Jamaica Coming Together: An Action Plan

Let Jamaica become a model for the world of social transformation. The immediate task of the nation, as I see it, is to heal itself and come together for the benefit of all.

Some believe that coming together is impossible. I, on the other hand, know that it is possible. In fact, it is imperative for our future and the future of the children.

The approach to “Jamaica-Coming-Together” that I am about to suggest, comes from over thirty years of experience as a Master Life Effectiveness Advisor and Coach. I have seen this approach successfully improve the lives of many, bringing them closer together, thereby creating a greater feeling of safety and trust.

With all due respect, it is my hope that this article will stimulate creative dialogue, but more so, encourage daily actions on the part of every Jamaican that will make “Jamaica-Coming-Together” a reality.

I am not speaking about coming together when all the problems are solved, but coming together right now, by taking simple actions on a daily basis to help restore some of the trust that has been lost.

It seems to me, that the true spirit of the Jamaican people expresses itself in the lyric of Bob Marley, “One Love”. It seems strange however, that a country with such a spiritual core has a problem coming together.

In my work, I have found that the reason most people don’t come together is that they are afraid too. We simply don’t trust each other. Not really! It is not only here in Jamaica but around the world. Let us take a step here in Jamaica to heal that trust and be a model for other countries as well.

It’s funny how many times I have heard the phrase “Trust me man!” in Jamaica. Is it just a manner of speech, or is it because of a lack of trust inside that calls out to be trusted? How can we “come-together” if we don’t trust each other? I don’t only mean physical but emotional trust as well. 

In order to feel trust, real trust, you must feel safe. You can’t have one without the other. Take a moment and look at your day and see how much of it is spent in a state of safety and trust.

Do you feel physical and emotional trust in your business transactions or with the people you work with? Do you feel trust in your neighborhoods or in your homes with your families? Do you feel trust with your friends and the country at large?

Do the grills that surround your homes make you feel safe? Do the hordes of police and security guards around you make you feel safe? Does your defensive and protective language and behavior make you feel safe? I am not talking about surface safety here, but the physical and emotional trust that comes from feeling truly safe.

For years I have traveled and lived in many parts of this island and I find that fear and distrust have reached monumental proportions. We spend much of our waking lives protecting ourselves from each other. How can we come together if we don’t trust and feel safe?

We all want to be safe, that is a given, but it’s not only safety from gunmen and thieves, but from painful feelings that we inflict on each other every day as well. Let’s face it, much of our fear and mistrust comes from being hurt by others and we have developed ways of protecting ourselves that separate us and make us suspicious and unable to really “come-together”. In spite of this, I believe that most Jamaicans, as well as most human beings, want to trust each other. We are all in the same boat. 

The energy that is bound up in this lack of trust is enormous and it is keeping us down as individuals and as a country. Not coming together robs us of our true power.

In contrast, let us take a look at times when we do come together and there is a temporary feeling of trust: when we root for our Athletes for instance. That’s because we share a common goal and everything that seems to separate us disappears. When the team wins everybody wins. That is what it is all about.

If operating like a team brings us closer together and creates trust, shouldn’t we be looking to make Jamaica into a team? Let’s look at what it is to be a Team. A team is a group of individuals who have come together to achieve their individual goals by achieving a common goal such as winning a football match. When the team wins everyone wins, including the fans.

But how do we create Teamwork in a country? Teamwork is the idea that we can operate as one, like Bob Marley and many reggae artists have said. It comes from the actions we take daily to build a feeling of connection and communication.

It is the simple things in life that we do and don’t do on a daily basis that keep us from “coming-together” as a team. By taking care of the little things, the bigger problems sometimes take care of themselves.

I’ll give you some examples of simple actions that you can take on a daily basis to build trust, safety, and respect and stimulate coming together. When you are walking down the street or in a building, smile and wave at strangers. This gives us a feeling that others care enough to share good vibes. 

 When you are driving, allow another vehicle to pass ahead of you. Beep your horn in respect. If someone allows you to go ahead of them in traffic, then beep your horn to return your appreciation. Allow three vehicles a day ahead of you. It is a simple action, but it communicates respect and a desire to “come-together”. It could become contagious.

