When Buju stirred Jamaica's Olympic spirit

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 28 January 2019
by Jean Lowrie-Chin

It's not an easy road
Many see the glamour and the glitter
And think it's a bed of rose
Who feels it knows
Lord help me sustain these blows.

At a JAAA meeting in 1995 chaired by then President Adrian Wallace of blessed memory, they proposed that Buju’s ‘Not An Easy Road’ would be a perfect music video to rally support for Jamaica’s Team preparing for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and were approaching several companies to co-sponsor it.  

I remember going home, giving the song a good listen, and convincing my client that they should take up the whole sponsorship. This was agreed and it was my pleasure to visit the studio where Buju did his recordings, and to meet this courteous and brilliant lyricist.

And so, as Buju sang these words, we saw a fine athlete, now Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn MP, going through the paces. Jamaicans quickly caught the Olympic spirit, and we were wild with joy when Deon Hemmings brought home the Gold.

After a startling incident in Florida, Buju has served his time and will return to the stage in triumph. I have relatives abroad who have booked their tickets to be here for March 16. I hear there is not a hotel room to be had that weekend. Buju is back, and we wish him every blessing in this new chapter of his eventful life.

Former Prime Ministers unite for Jamaica

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 28 January 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Former PM Bruce Golding - Jamaica Observer photo

I have to thank Dr Lucien Jones for linking me to an excellent  Jamaica Observer report headlined “Unity of Purpose” by Karena Bennett. How wonderful when politicians on opposing sides go into retirement and now congratulate each other on their past initiatives. Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding pointed out at a JSE conference last week that we have to go “beyond the bounds of legislation” to establish “a culture of integrity”. He noted, “I’m talking about a situation where something might not be illegal, but it is just plain wrong and the society accepts that it is wrong.”

Mr Golding harked back to P.J. Patterson’s Values & Attitudes programme that was branded as political and fizzled in 2003, remarking to much applause, “I've heard Prime Minister [Andrew] Holness make a number of statements that are almost indistinguishable from what PJ had put forward 25 years ago, and I'm just wondering whether the former prime ministers shouldn't make ourselves ready to lend support to get the discussion going.”

Former PM P.J. Patterson

The Observer reporter recalled a speech made by former PM Patterson to a Rotary Club in Hanover last year where he acknowledged Bruce Golding’s previous call: “As Bruce said, every pronouncement that is made, however it is articulated, comes out with the central things. We need to change our patterns of behaviour. It is time we move from talking about it, now that we seem to be saying the same thing, to acting on it,” Patterson reasoned.

“The message to go forth from this conference [is] that there is a suggestion that the political leaders should seek to invoke the help and support of those of us who have retired. We are prepared to get on board and put this thing at a level where the whole nation accepts. This is not an orange or green business, this is a matter of where we are as a nation,” he said.

Former PM Portia Simpson Miller - JIS photo

Former PM Edward Seaga - Observer photo

This proposed programme is being seen as the “last contribution to the national effort” by our four retired prime ministers: Bruce Golding, P.J. Patterson, Edward Seaga and Portia Simpson Miller.

At a Kingston Lay Magistrates event hosted by Custos Steadman Fuller, Mr Patterson suggested an Anti-Crime Commission, similar in composition to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ). Having served the ECJ and its predecessor the Electoral Advisory Committee, and seen how the opposing parties argued every last detail of the Representation of the People Act to give Jamaica a gold standard electoral system, I believe that this model should be given a try.

Jamaica is worth the effort

Observer column for MON 28 JAN 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

CCRP Directors and distinguished volunteers at a meeting last year to discuss Elderly Protection Legislation.
Seated: Arlene Harrison-Henry, Public Defender and Attorney-at-Law Gloria Langrin
Standing: Board Members Avrill Crawford, Jean Lowrie-Chin (Executive Chair), Vilma McDonald,
Ambassador Aloun Assamba and Dennis Jones

Volunteerism is alive and well in Jamaica, and the kind folks who are stepping up for others are positively inspiring. The Business & Professional Women’s (BPW) Club of St. Andrew have been supporting the Elsie Bemand Home for Girls for decades and at a recent meeting, members spoke like proud parents when they related the academic performance of the students.  For back-to-school, they have ensured that the children have uniforms, books and proper nutrition to optimize their performance. 

Attorney-at-law Gloria Langrin announced at the meeting that she had been researching legislation for protection of the elderly and had data from Australia, Canada, India and Northern Ireland which can assist the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) in their quest to have similar legislation in Jamaica.  There were just about a dozen members at the BPW meeting, planning these initiatives under the leadership of President Dr Mearle Barrett. I was reminded of that famous quote by the late anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

Meeting earlier this month with Shona Heron and Norma Taylor

When we survey the beauty of our land, the blessings of our fertile soil and the innate goodness of our people, we know that Jamaica is worth every bead of sweat that we break. As we journeyed to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay earlier this month, the sights buoyed our spirits on our mission to establish chapters of CCRP which advocates for the welfare of seniors. 

Pixley Irons 

Enthusiastic volunteers Norma Taylor and Shona Heron in Montego Bay have stepped forward to lead the over 200 members in Western Jamaica, and Vana Taylor and Pixley Irons will lead the over 100 in Northeast Jamaica.

There is a great deal of focus on our children, as there should be, but not enough on our elderly, too many of whom are being abused mentally, physically and financially. Shona Heron related to us the heartrending story of her late elderly relative who had suffered from dementia.  She visited her regularly and noticed that she had marks on her legs.  One day Shona entered the house unannounced, only to find the caregiver beating the poor woman. We have heard too many horror stories like this. Thank goodness for the efforts of concerned Jamaicans on behalf of the elderly.

