Emancipation Revisited

July 31st, 2017

Emancipation is a difficult word. It’s too long, for a start: five syllables long. When combined with the four syllables of Independence holiday it becomes that horrible portmanteau word someone invented (a Government official, perhaps?) a few years ago… Emancipendence. But I would suggest we could hardly celebrate them both together, in one breath. That would be trivialising the […]

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“Not a Poppy Show”: Activism and the Politics of Personal Conviction

October 15th, 2015

National Heroes Day is coming up. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on the inspiration that our heroes can infuse into our lives. At a recent Induction Ceremony and training session organized by the anti-corruption group National Integrity Action (NIA), members had a special treat: a personal insight into a period of youth activism at the […]

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Writing for Kids: Some Challenges and Possible Solutions

August 4th, 2015

At lunchtime today I made my way to the Ranny Williams Centre on Hope Road, where the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Independence celebrations were in full swing. A drumming group with energetic young dancers was on stage as I arrived – performing to hundreds of empty yellow metal chairs in rows. I found this rather […]

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A Time for Heroics

October 21st, 2014

“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure” is an oft-quoted remark attributed to Abraham Lincoln (although these may not have been his exact words). Nevertheless, Jamaicans take the spirit of these words to heart, as do other countries in the hemisphere and around the world. This week is National Heroes Week in […]

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