Don’t we talk a lot about respect in Jamaica? Respect! Let’s see it. Open a door for someone. Guide a senior citizen or a child across the street. Pick up a piece of garbage and throw it into a bin. Can you imagine if each person on this island picked up one piece of garbage a day and threw it into a bin? Buy a friend, or better yet a stranger lunch. Give something to someone who needs it.

Do something simple. Say thank you for anything that someone does for you. Listen to someone you are not accustomed to listening too; your children for instance? Listen to your employees. Listen to your constituency. Listen to your team members. “Seek first to understand rather than seeking to be understood.”

Tell someone how much you appreciate him or her. Don’t hold back. Tell them how much you love them even. Call someone you have not called in a long time and share how you have missed and love them. Call someone you have been avoiding, because of painful feelings, and create a healing by getting your hurt feelings out in the open. Make a big sign entitled “Jamaica-Coming-Together” or “We are all in the Same Boat. Put it on the front door of your office or work place. I’m serious. Write it on your buses. Put words like these in your dancehall and reggae tunes.      

Think of all the simple actions that can communicate that we are “coming-together” as a team, that we respect each other and we care.

If you want the country to “come together as a team” to win, you must start by taking action today. We will support you. Get involved. This is your life and your nation. Take responsibility for it and do something about it.

You think that every action and every communication that you take or don’t take doesn’t affect your life and the lives of your team members. Well wake up! It does! It is all part of the collective power of the nation. The communications you make every day and the actions you take at home and at work affect your team’s ability to win. We are all in this together.

To operate as one, and be a winning team, there must be clear and powerful channels of communication.

I challenge you as individuals, communities, churches and companies to focus for one day on open, honest communication from the heart. Let it flow, and let’s see what happens. Take one little risk. Ask yourself what you are thinking and feeling and be willing to communicate that feeling to another person you work with or with your family, friends or church members.

It is one little step. But “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” For one day focus on being real and communicating your joys and appreciation, but don’t hold anything in. If you sense that you are holding back your feelings, let them out and express yourself.

There are some of you who are reading this and thinking that what I am saying is foolishness, since there is great danger out in the world and we must be cautious. I am not saying that you shouldn’t be cautious. I am speaking of allowing yourself to express your true feelings, to feel your feelings, get connected to yourself and your real power as a human being and communicate. In this way you will be able to improve your life and contribute to yourself and your country by “coming- together with others as a team”.

If you are responding to these possibilities with anything but enthusiasm, ask yourself why? Why would you not want to become a member of the Jamaican Team? It is not only good for you, but for your company, community and your country. Why are you holding back? Maybe there are other areas in your life in which you are holding back as well. Why not try this approach. Nothing else has worked. Has it?

E-mail us at jamaicacomingtogether@yahoo.com with ideas about simple actions that can be taken on an ongoing basis to contribute to building trust. Let’s hear about your personal experiences in expressing your feelings and taking these types of actions to build your team’s ability to win. We will put some of your experiences in print, on the radio and on TV to communicate to others that what is happening with “Jamaica-Coming-Together” is working.

Even if five percent of the population takes one action every day, there will be a shift in the consciousness of how we see our country and ourselves. Those who don’t participate at the beginning will soon join us as they get caught up in the good feelings and excitement of the idea of becoming a team to win for everyone’s benefit. Decide right here and now to be one of the first to take action and as the Nikki commercial points out, “Just Do It”.

Friends! This is not magic. It takes commitment. Let’s see what we can produce when we take simple daily actions to communicate respect and our desire to come-together as a team to win. It is all about creating an environment of trust and it is trust that will bring us together. It is God’s will.

Onelove,

Dino DeFilippi

This article is the personal expression of Dino DeFilippi, Master Life Effectiveness Coach, who originates from the US, but lives, loves and is the leader of his staff of Jamaican consultants, trainers and coaches.

