dint of hard work. “We miss her terribly, but we feel very blessed to have had the perfect mother,” he says.

 

Deepest sympathy to her children Garth, Paddy, Damien, Sharon, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May the beautiful soul of Daphne King rest in peace.

The Covid Vax: to mandate or not to mandate

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

 Observer column published Monday 13 September 2021

Prime Minister Andrew Holness 

PM Andrew Holness is caught between his effort to protect his people and his fear of offending anti-vaxxers. Although employers are obliged under the law to provide a safe environment for their workers and customers, some unions have come out against a vaccine mandate. Our unions have fiercely protected Jamaican workers, so we would expect them to join the Government, the Opposition and the private sector in advocating for Covid vaccination. If we can reach the 70 percent target for herd immunity, we can look forward to face-to-face classes for our children, a reduced workload for our health care workers, and a return to our path of economic growth.

Another obstacle is the misleading advice of religious charlatans. One doctor has bemoaned the long hours spent convincing his patients that the taking of the vaccine is not denying one’s faith in God, but acknowledging God’s gift of knowledge to our scientists. There is the story of a man whose house was flooded in a storm. As he stood on the roof a boat came by, but he refused their help, telling them ‘God will save me’. As the waters rose higher, a helicopter hovered over, and rescuers came down on a rope to get him but again he refused, again telling them that God would save him. The waters rose and he drowned. When he went to heaven, he confronted God: “Why didn’t you save me?” he demanded. God shook his head. “My son, I sent you a boat and you refused, then a helicopter and you sent them way – what more could you want?”

We heard of one Jamaican Pastor who refused the vaccine and called for seven days of prayer when he was diagnosed with Covid. He died before the seven days were up, and we can only imagine the dialogue he has had with his Maker.

Health care workers, lab technicians who must analyse Covid tests are working around the clock. They are weary and traumatized by the continuous cries of pain, the deaths, the distraught relatives to whom they must break the bad news. Paramedics are flying about the streets, trying to get patients into hospitals. TVJ news interviewed one paramedic who showed the marks on his arm from the grip of a dying young woman, begging him to save her. People are now sitting outside of hospital buildings, getting oxygen.

President Joe Biden’s declaration of a vaccine mandate for all healthcare workers and for companies with more than 100 staff members, is an example of strong leadership. We are blessed in Jamaica that both of our major political parties are endorsing the vaccine; however, we need go at least one step further and mandate that healthcare workers, teachers and students over 12 to get the vaccine.

Twenty years since 9/11

Former US Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb OJ (Hon)

On Tuesday 11^th September 2001, terrorist attacks on three locations changed the world forever. The three locations were the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon; the fourth was the Capitol in Washington DC, but the passengers on United Airlines 093 were able to change the direction of the flight and perished in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Someone asked on social media ‘where were you when you learned of the attacks?’ and the numerous responses show how this dark day in history has been seared into our memories. Jamaicans were among those lives lost on 9/11 and the many who witnessed the horrific scenes unfolding.

This was the very day that Ambassador Sue Cobb assumed her new post as United States Ambassador to Jamaica. “I watched my television in disbelief, in shock, as a second passenger plane hit the World Trade Center,” she wrote in her riveting book, ‘Lady of Silk and Steel – from Everest to Embassies’. “I knew immediately that it was an act of terrorism. I also knew immediately that there would not be one single person in Washington during the next four years who would care one bit about what happened in Jamaica.” Whether Washington cared or not, Ambassador Cobb proceeded to pour her heart and soul into her assignment, supporting significant projects in Jamaica’s development.

“Jamaicans were extraordinarily sympathetic over 9/11 ... The church community, supported by the government, held a massive candlelight memorial,” she shared. We were at that memorial service and were moved to see Ambassador Cobb warmly greeting the Jamaican Imam. She signalled that we were not to brand all Muslims, most of whom are peace-loving people. Let the memories of 9/11 remind us to stand strong for justice and peace – the only path to a better, safer world.

Pinnock-Dadag made her mark at UDC

Heather Pinnock-Dadag - leaving a trail of excellence at UDC 

Heather Pinnock-Dadag has resigned from the UDC after four brilliant years, first as Deputy General Manager and then as General Manager for the past three years. Heather oversaw the construction and opening of the Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, the hosting of the design competition for the new Houses of Parliament, and the achievement of the ISO 9001 certification for the UDC’s core business processes.

Heather, who studied architecture and completed post-graduate studies in development and management regards the ISO Certification as her greatest success. “UDC had tried and failed before, so the team members were doubtful at first, but we stuck to it and got it done,” she said. “They proved to themselves that they can operate at world class. Structural improvements are the basis of good operations and by extension, more transformational projects.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Heather’s management of the UDC had “a focus on staff welfare, financial recovery and the long-term transformation of the Corporation to meet its mandate,” according to a release from the UDC. “The Board of Directors will commence the search to find a new General Manager. Ms. Pinnock has committed her support during the period of transition.”

Whatever her next move will be, we know Heather will bring to bear her dedication to excellence that will make our country and our world a better place.

