The US Presidency’s security detail lands in Kingston

U.S. President Barack Obama will touch down in Kingston today for a quick visit. By all accounts (I am not in JA), the roads he will travel on have been paved and lines repainted; trash collected, mosquito fog sprayed and the city has been cleaned up in general. Including those pesky human beings who live and work on the streets. Apparently, some vendors who have populated a street near Heroes Circle have had their stalls demolished. And the squeegee boys have been cleared out from main intersections. I wonder where these people went? How will they make their living for these few days? How will they find money to buy food to eat? How will they rebuild their stalls? Why was it necessary to do this? Surely the President is aware of the phenomenon of poverty. Surely he would not be offended by the reality of urban Kingston. And surely those vendors will rebuild their stalls as soon as the President has left. I wonder what all these people were told when they were told to leave. Especially the young boys who hustle the streets- I don’t imagine they are overly obedient. In any case, the city will be locked down later today and tomorrow and then life will get back to normal.

Happy Easter from beautiful Hope Gardens.

Yesterday morning, I was making my way up to the University of West Indies campus to visit the library. I was on a bus and it seemed to be taking longer than usual. Then we came upon the US Embassy. At first, I noticed that the line of people waiting for appointments under the covered walkway was absent. Then, I noticed many police cars, Jamaica Defense Force soldiers with their rifles and dozens of police officers walking around. Then I noticed a huge crowd and some media across the road. Something was clearly going on. A bomb threat? I thought. But the person I was on the phone with laughed and said “Jamaicans don’t care enough to do that.”

We now find out, a week before US President Barack Obama’s visit, that a “Caucasian” man (as identified by the media) threw a bag over a fence. He is now in custody, under investigation. This is very strange. I hope we get some answers.

I met Jovan a couple of years ago in the community of Mountain View. He is a bright, ambitious young man who lives in an impoverished area of Kingston. But poverty isn’t the only thing going on there. There are a few flourishing businesses, a brand new, solar-powered Internet Cafe and an active community organization run by Francena and Ann-Marie. Crime has decreased in this area and things seem to be turning around. But back to Jovan. He was working at Burger King when I saw him last, and he was proud of this job. It seems he is flourishing too, thanks to the help of a business mentor and former Cuso volunteer Donna Gabbadon. Donna apparently helped Jovan to develop a business plan for a bamboo venture when Jovan expressed frustration at the lack of opportunity in his community. Check out the inspiring story here. And here is Jovan in his own words:

Since participating in the mentorship program and developing his business plan, Ottey entered it into a competition organized by the Diaspora Youth Connect program, the Mountain View Community Development Council and Diaspora for Development. Placing second, Ottey will receive start-up equipment for his company. He is now hopeful, and his next step is to start his company, which he plans to name Innovative Bamboo Furnishing and More.

“I just want to create a life experience and right now I am looking ahead to target investors and the wider market over the next six months,” he said.

Getting a haircut at the barbershop at the YMCA. Young men are trained to cut hair at this program that addresses those who dropped out of school or have difficulties in school.

There are no coincidences, especially when United States President Barack Obama is coming to visit. Two weeks before his scheduled Apr. 9 visit to the island, the National Works Agency announced a major road repair project of the “corporate area.” The President’s cavalcade will most likely be using these roads. So for the next two weeks, we shall expect gridlock as these potholes are finally filled. Let’s hope that high quality material is used so that the repairs last more than a week and are not just cosmetic.

I wonder what other projects will be undertaken in the area. What about the homeless people who sleep on the sidewalks? The garbage that overruns the streets? We are not hearing much, understandably, about the President’s schedule. Apparently he will take part in a town hall with university students. I wonder how these students are being vetted…I wonder if we will be able to walk around? Will the president try some jerk chicken? Will he go to a dancehall night? Will he visit Devon House, the home of Jamaica’s first non-white millionaire? It is safe to say, however, that everyone is working their contacts, trying to be a part of the action.

What with the smoke from Riverton hanging over the city and the unfortunately regular assortment of bad news, it seems time for some good news. Champs, the annual track and field competition for high school athletes, is underway, and records are already being broken. Formally know as the Grace Kennedy ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, the competition includes track and field events like sprinting, high jump and hurdles. It is often a showcase for future track superstars.

And right now, the city is awash in high school colors (the most popular being green and purple) and people are enjoying the enthusiasm and loyalty that come with watching these young athletes push themselves after months of hard training. Hopefully, the smoke is not affecting their performance, although we are being told the fire has been extinguished.

Pictured here is Calabar’s Lamar Reid, who broke a 22-year record in the high jump by reaching 1.99 meters. Congratulations to all athletes.

Beautiful, calming Winifred Beach in Portland.

WMW Jamaica is doing some wonderful work here to raise awareness about gender equality, especially in the media. I have had the privilege to work with them over the past year and have probably learned more than I have contributed. In their own words, here is what they do:

WMW Jamaica uses gender-aware media analysis and transformative action to cultivate gender-equity, justice and violence-free social relations.

And why the focus on the media? Again, in their own words:

The media plays a huge role in shaping our views of the world. How do we relate to pervasive messages about sex and relationships, power and politics, in news,  magazines, electronic media, social media? In this digital age, the more media literate we are, the more empowered we are!

Many of us, especially young women, are immune to the power that media has over our perceptions and ideas and beliefs. I know media images definitely fostered some of my own harmful beliefs about myself and my body. That is why, I believe, it is so important to develop a critical awareness, and all the better at an early age.

To help continue their work, WMW is hosting a fundraiser this weekend in the form of a play called Prayer Partner. Written by award-winning playwright David Tulloch, the play examines how far one man will go to win the affections of his lady love. The play stars local actors Michael ‘STRINGBEANS’ Nicholson, Chris Mcfarlane, Ricky Rowe/Ackeem Poyser, Suzette Barrett and Shana Wilson. If you are in Jamaica, I suggest you check it out. Call 969-7894 for more information. And check out WMW’s web site, above.