National Bakery’s Gary “Butch” Hendrickson: Emboldening the Manufacturing Sector

March 23rd, 2016

Gary “Butch” Hendrickson is the kind of Jamaican businessman it’s hard not to like. He is clearly not one for grand speeches that highlight his struggles, his achievements and his philanthropic acts – although these are many. Others must highlight these things, because he does not talk about himself. It’s all about the bigger picture […]

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The Kingston Book Festival is On The Horizon: March 5 – 12, 2016

February 26th, 2016

Does your brain need refreshing after all the politics? I know mine does. I am feeling weary. What better way to indulge in mental relaxation and pleasure, then, than to participate in the Kingston Book Festival? The first public event, a “Love Affair With Literature,” will be on Sunday, March 6 (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 […]

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Down With Slacktivism! UWI Leads Seeks an Activist Voice

August 18th, 2015

A few days ago, I spoke to a group of University of the West Indies students about “Finding My Activist Voice Through Social Media: Activism vs. Slacktivism.” That last word was a new one for me, but I was honored to be invited to talk to such a bright group of young people, and it was […]

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The Cliffhanger of Climate Change: Where Are the Citizens’ Voices?

June 10th, 2015

The French do love the word “citizen” (“citoyen” in French) and I like it, too. It signifies strength and purpose; someone who has a positive role to play in their nation. So on Monday morning,  I was pleased to attend a “citizens’ debate” organized by the French Embassy in Jamaica, to discuss the broad issue of […]

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The Age of Narcissus

March 3rd, 2015

Narcissus was a foolish youth. Foolish, and beautiful. When I was doing “A” Level Latin at school – many moons ago – I remember reading parts of Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” including the story of Narcissus and poor little Echo, who followed him around. Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a forest pool. So […]

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Getting on the Highway – With the Right Mindset

February 4th, 2015

We hear a lot about highways, these days. They are the answer to all our economic problems. They bring growth and development. When I see photographs of the wide open spaces of the new North-South Highway, with hardly a car in sight, I do question this. But that’s another story. Last week, I attended a […]

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