‘Condolences’ trending

There have been so many deaths in recent times that the word ‘Condolences’ is trending on social media. Among the many fine Jamaicans who have passed recently are promoter and co-founder of Reggae Sunsplash Michael Johnston and later his grand-daughter Stephanie Gregg a charismatic young woman. Two weeks ago, we read of the passing of the legendary retired Mathematics teacher and Principal of St Andrew High, Ms Joan Reader. She was also a leader in the Jamaica Girls Guide movement.

Just this weekend, we lost ‘Jamaica’s Songbird’ Karen Smith, who lifted our spirits with her amazing vocals and her sparkling smile. We also lost the brilliant Dr Rose Davies, Early Childhood Education specialist whose work as former head of the Institute of Education at UWI. author and advocate contributed to the shaping of our early childhood education policy. We are also mourning the passing of Howard Hamilton QC, Jamaica’s first Public Defender, who also served as a famous attorney-at-law for 60 years.

We give thanks for the vision, excellence, love and joy of these unforgettable Jamaicans. Our deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

CCRP celebrating Jamaica in Good Spirits

 by Michael Edwards 

Outside, there was driving rain and the press of COVID curfew, but for the members of CCRP, there was warm fellowship, virtually shared, as well as peaceful reflection and mirth, as the organization presented a member-driven Talent Showcase, under the theme "Let's Celebrate Jamaica" on Wednesday evening (Aug. 25).

As diverse as the acts were, each of the performers delivered their items - whether lighthearted or serious - with a palpable passion and verve befitting the occasion.

In her welcome, Founder and Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin touched on the need for communal celebration, both in spite and because of the current issues and impositions. There was a salute to the athletes, and to the many other patriotic Jamaicans who had given of their time and talent in the interest of nation-building.

There was the spirit of overcoming on Rosemarie Voordouw's lilting saxophone rendition of the traditional classic "Fi Mi Love Have Lionheart " and also the stirring rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" on mouth organ (harmonica) by Dr Owen James.

Dr Owen James thrilled on the Harmonica 

There were also reflections on the challenges - and opportunities - of the times. Former High Commissioner to the UK, Amb. Aloun Assamba offered a revelatory reflection on the power and benefits of "Silence"  and Berl Francis offered perspectives on healing through positive self-talk, as well as the virtues of the interior world. Winsome Miller-Rowe reflected on the "New World" of pandemic protocols and tech-driven social life and, from Retired Senior Parish Court Judge Lyle Armstrong, a piercing remembrance of visit to the notorious Ghanaian slave dungeons of "Elmina". 

There was more than enough levity to go around as well. Barbara Hylton sang "Moonshine Tonight" and "Poor Lizzy Jane";  Enid Bissember did a sprightly dance and Dr. Lilieth Nelson used music and speech artfully to recap the Festival Song winners through the years. Voordouw returned with Miss Lou's classic "No Lickle Twang" and Doris Halstead did Valerie Bloom's "Recommendation".

Janet Crick revisited the experience of former Gleaner writer Robert Lalah, orating his encounter with "Westico" a well known country duppy, in a way that surely elicited peals of laughter.

Barbara Hylton sang lovely Jamaican Folk Songs 

A different but no less enthusiastic response greeted arguably the night's most unique item. In a slide presentation, potter Vilya Thomas displayed some exquisite pieces, which had several clamoring for her contacts

Though the ladies outnumbered them, the men were not to be outdone with respect to quality. In addition to the aforementioned Dr James (who would return on harmonica), there was Winston Sherwood with a silky rendition of the Stylistics gem, "Stop, Look [Listen to Your Heart]", Retired Justice Roy Anderson, with "Shine On Us" and DiMario McDowell with a rousing take on Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds".

The latter two, both celebrating birthdays, would team up for an impromptu encore at the finale, sweetly crooning the Ben E King classic, "Spanish Harlem".

With the "la la la, la la la" of that chorus gently echoing, and with members of the virtual audience chiming in - digitally - their sincere appreciation of the offerings, the celebratory night came to a close.  Audience and participants alike returned to their respective spaces, warmed by the evident goodwill of the occasion.

 

 

Hoping for normalcy

 Observer column published MON 28 June 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

First trip since Covid began - enjoying 
the company of family and friends.

Fully vaccinated, we headed to the drive-through Antigen testing site at Old Hope Road as we prepared for our first overseas visit in fifteen months. It was an easy process; there was no need to leave the car as they brought out a card with a QR code so we could answer a few questions on WhatsApp, pay via a mobile card machine and 30 minutes later our results were in our inbox.

Because we didn’t want to change flights, we got a ride to Montego Bay to catch Southwest to Baltimore. Our favourite spot in the airport Club Mobay was buzzing, with attentive staff and great snacks. There were frequent reminders that masks had to be worn in the airport and on the flight.

The jovial flight attendant announced that no liquor was available – this after a rowdy passenger had attacked a Southwest attendant a few weeks before on a US domestic flight. The plane looked spotless but we did wipe down the arms of the seat just to be sure.

