-
-
Country Fast Facts: Jamaica
(CBS)The island - discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated, replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and a plantation economy - based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee - was established.
The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers.
Jamaica gradually obtained increasing independence from Britain, and in 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962.
Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering.
The cycle of violence, drugs, and poverty has served to impoverish large sectors of the populace. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy. Tell us why this is interesting (CBS)The island - discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino ... more -
Spotlight on VC2
Good afternoon, Current! Kelly here again with this week’s VC2 highlights.
Our Leaderboard winner this week is “The truth about People's Park” by dre_allday:
http://current.com/items/89293868_the_truth_about_peopl...
The pod refreshes our memory about the violent and inspiring history behind the creation of People’s Park in Berkeley, California, and tells us what the park is like today.
Next, meet “Portland's Super Hero” by SportsLifeMedia:
http://current.com/items/89347739_portland_s_super_hero
Calling himself a “costume activist,” Zetaman is a real-life superhero who patrols the streets of Portland and helps those in need. Get a little insight into the real-life superhero subculture and see what they do.
On the other side of the globe, NidhiSharma gives us “Young Indian Suicides”:
http://current.com/items/89333434_young_indian_suicides
Stress is high for grade 12 students in India, so high that students are committing suicide to escape the pressure. Discover why this is happening and hear about some of the things that could be done about it. (Suddenly, the SATs don’t seem so bad!)
Keeping things international, next up is “Gay Jamaican Cop” by sassyvelvet:
http://current.com/items/89341432_gay_jamaican_cop
Jamaica has earned itself the reputation of being “the most homophobic place in the world.” This is the story of a gay police officer in Jamaica who now lives in hiding because of the abuses he suffered due to his sexuality.
And to end this on a positive note, we have DrFrankenSteiner’s “Blind Iditarod Racer”:
http://current.com/items/89333981_blind_iditarod_racer
Rachael Scdoris is both legally blind and a dedicated dog sled racer. Check out how she races the Iditarod, a harsh 1,150 mile sled race across Alaskan terrain.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Spotlight, and I’ll be back next week with more. Happy Tuesday, Current! Good afternoon, Current! Kelly here again with this week’s VC2 highlights. ... more -
Gay Jamaican Cop
Profile of a gay policeman working in the notoriously homophobic Jamaica.
-
Family of Skin Bleachers
Despite being entirely illegal, skin lightening creams are big business both in the UK and in Jamaica - but who are the women - and men - who use them? And who sells them? Despite being entirely illegal, skin lightening creams are big business both in the UK and in Jamaica - but who are the women - and me... more
-
Spotlight on VC2
Hey, folks! Kelly here, giving you the lowdown on some of last week’s most awesome new pods.
Let’s start out with our latest Leaderboard winner, Down to Dribble by Danielmklopp:
http://current.com/items/89303483_down_to_dribble
This is an inspiring pod about a group of guys from the US who travel to Peru to set up a four-day basketball camp for the young boys of an impoverished village. Check it out!
Next up, Family of Skin Bleachers by sassyvelvet gives us insight into the practice of skin bleaching in Jamaica:
http://current.com/items/89328481_family_of_skin_bleach...
This disturbing trend seems to be reaching new heights of popularity across the globe, and this pod reveals some of the social pressures that drive both women and men to bleaching, as well as the potentially devastating side effects.
For something a little more lighthearted, raskin gives us China's Tsingtao Beer:
http://current.com/items/89328614_china_s_tsingtao_beer
The beer festival has been pushed back a whole month, but that doesn’t mean that Li Du and Zach Mexico can’t make a beer festival of their own! Travel with them as they reveal some of the history behind China’s Tsingtao Beer and bring us some highlights from Beer Town.
Speaking of overseas, if you’ve ever wondered about the business of offshore banking, trousersOsaurus_rex enlightens us with his pod, Offshore Banking 101:
http://current.com/items/89326557_offshore_banking_101
I’m afraid it’s not as shady or exciting as the movies make it look, but hearing about the rise of banking in the Cayman Islands is interesting all on its own. And hey, in the midst of a financial crisis, a little tax-free banking might be sounding good right about now, right?
And finally, cinquanta5000 speaks to the author of the best-selling book “The Pirate's Dilemma” in this pod, Pirate’s Dilemma:
http://current.com/items/89320897_pirate_s_dilemma
A teasing insight into the effect of pirating on social evolution and innovation, this pod just makes you want to hear more. Not to worry, the book is up for download on The Pirate Bay.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Spotlight, and I’ll be back next week with more. Happy Tuesday, Current! Hey, folks! Kelly here, giving you the lowdown on some of last week’s most awesome new pods. ... more -
The five least gay tolerant places
Jamaica?!? Really. Come on Jamaica. I mean the Middle East and Africa are to be expected, I guess, but Jamaica. So not Jah love.
