I managed to make it to the end of the march on Saturday and am so happy I did. It was my daughter’s first experience (despite a low fever) of what it is to participate in a protest movement. She will not remember, but I hope that when she is old enough to understand these issues, the world will be a better environment for her. Congratulations to the Tambourine Army, who have opened new spaces and new conversations.

(photo credit Jean Pierre Kavanaugh)

I wrote a piece for the Guardian about the Tambourine Army, a new group aimed at stopping gender-based violence in Jamaica. Check it out here.

This is an interesting collaboration. Chronixx, a promising reggae artist who is about as close to classic reggae as you can get now, is working with Adidas on a new clothing and shoe line. He is also a self-proclaimed Rastafarian, a faith that espouses the connection with the Earth and nature and eschews capitalism.

He explains it this way: ““A lot of people buy old stuff, but I don’t like it. I am very sensitive to vibroturgy and certain vibrations that get trapped in materials, so I can’t wear something pre-owned,” he says. “You want to look classic, but in your own energy in a new thing. I like when Adidas brings new technology to the classic fit, like in the tracksuit. It’s the same cut as in the past, but it’s breathable. You don’t feel old.”

Check out the story in Vogue here.

Prince Harry is in Montego Bay for a friend’s wedding and the tabloids are all over it, of course. He is staying at Round Hill, apparently a 5,000 pound a night resort. Vogue saw fit to post pictures of it here while someone seemed to have been able to sneak some shots of the prince.

Yesterday I ran the Melbourne Cricket Club 5K, with proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics, and the club itself. It was a small but well-organized event, through the streets of Kingston. I heard Mayor Delroy Williams say before the race that he wants the streets of the city to be buzzing with activity all the time, so it can become a hub of the Caribbean. I felt fast during the race and it was the best feeling to have my husband, daughter and some friends waiting at the finish line, smiling and cheering. Update: it seems I came fourth in my age group, ninth overall for females, and 78th out of 371 runners, with a time of 26:47, my fastest ever!

They seem beautiful, but we were not allowed in.

Just because. Young Skip Marley, a third generation Marley.

A beautiful and poignant piece about growing up gay in the Caribbean. Check it out here.

Idyllic lily pads, Hope Gardens

Yesterday we attended a Djembe Drum Clash at Emancipation Park. It was a lively event, with families and all sorts of people watching the vigorous drumming. There was also Kumina dancing, a blend of African and Jamaican dancing that originated from freed slaves from the Congo, who came to Jamaica in the 1840s and 1850s.