On arrival, there were no questions about vaccination and testing as all this had been checked in Montego Bay, but lots of questions about agricultural products. We detailed everything we had in our bags, but along with the few Jamaicans, were still directed to the agricultural line where the lady wrote down the items: coffee, coconut drops, bun, tamarind balls, rum cream – “No ma’am, no mangoes” – how I wished I could have taken the lovely mangoes from my trees. My relatives have been buying them for a fortune at the West Indian store.

So here we were in the fully opened state of Maryland. Many folks were not wearing masks, but we kept them on wherever we went. There was indoor dining and we understand that cinemas and other places of entertainment were well attended. What a difference vaccination makes. What a tragedy that there are still so-called pastors dissuading their congregants there and here in Jamaica from taking the vaccine. It is the unvaccinated who are accounting for those Covid deaths still occurring.

We had to be tested to return to Jamaica, benefiting from the free PCR tests offered by the US Government for anyone, whether citizen or not.

Returning home, there was not one empty seat on the flight and most were tourists. The Montego Bay Airport was busy and Club Mobay was packed to capacity. Our Red Cap porter Mr Nelson regaled us with stories as we crossed to the Knutsford Express on the airport premises. Let us pause to congratulate the founder of Knutsford Express, Oliver Townsend for creating this islandwide transportation system that is professionally run. You can set your watch on its departures. It has been a Godsend for Jamaicans travelers.

Shorter curfew hours

Come Wednesday, we will have shorter curfew hours, beginning at 11pm on weekdays and 6pm on Sundays. There will be a 70 percent allowance for seating in churches and cinemas. However, we are reminded that mask-wearing, distancing and regular handwashing or sanitizing are crucial to maintaining this gradual opening up.

Understandably, members of the medical community are concerned as they became burnt out just a few months ago when beds and oxygen were running short. With loud calls from the entertainment sector, the Government is again trying to balance lives and livelihood.

The challenge is the discipline required to respect the protocols. I was concerned at the announcement that 5,000 spectators would have been allowed to attend the National Trials. Yes, we understand that they would have been spaced out, but the science shows that shouting and laughing cause aerosols of fine droplets to travel more than six feet. None of us can keep quiet when we see our favourite athletes flying to the finish. Good sense prevailed and the decision was reversed.

Clearly our athletes were not napping during the pandemic. The fastest woman alive Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce thrilled us with her Mommy-Rocket skills and Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson and young Briana Williams are the promise of a breathtaking Tokyo Olympics Relay. We have been spoiled by our sub-10 men’s athletes but we should note that Yohan Blake did that in the semis and should not give up hope of a good showing. Indeed, I have a soft spot for Blake, who has been a strong supporter of Food for the Poor over many years.

Back to the office

Having been working from home since last year, we will cautiously reopen PROComm and CCRP offices next Monday. Sanitizing, spacing, masking will all have to be observed but we miss the spontaneous exchange of ideas and the quick calls for team support that cannot happen on Zoom.

Happily, we have been able to host development seminars and an entertaining talent evening on Zoom for CCRP seniors including items by our Living Legacy Honourees Dr Jean Small, Merel Hanson and Dr Owen James. Our members are talented, witty individuals who could perform on any stage.

Chauvin gets 22 years

We gave thanks when the 22-year sentence was handed down to the cold-blooded police officer Derek Chauvin who squeezed the life out of George Floyd, keeping his knee on his neck for over nine minutes, despite his pleas of ‘I can’t breathe’. We give thanks because every time we think of our US relatives being pulled over by a police officer, we are filled with fear, knowing previous outcomes of similar situations. We give thanks because a brave teenager kept her phone video on for the entire duration so that the world could see the cruelty of racism.

We give thanks that the peoples of the world responded in pain and anger, and ‘Black Lives Matter’ echoed across the globe as humans of every colour marched against the savagery that they saw. We give thanks and we pray that this sentence will be a warning to every racist individual that the world will not stand by and allow their prejudice to stand in the way of justice. 

PSOJ Activism

We were impressed when PSOJ Vice President Mariame McIntosh-Robinson shared their current programmes in a meeting last week: promoting access to financing for MSMEs, the ENDS project, for micro businesses, the Children’s Help Line in association with the Office of the Children’s Advocate and the Digicel Foundation, the Connect-a-Child project to raise funds for laptops and tablets for students, the Public Sector Vaccination Initiative (PSVI), the Standing Committee on National Security and Justice, and support of Government’s tree-planting programme. Well done, PSOJ.

Miami tragedy

The video recordings of the partial collapse of a condominium complex near Miami Beach are stunning. Now, rescue workers are digging through the rubble to find the 159 persons who are unaccounted for, as we hope and pray with their grieving families. On social media, architects and construction engineers are weighing in, suggesting faulty design, rising waters and poor maintenance. The lesson to builders here in Jamaica, is that it may seem like an arduous stretch to get the soil-testing, the NWA, NEPA and Fire Dept approvals, but we must respect the process.