· February, 2011

Stories about Jamaica from February, 2011

Jamaica: Nothing for the Youth?

  28 February 2011

“We too busy having dramatic, Days-of-our-lives type enquiries to stop for a minute and realise that this year, more than any other year to date, is all about us. It's about the African people. It's about youth”: Ruthibelle is dismayed that the UN International Year of Youth is not being...

Jamaica: Bloggers React to Banton Verdict

  23 February 2011

Despite bloggers' impassioned calls to “set the captive free”, the jury in the Buju Banton drug trial yesterday returned a guilty verdict on three of the four charges against him. The recent Grammy winner could be facing a sentence of as much as fifteen years behind bars. For many bloggers, the long-awaited verdict is an uncomfortable case of life imitating art - the critically acclaimed Before the Dawn, which won Banton the Grammy award for Best Reggae Album, includes “a song in which Banton proclaims he is wrongly convicted though God knows he is innocent.”

Jamaica, Haiti: Insensitive Treatment?

  22 February 2011

“The Haitians are clearly hurt and humiliated” over the treatment of its youth football team, writes Active Voice, some of members of which were found to be suffering from malaria.

Jamaica: Awaiting Word on Buju

  22 February 2011

As the jury in Buju Banton's second drug trial continues to deliberate, Jamaica Salt “keep[s] looking for the result – but if the jury couldn’t decide last time, things are more hopeful for Buju this time round.”

Jamaica: On “Buju Watch”

  21 February 2011

“Once again the Jamaican nation is on Buju watch”: Active Voice highlights the posts of some fellow bloggers to underscore her point that “Jamaicans are taking this very personally, it is as if the nation itself is on trial.”

Jamaica: Get Up, Stand Up

  18 February 2011

“Next year…Jamaica will celebrate 50 years of being an independent nation, but unless we take Bob Marley's words to heart and emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, our jubilee will represent nothing more than a fleeting, insignificant figure on time's continuum”: Ruthibelle thinks its time for Jamaica to grow up.

Jamaica: Banton Jury Deliberates

  18 February 2011

Jury deliberation in the drug trial of reggae icon Buju Banton begins today; YardFlex.com is keeping a close eye on developments.

Jamaica: Malaria Cases

  17 February 2011

YardFlex.com reports that the Ministry of Health has identified three imported cases of malaria.

Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago: Of Beauty & Bottoms

  10 February 2011

Stunner is incredulous over the skin bleaching phenomenon, saying: “Black is beautiful”, while Lisa Allen-Agostini “can testify that it is not easy for a black woman to be without a big bottom…the cult of the bamsee is strong.”

Jamaica, U.S.A.: Virtual Reality

  10 February 2011

“I wonder if people are somehow lulling themselves into a belief that the digital world is not real or somehow divorced from the real world”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac says everything is connected.

Jamaica: Bob, Our Hero

  8 February 2011

As Jamaica considers making Bob Marley a national hero, Repeating Islands comments: “And I had always (wrongly) assumed that Bob Marley was already a national hero. I do hope that he will soon receive this honor.”

Jamaica: Social Media is the Message

  7 February 2011

“How messages of revolution are transmitted is crucial…this is why…powerbrokers have always tried to control the media, whether these were the drums of the enslaved signaling revolt on Caribbean plantations or more contemporary forms of broadcasting which now include Twitter and Facebook”: Annie Paul thinks Malcolm Gladwell is wrong about...

Jamaica: Lessons from Marley

  7 February 2011

“One of the most striking aspects of Marley’s songwriting is his authenticity”: Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp wonders if bloggers can learn a few lessons from the late reggae great.

Jamaica: The Role of Social Media

  4 February 2011

“They add a different dimension to reporting of events, but to put them at the core of social movements is too strong”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac comments on the role of social media in events like the Egypt protests.

Jamaica: Patois Bible

  1 February 2011

Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp is “surprised at the bangarang in Jamaica over the Patois Bible”.