Spain Gourmet Food and Wine Fair

Don Williams shares his expertise on Spanish Wines at a wine-tasting session

It was great to catch up with Don Williams, Managing Director of CS Citi-Scape and Victoria Garcia, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Spain at their recent Gourmet Food Fair, celebrating the country’s exquisite wines and food products. Don conducted wine-tasting sessions and recommended delicious pairings. A graduate of St. Catherine High School and of Spanish universities, Don continues to support his school and his country. 

‘Passion, purpose and laser-like focus’ for 2019

Jamaica Observer column published January 7, 2019

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

I am sharing this message from my friend Claudia Gordon: “Happy New Year!! I'm stepping into 2019 armed with passion, purpose, and laser-like focus. My promise to myself is to starve distractions and feed focus... to continually ask myself if what I am doing today is getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow. Friend, it's going to be a great year. Let's go.”

Claudia Gordon Esq

To understand better why her greeting resonates, meet Claudia Johnson Esq: Jamaican-born and the first deaf black woman attorney-at-law in the USA. She served in the Barack Obama White House as head of their division for disabled persons and now she is a legal counsel at Sprint.

Claudia has never allowed being deaf to stand in her way. I first heard Claudia speak about her experience of going deaf as a primary school student in Cascade, St Mary. She recalls a deaf-mute in her district who was bullied and she said her late mother was resolute that she would not suffer the same fate. Thus, they migrated to the US where she could have teaching assistance in school and ascended the academic ladder to law school.

Claudia's company is energising; her passion for life and for the special needs community is contagious. As Maya Angelou noted: “Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” This new year seek the company of the positive people.

The Cover of Dr Floyd Morris' inspiring Autobiography

As I read Dr Floyd Morris's autobiography, By Faith, Not by Sight, I see the parallels in their lives. Morris is also St Mary born and was a bright student at St Mary High School when he suddenly started to go blind. His marks and mental state plummeted and he left school without one subject. When he dropped out of school blind he went into poultry farming to earn a living, configuring the coop so he would not step on the chickens.

Do we understand the power of radio for the blind? Young Floyd was a dedicated listener and one day heard an interview on Dorraine Samuels' programme about the Jamaica School for the Blind. He called her and she encouraged him to relocate to Kingston so he could attend the school. “By faith, not by sight,” he sat the General Certificate of Education (GCE) exams with the assistance of his friends Gary Allen (CEO of the Gleaner-RJR Communications Group) and journalist Patrick Harley. In 2017 he earned his PhD from The University of the West Indies.

The first blind Jamaican senator and state minister, Floyd Morris is no tribalist. He speaks fondly of his schoolmates who were followers of “Uncle Eddie” while he admired “Joshua”. This thread of positivity and unity continues through his book, which is infused with the rich history of post-Independence Jamaica.

Hon Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender,
Entertainment & Sports lauds the Reggae Gilz

Girl Power

As we recall the kudos heaped on our Reggae Girlz by the Government we can use their example to strengthen our resolve for the new year. I had seen the excitement building for our national women's football team in posts by Cedella Marley tagged #strikehard. She gave unstinting support to the team and we are forever grateful to her, the team's management and coaching staff, as well as all players.

Of note, striker Khadija Shaw was named Footballer of the Year (above global male counterparts) by the UK's Guardian newspaper. She lost three brothers to gang-related violence, but soldiered on to score nine goals in 11 appearances. Now the Girlz have made history and are heading to the World Cup in France this June. 

Unsung heroes

Presentation to GK Male Household Worker of the Year Michael
Brown by MP Most Hon Juliet Holness and GK CEO Don
Wehby. Emcee Fae Ellington lauds the winner.

We tend to forget that we have champions literally in our own backyards, and so when GraceKennedy named Michael Brown as 2018 Male Household Worker of the Year, Jamaica was abuzz with the bravery of the 53-year-old who kept going at his job even after he lost a hand.

Rosemarie Forrester, Female Household Worker of the Year, advised her fellow workers, “You have to be just honest, work hard, and never give in.”

Guest speaker at the awards function, Member of Parliament Juliet Holness lauded Jamaica's household workers and called for them to be given the compensation and respect they deserve. She said they were veritable “magicians” in our homes.

GraceKennedy CEO Don Wehby noted that the company's household workers awards, named in honour of the late Dr Heather Little-White, celebrate Jamaica's unsung heroes.

Faith and national priorities

Dr Lucien Jones

Dr Lucien Jones' Internet ministry is a great boost for our faith in these trying times. In his post 'A Mother and a Nation Cries: A Good God answers in Jesus Christ', he mourns with the parents of a brilliant young doctor who lost her life in a crash in the US and the thousands of grieving families in Jamaica bereaved by violence and indiscipline on our roads.

He comments on the call of Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment-Brown for less political vitriol on social media, noting that some of us have elevated our political favourites to almost messianic proportions. This, he believes, has contributed to disunity and violence, “the sad story writ large of a people who once feared 'Massa God' and 'Puppa Jesus', but now have 'grown up' and fear neither God nor man”.

I was relieved that Opposition Leader Peter Phillips accepted the invitation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness for a meeting to address issues of national security last week. I believe it is possible to uphold the human rights of suspects, even as we protect the right of ordinary citizens to go about our business in safety — so I had hoped that the states of emergency would have been extended. We pray for the members of our security forces who face great danger as they work to protect us.

Plastic ban and dengue

The plastic ban and dengue outbreak are issues generating a great deal of political heat. Politicians thrive on headlines, but instead of the constant harping, why not use the opportunity to engage your constituents? MPs and councillors who reach out to citizens to educate them on the danger of plastics to our environment and the importance of addressing mosquito breeding sites will make themselves positively memorable.