Social Impact with Emma » human rights : A Jamaica Gleaner Blog

The Hidden Problem of Elder Abuse

September 30th, 2018

We often speak, nowadays, of our most vulnerable citizens and the need to protect and care for them. The fact is, their needs and concerns are often “swept under the carpet,” because they are unable or unwilling to speak up for themselves, and have no one to champion their cause. Because advocacy is certainly needed […]

Thoughts on Bastille Day

July 15th, 2018

In Jamaica, many parties and evening receptions are held outside, with stark shadows and artificial lighting. The annual celebration of Bastille Day (or Quatorze Juillet) on July 14 at the French Embassy is no different. The guests stand stiffly, almost in rows, while speeches are made, their faces turned slightly upwards. Then they begin to […]

CARICOM, The Patriarchy and Plastic Bottles

July 7th, 2018

Over the past few days, Jamaica, as incoming Chair, has been proudly hosting the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 39th annual Conference of Heads of Government in Montego Bay for approximately 200 foreign officials. We have been regaled with numerous social media posts, video clips with cameras panning across sunlit views of the coastline and happy, smiling […]

Not in Kansas Any More

May 30th, 2018

A friend of mine, who lives in much colder climes in Europe, recently expressed anxiety over a brochure that arrived on his doorstep, on how to prepare for crises: an act of terrorism, a natural disaster, a cyber-attack – perhaps, even, a military invasion of some sort. “This is a frightening reality check,” my friend […]

(Harry and) Meghan: What’s the Fascination?

May 20th, 2018

I spent this morning on my favorite social media platform (Twitter) catching up on the feedback to the #RoyalWedding (alternative hashtag: #HarryandMeghan with a tiny icon of two intertwined wedding rings). As expected, some of it was purely gushing. Others wished the newlyweds well – even if grudgingly so. Some sourly declared their lack of […]

The Young Politicos: I Want Something New

March 27th, 2018

I have been thinking quite a bit about youth and politics, lately. As a former member of a youth arm in the UK (the Young Liberals) while I was at high school, I am uninspired by our young politicos. They are all lovely, bright people, but they are hardly thinking “outside the box.” In fact, […]

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