-
Crazy Lee Scratch Perry?
On this edition of the Daily Fix Backstage, we catch up with the legend himself, Lee "Scratch" Perry, to get his story on politics, people, and pum pum? On this edition of the Daily Fix Backstage, we catch up with the legend himself, Lee "Scratch" Perry, to get his story on po... more
-
Bolivia added to drug blacklist
In annual findings on the global illegal drug trade, Bush for the first time says Bolivia had "failed demonstrably" to meet its obligations to battle narcotics under international accords and US laws governing overseas aid.
Bush's comments came in a memorandum for US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, dated Monday but released at the White House on Tuesday, identifying 20 major drug transit or drug producing countries.
Bush put Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela on the list.
The US president noted that appearing on the list does not necessarily mean governments are not trying to stem the flow of illegal drugs or are not cooperating with Washington.
Instead, it can be "the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced despite the concerned government's most assiduous enforcement measures," he says. In annual findings on the global illegal drug trade, Bush for the first time says Bolivia had "failed demonstrably" to meet ... more -
Usain Bolt Returns to Jamaica a Hero
Big up yourself rudebwoy!!!!!
-
Hardcore Electro meets a Jamaican slaughterhouse // THE SYSTEM
The System by Waterhouse artist Terry Lynn is the first music video combining the efforts of The Rickards Brothers and is meant to serve as a hard introduction to the creative abilities of the team.
The System was shot on location in Porus, Jamaica utilising HD video and Rickards' still-photography techniques.
The composition, texture and use of natural light in The System is intentionally similar to a series of photographs taken by Rickards in 2007 known as 'Friday Morning Market'.
The photographs from this series documented a day in the life of a typical slaughterhouse located at the back of a community market in rural Jamaica.
In The System, the struggling of doomed animals, the brutality and indifference of the butchers and the slaughterhouse itself will be presented as a series of visual metaphors that relate to the lyrics in Lynn's song.
To be precise, the violence and nonchalance of the killers are direct references to the police while the pigs are a clear reference to the victims of police violence within a seemingly inescapable garrison - the slaughterhouse.
Artist: Terry Lynn
www.kingstonlogic.com
Album: Kingstonlogic 2.0
Phree Music/Last GangRecords
www.phreemusic.com
www.lastgangrecords.com 2008
Directed by the Rickards Bros.
www.afflictedyard.com The System by Waterhouse artist Terry Lynn is the first music video combining the efforts of The Rickards Brothers and is meant to ser... more -
Rankin Scroo's OFFICIAL "Dream Dream" video feat. Lutan Fyah
Crucial Youth Productions presents Rankin Scroo's OFFICIAL "Dream Dream" video featuring Lutan Fyah off the new album SOLID. Directed by Tiffany Shanel
www.rankinscroo.com Crucial Youth Productions presents Rankin Scroo's OFFICIAL "Dream Dream" video featuring Lutan Fyah off the new album S... more -
Adopt A Band
Respected music producer/songwriter Mickey Bennett is calling on the private sector to invest in live bands amidst the success of Jamaican athletes in Beijing.
Money and philanthropy is to be gained from such investment, he said. The average touring band earns US $1,500 a week, which could serve as returns for investors.
"We are now wondering what the prime minister is going to do to celebrate the Beijing [achievement], and how much money will be spent. We always find money for the celebrations but those who need support they don't get the help, the lunch money..." he said whilst addressing members of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) at the Terra Nova Hotel All-Suites on Wednesday.
The drive called 'adopt a band' is already supported by conglomerate GraceKennedy and forms the nucleus of an initial group of companies to officially launch the drive.
"So far I have got a call from Jimmy Moss-Solomon at Grace and they have agreed to host a press conference to help sell the idea," he said.
Over the years, lots of trained musicians have exited the profession due to lack of the financial and managerial support. For instance, of the 2,000 ska bands touring annually, only two were Jamaicans. "Youngsters cannot afford to pursue their dream. Persons with talent are becoming music teachers with nothing to teach with but recorders," he said. "Imagine if we had 2,000 youngsters going away every week to tour."
"We have a tendency to only speak of our superstars when we consider our music and the truth is that these few are the exception. There are far many more practitioners of this craft who we never hear about but who are earning their living in this business. It is to this latter grouping that investors must turn their attention," Bennett declared. Respected music producer/songwriter Mickey Bennett is calling on the private sector to invest in live bands amidst the success of Jama... more -
Powerful Gustav heads to Caymans
Hurricane Gustav is moving towards the Cayman Islands as it continues to threaten Cuba and the US Gulf Coast. The storm has already killed at least 71 people as it passed through the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica. Gustav could develop into a category three storm over the weekend as it passes over warm waters.
The warnings came as New Orleans buried some of the last unidentified victims of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city three years ago. Both New Orleans and coastal Mississippi have been holding commemorations for the victims of Hurricane Katrina on the anniversary of the storm sweeping ashore.
