Apparently this 2017 cover for the Jamaica Yellow Pages caused some people to become quite unnerved. They did not like the poses or states of undress depicted in the scene from a dancehall party. I think it is beautiful, but more importantly, do people still use phone books???

As many people point out, where are the churches when we hear of too many horrific stories of murder and abuse, especially of children?

This weekend we participated in the Climate Walk, which I assume is to raise awareness about climate change. It was a parade of several hundred people that wound its way from Emancipation Park to Halfway Tree back to the Park. We left at about four p.m., sandwiched between marching bands and an electric car from JPS. It was a festive atmosphere, with people of all ages holding signs, dancing and singing. It was curious, however, why the organizers decided to have cars accompany us, blaring sounds and exhaust. In addition, they distributed plastic water bottles, which many people promptly discarded. It was a long walk, it seemed, as we had to contend with road traffic and curious onlookers, especially in the madness of Halfway Tree, where amused vendors and pedestrians took pictures. It was also a long walk as my daughter became frightened of the noise and I had to carry her in my arms most of the way. We finished the walk in the Park, where dancers performed routines, people ate food and perused the booths and danced. All in all, an enjoyable afternoon.

It seems the “Gully Queens” have found a new place to live. They are now in a storm drain just south of where they were before they were kicked out by police.

And it also seems the latest Gofundme campaign has stalled. Check it out here, please, and donate if you can. This is a video recently filmed in Portland, with some of them, in which they got to wear designer clothes for a day.

I heard Chronixx today for the first time in awhile. I was reminded what a brilliant lyricist he is. Enjoy.

It was dying:(

Check out this video from Jamaicans for Justice. Amnesty International also last week released a report  on extrajudicial killings. It is quite disturbing.

It was interesting over the weekend to see how different nations treated Fidel Castro’s death. In Jamaica, the media regarded him with reverence, with the Observer giving him the first 18 pages of coverage and the Gleaner the front and inside page. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized for his press release celebrating the “leader”. And U.S. President-elect Donald Trump simply Tweeted:

A study in contrasts and perspectives.