Jamaica’s Funeral Culture: What’s Not to Love?

January 26th, 2018

This was the funeral of an alleged gang leader. It was particularly high profile and jumped straight to the headlines, because it took place soon after a State of Public Emergency had been declared for St. James; and this was in St. James. Tragically, one man was killed and five other participants were injured. The […]

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Does Kingston Deserve Its Bad Reputation?

December 27th, 2016

I am currently reading a book – a sort of cultural/historical tour of the Caribbean islands – which attempts to find a “common Caribbean culture.” I plan to write a review of it shortly. The chapters on Jamaica were disappointing. Jamaica does consist of more than tourist resorts (Rastafarians and tourists) and Kingston (gangsters). Is […]

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Man and Woman: #Beyond16Days

December 16th, 2016

OK, so this is how it seems to go, nowadays: Man meets Woman. Man and Woman begin a relationship. It may be love, maybe not. The relationship becomes a little more serious. The Man and Woman make some kind of commitment – marriage or “common law.” A child may or may not be born. Dynamics […]

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The Court of Public Opinion

October 27th, 2016

Dark clouds are hanging over the city again this afternoon. The last couple of weeks have been quite stormy (and not just the long, gloomy days we have been experiencing). There has been a great deal of upset over a murder trial, and the not guilty verdict delivered earlier this week. I am speaking of […]

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Little Children

January 20th, 2015

The great boxer (he is so much more than a boxer) Muhammad Ali once said: “Children make you want to start life over.” Thoughts about life and death and family and children ran through my head as I walked in the Jewish Cemetery on Orange Street today. From this large open space, I could see […]

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