Away from the US, Gustav strengthened from a tropical storm on Friday to become a category one hurricane and currently has sustained winds of up to 130 km/h (81mph), officials said.
The storm hit Jamaica with heavy rains and strong winds, tearing roofs off houses. It is now moving slowly, at about 12km/h (7.5mph), and there are fears that it could intensify as it lingers over the warm, deep waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Cuban authorities have already evacuated more than 60,000 people from low-lying coastal areas and have mobilised medical and emergency rescue teams to deal with the possible aftermath. The BBC's Michael Voss, in Havana, says that Cuba has one of the most efficient disaster preparedness and evacuation organisations in the region, but that the poor condition of housing in the capital could pose additional risks in a major storm. Gustav's projected path also takes it over the oil-producing Gulf of Mexico.
On Friday, residents of the Cayman Islands were boarding up windows and stocking up on supplies of food and fuel. Tourists on the low-lying luxury islands were flown to safety or told to ride out the storm in bunkers. Workers were being evacuated from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, as oil prices on trading markets rose amid forecasts Gustav could threaten oil installations in the region.
(continued at link) Hurricane Gustav is moving towards the Cayman Islands as it continues to threaten Cuba and the US Gulf Coast. The storm has already k... more -
Positive Outlook
Once a poster child for living HIV+ in Jamaica, Annesha Taylor knows firsthand that life after a positive diagnosis is not an easy one. The campaigns showing that there is life after a positive diagnosis are right — HIV is not a death sentence. But strong stigma and the difficulties of juggling family life, the batteries of medication and bouts of depression have left Annesha fighting to survive.
A synthesis of video, photographs, poetry and music, all inspired by Kwame's reporting in Jamaica, can be found on the interactive site: www.livehopelove.com Once a poster child for living HIV+ in Jamaica, Annesha Taylor knows firsthand that life after a positive diagnosis is not an easy one... more -
Jamaican sprinters shatter world record
The Jamaican men's sprinters broke the world record while claiming the 4x100m relay title in Beijing this evening, winning in a time of 37.10 seconds.
The team victory also marked an amazing third world record in as many finals for Usain Bolt, who also won the 100m and 200m titles. The Jamaican men's sprinters broke the world record while claiming the 4x100m relay title in Beijing this evening, winning in a t... more -
Why the Jamaicans are running away with sprint golds in Beijing
"5. Until recently, no national drug testing system: Maybe this is a factor and maybe it's not. If you assume that all Jamaican athletes are clean, then it's not a factor. But the fact is that Jamaican athletes are subjected to less out-of-competition drug testing than, say, U.S. athletes. Just before the Games, Jamaica announced the formation of a domestic drug-testing body, which might soften suspicion." "5. Until recently, no national drug testing system: Maybe this is a factor and maybe it's not. If you assume that all Jamai... more
-
What's the secret of Jamaicans ?
They win the most speedy competitions ( 100-200 metres, etc.) at olympic games, without problems, beating United states athletes. What is their secret ? Their Physical features, training, mental superiority, historical factors ? What else ? Someone can answer ? They win the most speedy competitions ( 100-200 metres, etc.) at olympic games, without problems, beating United states athletes. What... more
-
Jamaica wins another gold medal
Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Jamaica claimed another gold medal in track and field at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday, as Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women's 200 meters.
Campbell-Brown defended her gold medal from the Athens Games, winning the race with a personal-best run of 21.74 seconds. American sprinter Allyson Felix, the silver medalist in Athens, was second to Campbell-Brown once again, finishing in 21.93 seconds.
Jamaica also won the bronze medal as Kerron Stewart posted a time of 22- seconds flat, crossing the finish line just .01 seconds ahead of Muna Lee of the U.S. Stewart also took the silver medal in the 100 at these Games. Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Jamaica claimed another gold medal in track and field at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday, as Veroni... more -
Olympics boss rebukes showy Bolt
Olympics boss Jacques Rogge has told Usain Bolt to show more respect for opponents after the Jamaican claimed the first sprint double for 24 years.
Bolt showboated at the start and finish of his world-record breaking 200m race and slowed up yards from the line in the 100m final so he could celebrate. Olympics boss Jacques Rogge has told Usain Bolt to show more respect for opponents after the Jamaican claimed the first sprint double ... more -
US Protest Of Women's 100-Meter Final Rejected
Associated Press
BEIJING; The U.S. track and field team's protest of the women's 100-meter final at the Olympics was rejected Sunday night.
The Americans asked that the race be reviewed because of a possible false start by Torri Edwards, one of the country's sprinters.
Edwards herself said she thought she false-started. She wound up finishing last as Shelly-Ann Fraser led a Jamaican sweep of medals in the dash. Associated Press ... more
-
related topics
Jamaica
Contributors (184)
Jamaica