               

                                                 Dino DeFilippi        

                                                                Copyright 2007                                      

                                                                      

Dino DeFilippi

Permanent Resident of Jamaica

Chairman-CEO of Dino DeFilippi Enterprises Limited

1 Abbeydale Road

Kingston 10, Jamaica West Indies

Tel 876-371-4397 or 876-346-5892

Music and Events: Fela Tribute Oct 15

http://liveplug-emx.blogspot.com/2013/09/this-is-not-only-cache-of-info-on-great.html

Poetry: Tuffy de Gong

For him they marched through the city streets
Demanding a prominent place
On the coach's game sheets
Yet their passionate and intense campaign
Was met initially with disdain
We care not that this fellow can score
We have a full squad of players
Who needs one more?
Still their chorus was strong and loud
"Put in Tuffy and he'll make us all proud!"
And still, he was made to wait
While by a slender thread hung our fate

Till finally one damp rainy night
The Ticos were making us fight
A goal down and the minutes ticking away
There was only one thing left
Fro the new coach to say
"Our chances look dark and the minutes are few
But get on the filed and show what you can do"

From that very first touch
He showed just how much
he was eager to shine
And as the clock passed 89:00
He latched on to the ball
and a moment later.....one -all!

And joy has replaced depression and rage
The local boy made good on the international stage
The boss at the The Office
He showed he's no novice
And now in Waterhouse and beyond
The party goes on all night and
all day long
As people raise a cheer
For Tuffy - The Gong

Poetry: No News

Radio silence....Western powers dithering driven by the
shame of their own chemical-stained hands....Despots cling to power relentlessly....sports still scintillates.....and bearded believers are still willingly falling to
pieces over the promise of virgins
Beyond the clouds....No more of that
I can rejoin 2 days later and still
hear the same stuff
Fro now as the stories encircle
the pre-dawn air
I drift off
to make my own news

Poetry: Turbo Donkeycart

Clip-clop
the unhurried trot
So many lay
vicarious claim to the techonological
rush
marvelling at and revelling in
the gadget-filled veneer of
Progress
But otherwise at at standstill
Or at best
A mule's pace
Preening like the jackrabbit
Who can't see
he's no longer in the race
So quick to show
How much we have
But anxious really to mask
how little
we have produced
So much acquired
so little
Created
Still the ersatz rush
continues unabated
We sadly have not shed
An affinity to the whip
And many prefer
to ride in others' boats
than to build the ship
We present motion
As progress
and mistake mere
Presence
for prowess
On the economic Autobahn
were' a
Turbo Donkeycart

Poetry: "Angle Ma Bizniz"

The system, its evident
Deprived them of eloquence
A quartet born in tropical climes
With the Cold War
Long since thawed they stepped
into an arena tainted
by boycott and dope plot
their spikes left an impression

on that Moscow track
No handicap too great
no one could detract
from their sterling exploits
So post-race fluency
Be damned
A far greater statement had already
been made
Fro when all
is done and said
The Luzhniki faithful
Used to names like Vasily, Alexy, Pyotr and Boris
were chanting:   Javere
                         Omar
                         Edino

and Javaughn instead

Brands News: Voice Mail skate on the "Fire Blade"

Jamaican pop-dancehall duo Voice Mail have officially been signed as Fire Blade Energy Drink Brand Ambassadors and will be representing the new beverage in Jamaica and overseas.

Fire Blade Energy Drink is fairly new on the local market but has already gotten great taste test reviews and general feedback since hitting the shelves earlier this year. The Austrian made product is marketed in Jamaica by Indies Pharma Jamaica and distributed by World Brand Services, a subsidiary of the Grace Kennedy Group of companies

As the Energy Drink’s Brand Ambassadors, Kevin and Craig will be involved in the company’s advertising campaign to be launched in a matter of days as well as making numerous public and performance appearances in Jamaica, the Caribbean and The United States.

The Duo sees this as proof that their effort and input in the Jamaican music industry has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

Voicemail has 'upped the ante' this Summer with numerous releases including ‘Gyal Instruction' featuring Skinny Fabulous on the Guacamole & Chips riddim and ‘Fat Pocket’ on the Goosebumps riddim, the Video for the latter has already hit number 1 on Hit List’s local top 10 video chart.

‘Fire Blade is a high energy product and Voicemail has the high energy image, it’s natural that the brands would be a great fit’ Craig mentioned when asked about the synergy. ‘We are grateful for the opportunity to work with a fresh new high energy brand because Voicemail is constantly evolving and we are a constant voice in the local industry.

