Legendary black standup comedian Nipsey Russell often quipped: “Marriage is an institution and love is blind. After seeing what some of you have for wives, you MUST be blind!” I love you Nipsey, but you’re wrong. I wholeheartedly believe in...
The enormous profits and global dominance of the Big Tech hyperscalers are rarely out of the news and, almost daily, there are new reports on how they have undermined society and democracy in the pursuit of profit. Today, there is a better...
If our people were a bit more patient maybe we would allow ourselves to see the dots lined up and constantly connecting. Of course, there may be some of us who see good reason in the ‘virtues’ of impatience, especially in light of the security...
In this edition of Reparation Conversations, Michael Barnett responds to an opinion piece by St Aubyn Morgan published in the Jamaica Observer of April 12. Barnett outlines some of the many justifications for reparation for the trans-Atlantic...
As I drove past, I observed the very young children being ushered in. The sign caught my eyes. Tugged at my heartstrings. It read ‘Small Treasures’. This immediately distinguished the attendees and announced to all onlookers that our youngest of...
The right to full independence inheres in us as a people, as a reflection of our humanity, and it is a matter of the deepest regret that in 1962 Jamaica did not seek a form of independence that would have separated us constitutionally from the...
Many heads swivelled when the notoriously salacious Lady Saw switched identities and became Minister Marion Hall. Before the ink was dry on that reinvention of self, the dancehall diva subjected her fans and critics to more shock waves by...
In an ideal world, those who have a knack for counting trees would study and specialise in tree counting and would be revered for the diverse contributions they make as professional tree counters. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal world. Hardly...
Columnists, including your not-so-humble scribe, do a lot of writing about governments’ obligations to their citizens. This often begs the question, “Do citizens have any obligation to Government?” Yes, they do. I’m not referring to the obvious...
Growing up in St Andrew, my exposure to the bauxite-alumina industry was the view of the mud lake visible from Mount Diablo on the way to the north coast. As a young university graduate interested in environmental matters, I recall listening to...
For the Commonwealth Caribbean States, the resolution of the issues relating to the removal of the Queen as their Head of State has been bedevilled by what I describe as the colonial doctrine of gradualism and lack of readiness. According to this...
Last week, I reviewed and commented on an inspiring message about the meaning of Christ’s resurrection delivered by Swallowfield Chapel’s Pastor David Henry. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Most understood that the message was proof of...
The Taino didn’t need to read science to appreciate what they saw before their eyes. They saw the same features that were recorded by naturalists and others in the 1700s and 1800s – that in the interior of the island, with its “countless hills,...
Scientists tell us that pandemics and epidemics may be an inescapable feature of life as we know it unless we address man’s unsustainable interaction with wild animal slaughterhouses. The resulting rise in zoonotic diseases (infectious diseases...
“Customs is an issue which touches a number of areas. Obviously, we will be concerned about the environmental impact from bags that we know are not being produced here, which means they have to be coming through our ports,” said Matthew Samuda in...
The announcement of plans to divest the Milk River Spa in Clarendon ought to be placed on hold at this time. Instead, the Parliament – Government and the Opposition – should take very seriously a German geologist’s comment with respect to our spas...
Recently, while in London, I attended the play Get Up Stand Up, reflecting the life and music of the legend, Robert Nesta Marley. I was supremely proud of that experience, even becoming emotional, especially as I witnessed the audience, rocking and...
The Resurrection is the centre-piece of Christian faith. Without it, Christianity crumbles like a bag of cookies accidentally sat upon. So the Resurrection isn’t something that can be taken on trust. It must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. I...
After more than two years of tireless efforts to balance economic survival with the protection of the health and wellness of global population, through a range of restrictive measures, it is certainly welcome news that the last several months have...
The proverb, anything too black, no good, is intelligible to everyone in Jamaica. It is a peculiar expression of self-hate that prods the average person to put a little milk in the coffee. Literally and figuratively, such expressions tell a...
April 18 is recognised as the ‘International Day for Monuments and Sites’ with ‘Heritage and Climate’ as its 2022 theme. This call stems from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) advocating through open, constructive, and...
Since Edward Seaga’s passing, meaningful efforts, including by the news media time and again, to goad Andrew Holness into addressing the structural issues that present challenges and confusion at the apex of Jamaica’s judicial system have been met...
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools,” Plato. According to recent polls, Jamaicans from all the socio-economic parts making up our society have hopped off the...
The public health impacts of the bauxite-alumina industry in Jamaica are the focus of this article. These impacts have been explored using community complaints from across the island reported in the media and the review of the only three known...
Jamaicans are among the world’s best in many things, including reggae music, Olympic sprinting, and creating political storms in tribal teacups. Recently, it was announced that Jamaica’s Government had nominated its Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina...