Burke's Works: Artist Inansi's Arresting Alchemy of Colour, Shape and Emotions

"That man is a success

who has lived well,
Laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of
children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who leaves the world better than he found it,
Whether by a perfect poem or a rescued soul,
Who never lacked appreciation of the earth's beauty or failed to
express it;
Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."

--Robert Louis Stevenson

The above quote was, ironically, not included in a revealing and engaging parlour game of artist/artistic quotations that comprised the centrepiece of the opening of the solo show by artist Nancy Burke (who signs as INANSI) at Kingston's Cafe What's On Friday last, but it may as well have been. It aptly describes the range and impact of her portfolio -  a cornucopia of colour and shape which in its totality represented only a fraction of what Burke has produced over a lifetime of devotion to art and crafts.

"Heartfelt"

led by sister Virginia, herself a mutli-faceted (graphic artist, cookbook author, businesswoman) the exercise called upon guests at the show to read

Usain

select quotes (alphabetically coded) from the likes of Oscar Wilde, Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Scott Adams (the cartoonist of "Dilbert" fame).

After each quote, Virginia, with timely interventions from her sister and other guests, filled in the gathering on "the back story" as it were, of Nancy's artistic life, from naturistic beginnings to sojourns in London and New York, to running -together - the art-based business Art Beat. (The name has survived, but the initial business in NYC was beat back by high costs and dodgy customers), with intervening stints as a flight attendant with the former Air Jamaica.

As stated, the works on display reflect a wide range of fascinations and ideas, from representing the faces  of famous persons, like Usain Bolt and Grace Jones, on smooth stones, to personal catharsis "Heartfelt" and keen, sensitive observations of contemporary urban landscapes. On the latter score, her assemblages of various city scapes, piecing together the flotsam and jetsam of today's convenience-driven world, bring the challenges and the complexities of our present-day life into sharp focus, and with a welcome sprinkle of good humour.

Big Rat

The occasion was in fact a double treat as it also marked the birthday of What's On proprietor Suzanne Couch, herself capable of weaving magic in the culinary and musical spheres. There wraps, wine  and other goodies courtesy of her more-than-capable kitchen, and the obligatory birthday cake in sumptuous chocolate. In between repeated casual and serious viewings of the works, there were conversations on a plethora of subjects, some sparked by a particular piece, others just  issuing forth on their own steam. Its the kind of vibe that one would expect from an artist of Burke's sensibilities - no great airs, no stuffiness, but serious dedication to producing the work that best represents her states of "heart and mind" in the present, and the kind of work  which, like the verbal expressions of the famous quoted subjects, will stand for quite some time.

"Winter Reflections"

"Paper Goddess"

Inansi

Movie review

All's Fair In Love and Crime: Get Lucky

Thieves who steal from thieves. Love and romance - of a fashion - amongst the gritty London underworld. Car chases, boat chases, beat-ups, close calls and shodowns in abandoned lots. They're familiar calling cards but in this plucky, if somewhat demanding little thriller, they don't lose much for all their familiarity.

Lucky is a small time criminal and he's happy just getting by until he agrees to look after some counterfeit money for a friend who is in a bit of trouble with the law Two months go by without a word from him so Lucky burns the 'funny money' to avoid problems for himself. The resulting fire means a trip to the emergency room where he meets Bridget and his charm has her agreeing to go out with him. Their date goes well until the end when two hoods bundle him into the back of their car. It appea
rs that they had bought the 'funny money' from Lucky's friend and they want it back - all £150,000 or Lucky will end up like his friend. Lucky needs to score big so he teams up with an old mate who is planning a big casino heist with a couple of other gangsters who's day job is collecting protection money for 'Mr Big'. The are looking to earn a bit of money 'on the side'. The heist goes almost according to plan but with one small problem - there's minimal cash and the rest is in bonds. It all starts to go wrong immediately. A prostitute who they have hired steals the bonds and the getaway car is stolen. Worse is yet to come. The two gangsters have not done their homework and they've actually just robbed 'Mr Big's casino. Their only chance to avoid their boss's severe retribution is to get the stuff back.

Director Sacha Bennett works the script (by the accomplished TJ Ramini and Walter Taylaur) with appreciable gusto, and whilst the acting is decidedly uneven, diminutive lead Luke Treadway as Lucky and a several of the "bit players" stand out in their respective spaces in the plot.

If you're not that used to the dialogue, this film may take a second screening to get used to but, its worth it if you like fast-paced action, spiced with a little sex (including a humourous incident involving a prostitute and one of the robbers).

In other words, its the perfect candidate for Testosterone Theatre. Sit back and dig in.

Magris x three: the latest offerings

Even by jazz standards (no pun intended), piano man Roberto Magris' creativity knows almost no bounds judging from his prolific output to date. Scarcely had I digested the last two, the consummately excellent "Alien on a BeBop Planet"
, and "One Night in With Hope and More, Vol.1", when Magris and his varied, ever-changing list of collaborators has sprung forth not two, but three new discs. The discs continue thematically in veins similar to that which he has previously mined; there is, instead of the Lee Morgan Tribute (which has so far taken up two full-lengths) a Cannonball Adderly tribute disc, and instead of Kansas City (though that storied jazz locale still features indirectly) there's a Philly exploration, aided by the Philly alto master (and Odean Pope Saxophone Choir alum) Sam Reed.

Of the trio, my favourite is in fact the Reed disc, titled  "Ready for Reed". For fans of straight-up post-bop with appropriate and finely balanced twists, this is an essential addition to your collection. Reed is in great form, and the simpatico between himself, the leader and the band as a whole shines through - almost to the point where it seems, only seems, mind you, that there is no leader. But of course, this is a Magris disc.

There's also - wait for it! - a follow-up

 to the One Night in with Hope project. Through out all these musical explorations, Magris not only keeps it fresh with the compositions and expositions, but manages, as always, to get maximum commitment and verve out of his musical cohorts. It begins in bouncy style with Herbie Nichols' "Third World" and runs through selections from Mal Waldron, Elmo Hope, of course, and -as to be expected - a couple of originals from Magris himself.


Music aficionados can continue in gratitude to the Italian-born instrumentalist as he mines the great troves of bop and post-bop tradition and takes them out for some fresh spins. Hail Magris!

Movie Review

This Is NOT A Dancehall Movie

One of the interesting and thought provoking entrants to this year's Reggae Film Festival set for August 1-5 at the Island Village in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is LOSING PARADISE & MUSIC, documentary film directed and produced by the multi-talented Jamaican-born singer, stage and screen actress, Claudja Barry.

Barry, who is greatly anticipation the showing of her documentary at the festival, says she'll also looking forward to joining the likes of leading female dub poetess, Cherry Natural and Reggae/Dancehall aficionado, Dr. Carolyn Cooper, in panel discussion of her creation, "Losing Paradise & Music".

According to Barry, "Losing Paradise & Music documents the negative impact Reggae/Dancehall music is having on society. However, Barry is of the view the language of Dancehall and the attitude of its performers send a negative voice to Jamaican youth and to the rest of the world.

Many of the persons appearing in the documentary echo a similar sentiment, and do feel Jamaica has become a culture of violence and that sending this message through its music, doesn’t help.

Barry, who is greatly anticipation the showing of her documentary at the festival, says she'll also looking forward to joining the likes of leading female dub poetess, Cherry Natural and Reggae/Dancehall aficionado, Dr. Carolyn Cooper, in panel discussion of her creation, "Losing Paradise & Music".

According to Barry, "Losing Paradise & Music documents the negative impact Reggae/Dancehall music is having on society. However, Barry is of the view the language of Dancehall and the attitude of its performers send a negative voice to Jamaican youth and to the rest of the world.

Many of the persons appearing in the documentary echo a similar sentiment, and do feel Jamaica has become a culture of violence and that sending this message through its music, doesn’t help.

Barry, who set out to hear the views of a wide group of Jamaicans on why Dancehall music has taken on such a dark image, admitted the documentary was a result of a personal quest to know if there were any redeeming qualities about Dancehall, which has taken on some sort of mystic persona by become the dominant sound emanating out of bowels of the Jamaica people over the past 20 odd years.

"I wanted to find out if Bob Marley's message of love, respect and caring were prominent in the music of today, which is dancehall, and if the current artistes are holding up the standards set by Marley and those of his era," says Barry, who interviewed psychologists, family life specialists, doctors and musicians for the project.

Losing Paradise & Music, which curiously zoomed in on dancehall's dark side, debuted on OMNI 1 TV in Canada earlier this year (February 17). And having chosen to look on the darker side of the music, one can't help but wanting to know whether Barry was about censorship.

"As an artiste, I don't believe in censoring others' creative output, but where I draw the line is when society fails to realize that without exposure to other forms of music, some people limit themselves emotionally, which will limit how the whole person develops," says Barry, a Jamaica who grew up in Canada.

According to Barry, she understands there are a generation of listeners who have heard only dancehall reggae and obviously enjoy that form of music.

I'm in no way trying to change anyone's preference, but, there should be music appreciation in schools, so that from an early age all children would have knowledge of all types of music," says Barry, who studied acting at the world-famous Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, then studied voice in Berlin and Vienna. She has also recorded several albums and appeared in the 1985 movie, Rappin', and was inducted into the Canadian Black Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

Wellness Fest (Black As Cole) Pt II: I-Frica, the Unrepentant Queen

Those thinking that the public outcry against her mini-invective against gays and pro-cannabis at the recent Independence Grand Gala would have chastened Queen I-frica were stopped in their tracks at Devon House on Saturday evening when the roots reggae artiste performed in the waning moments of the Reve Wellness fest.

Queen I-frica

After her usual admonishments to the sound crew in relation to getting her tracks in order ,the "Queen" issued a call-out to all the "straight" people in the house and got a fervent response in the affirmative that gave her all the juice she needed to go into "Keep It To Yuself" which in turn received the inevitable massive forwards. Neither did she restrain herself in her spoken pronouncements, though she did humourously acknowledge that "certain quarters" would rather she hadn't said what she said.

Her brief but lively stint offered yet another performance highlight following on the stellar earlier displays by reggae bands Black As Cole and Jewelz

Still Black As Cole....and better than ever

Anyone still questioning the future and potential of our indigenous reggae idiom [it means you haven't closely followed this blog :-) ] ought to have found themselves at the North (?) lawn of Devon House on Saturday. On that occasion, not only did female-led sextet Black As Cole reaffirm their status as the pre-eminent new reggae outfit in the land, but there was an added treat.

As the summer afternoon sun warmed up to critical mass (a strong hint of rain), the growing and enthusiastic crowd were treated to a similarly robust showing from

all-woman band Jewelz

an all-female outfit, dubbed Jewelz. Their repertoire on the day was, to my ears, limited to covers, but they were well executed, and spanned the gamut from Bob Marley and Lauren Hill to Chronixx.

That then set the stage for Black As Cole frontwoman Cecile, pleasantly reminiscent of the DapKings leader Sharon Jones and, if anything, even more soulful.With the supporting cast throwing down some irresistible grooves (especially bass player and partner Craig Cole who dished up bass lines that were both thick as mud and yet refined as glass), they took the crowd throu

Black As Cole band from Wellness fest 2012

gh a diverse collection of tunes, from the funky "Lovesick" to the mid-tempo "Maybe" and the socially conscious "Woman". Live music from both groups that well and truly lives up to the tag. A musical prescription that delivered wellness.

The performance was among several features of this year's renewal of the Reve Wellness festival, presented by jewellry and accessories designers Reve jewellery (Teasea and Duane Bennett. A wide range of quality and innovative art and craft items was also available

WHEN IS A TRIBUTE NOT A TRIBUTE….?

It all sounded so great at first and one could almost imagine oneself as a fly on the wall when the Bob Marley Tribute at the 2013 Grammy Awards was being posited and discussed. After all, the first and last (?) Marley sons respectively Ziggy and Damian along with Sting, Bruno Mars and – to top it all off (pardon the pun, if you saw her performance)  - reigning West Indian pop queen Rihanna. Other than reincarnating the Gong himself, what could be better?

But, with the benefit of several viewings of the vaunted telecast, one of several that increasingly give a sense of heft to an otherwise breathy and even featherweight  Grammy programme, a different sentiment begins to bubble up, if you will.

A number of things were re-confirmed for me in watching the Tribute, and in perfect timing so as to follow-up my last column on the roots reggae revival currently being touted on Jamaican shores (as an aside by the time you read this, both Protoje and Freddie McGregor will have hosted listening parties for new CDs in Kingston). Firstly, US audiences, whether white black or in between (but largely white) still love reggae music, and still associate it primarily with Bob Marley and his various progeny.

Take a look at the vibe inside the Grammy Hall on the appearance of first Ziggy then Damian on Sunday night – the audience was clearly electrified in a way that is not evident in any of the other artistes, not even Rihanna, who mauled the opening lines of “Could You Be Loved” . Seeing that, I’m reminded that though literal xhart success escaped him in his lifetime, Bo Marley built a global following almost solely on the appeal of the message and the music. Granted, times were different, but the overall principle remains the same: a connection was made in the 70s and that connection remains largely intact.

Which brings up the next point – the record industry, despite the verbiage about the Internet, iTunes, YouTube and other non-physical phenomena, remains very much a physical commodity, a commodity whose distribution is still controlled by a power structure, ie, the record companies. Just as the studio system still has its hand firmly on the release volume of major league films into American cinemas, the “record-breakers” the Clive Davises and Lyor Cohens of this world, still have their reactionary hands on the emergence of bona fide stars in the US market, whatever form that market takes.

The final point, and I’m open to anyone challenging me on this is this: whilst the individuals named, and others may not be racist in their own views and dealings, the power structure which birthed and nurtured them and which they naturally uphold, has NO room for another Jamaican music superstar on the order of a Bob Marley – especially if said superstar is black – in that US market. Yes, ther will be occasional big sellers and yes, black Jamaican artistes will have the opportunity to tour the US (the current visa scandal nothwithstanding, but that’s another column) and even to do the late night talk show circuit, as Beres Hammond recently did.

But, looking at Bruno Mars carry what was meant to be a tribute to the Jamaican King of Reggae, with his actual scions made subservient to a relative (if moderately talented) upstart, one really has to decipher the code and this – the next pop mega star may be black (we already had MJ and Prince) or just maybe he/she might be Caribbean (we’ll allow Rihanna for now – she’s malleable) but make no mistake: he will NOT be both.

Let’s see what happens next year.

OF BLACK FACE & PUBLIC FACE

Two Actresses in the Jamaican “Star System”

“The mask habitually worn by the actor is likely to become his true face”

-Plato

An interesting perspective from the Greek philosopher (educated, by the way, largely on Egyptian principles, but that’s another column). In the unofficial “arts hierarchy” actors, and stage actors in particular, enjoy a peculiar place – they’re nowhere as obscure or overlooked as writers or painters are, but they generally pale in comparison to music artistes. Dancers, at least those in the dancehall sphere, have carved out a special space for themselves, even as their counterparts in the more formal dance world remain virtual unknowns.

In Jamaica, there’s a star system, but its vastly different from what obtains in the self-obsessed US. Of course, comparisons are slightly unfair, given the scale and also the fact that, apart from the ongoing “cross-over” of celebrity screen actors to the stage, most career stage actors toil in relative obscurity.

Whatever the visual medium, Jamaicans like their stars accessible; entourages, publicity hacks and other retinue are for the music biz. It’s a common occurrence for random members of the public to acknowledge and even engage the best-known and most popular “celebrities”  - even the music stars - in light conversation, a virtually unheard of (or maybe bygone) practice in the US.

Its against that backdrop that I engage  Deon Silvera in conversation outside a busy shopping club in a Kingston suburb.  Silvera, of a quiet yet curious demeanour, ready to engage, is one of the best known Jamaican stage actresses and has also done television and big screen work, though her talents contributed to one such, the Denzel Washington vehicle, “The Mighty Quinn” ended up almost toally on the cutting room floor. Her portrayals span the gamut but are also littered with the kind of scrappy, boisterous urban women that represent today’s  social reality.

Our dialogue is frequently interrupted by stares, pointing fingers and the inevitable questions and greetings from passers-by, all of which she receives and responds to in good graces. “I don’t get tired of it” she remarks at on stage. “You know this is how our people operate, and in that way, its good for us as the actors to get that recognition.”

Contrast that with the attitude of Andrea Wright, a one-time teacher who is now known across the island as “Delcita” the name of a character (a type, really, but more on that in a bit) that she palys. Matter fact, Wright’s situation lends some credence to Plato’s quote, given that while Delcita is universally known, saying the name Andrea Wright might get you a chorus of “who?” This nickname culture is prevalent in Jamaica, and a generally throughout the Caribbean as well as the American South, tracing its roots back to slavery when families were broken up and original African names were discarded in favour of  Westernized ones and other less favourable descriptives.

Ironically, the Delcita character is played in the “blackface” style that also emerged in the slave period in the US and spread to the UK and her colonies. This “coon” depiction would be roundly booed in amny parts of the US today, but here, coupled with a healthy dose of Jamaican sayings and contrived comic situations, has made Delcita the #1 draw in Jamaican theatre. Lines stretch around corners wherever her productions play and women and even young girls speak of her as an “empowering” figure.

All of which has led Wright to disdain the charges (including my own) that she is deliberately upholding a negative stereotype. Speaking on a local radio show, Wright defiantly says “Delcita is a way that we can make people laugh and even dish out practical advice from the stage. I don’t have time to go back in no history book and fret ‘bout no coon or naything like that. The people not putting that on them head.”

This is largely true, notwithstanding the fact that several callers to the show did voice their displeasure with and opposition to the blackface representation and its transmitted values of loudness, ugliness and ignorance. Delcita is big news and big business, maybe not Hollywood-big, but certainly big enough nationally and among Jamaicans overseas, many of whom still have the rural-based “dunce-head” stereotypes still close at hand – and to heart. 

SPORTS TOURISM FOR JAMAICA

With repeated pronouncements of intentions to increase, upgrade and fortify the nation’s tourism product, we find ourselves, in this era, with a critical component of the trillion-dollar travel business being developed only in fits and starts

It’s even more worrying given the country’s ever improving standing in international sports circles. Way beyond our traditional dominance in track and field, Jamaican individuals and teams are posting good showings in international competition in racket sports, winter sports and even games like chess.

How can we parlay this recognition into visitor attention, and thus cold hard cash? Part of the challenge lies in staging our own international-caliber sporting events right here, an area in which our record has been potty, at best. This largely due to the general neglect of sporting venues and facilities. The National Stadium, built to coincide (and host) Independence celebrations in 1962, last held a multi-nation athletics meet in 2002, the World Junior Athletics Championships. Before that, one has to go back to 1966, and the Commonwealth Games. The annual high school athletics championships, or Champs, hosts a limited but growing number of overseas media and athletics scouts, and its lore in the international sporting fraternity is growing.

The Indoor Sports Arena, on land adjoining the National Arena, was built expressly for hosting the IFNA World Netball Championships of 2003. Since then, it has seen events of all types, from business to entertainment, but no other multi-nation sports tournaments. 

Of course, no “surface” is needed for the upcoming  annual Port Antonio Marlin tournament, which will see its 48^th renewal in the Northeastern town come October. The tournament is sanctioned by the world governing body, International Game Fishing association (IFGA), but overseas anglers are still relatively few in number, and the town lacks the general infrastructure to seriously accommodate more. 

In years gone by, golf took centrestage with the Johnnie Walker World Cup, but that event  ended after only five stagings. A cycling Tour of Jamaica was similarly short-lived. As the sport continues to struggle with doping issues, the premier country races like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia are seeking to piggyback on the improved visibility afforded by the London Olympics to bring visitors back in record numbers.

The latest private sports tourism initiative Jamaica Soccer Cup staged though the efforts of “south-coaster” Jason Henzell who was also instrumental in the staging of the Jake’s Triathlon, now in its 17^th year (staged in April). Another triathlon event of more recent vintage, the Jamaica Rose Hall Triathlon, is also bidding for international attention and will have its renewal come November in the western capital of Montego Bay.