Blackbright_Nov_2010 - elena_Blackbright May 2008 06/11/2010 22:43 Page 1
Black - B r i g h t Stimulates - Educates - Motivates Issue 22
THOUGHTS ON ‘GREGORY’ Editor’s Note
Jamaica Dogsled Team Overview
Trinidad and Tobago Wins!
Junior Kelly Biography
Barack Obama There was a time not so long ago.... “...too smart, too black for declining America”
Blackbright_Nov_2010 - elena_Blackbright May 2008 06/11/2010 22:43 Page 2
who did not truly believe how influential his music had became. I never quite understood how, whenever the name ‘Gregory’ was mentioned in the Caribbean circuit, people automatically assumed it was Gregory Issacs, and it nearly always was!! Gregory born on 15 July in 1951, was born in Fletchers Land area of Kingston. His early attempts as a credible solo singer were unsuccessful, so he formed a trio called the Concords which split up after a brief spell, in 1970s. He founded African Museum and teamed up with his friend Errol Dunkley. Gregory launched a solo career with his first memorable hit ‘My Only Lover’, and thereafter it was classic after classic with tracks like Love is Overdue; Extra Classic, Loving Pauper and tracks too numerous to mention.
Editorial My thoughts on ‘Gregory’ It saddened me to hear about the death of Gregory Isaacs. I remember hearing that he didn’t want to see anyone, and then just a couple of days before his death that he was in a coma, and I thought: “it won’t be long now”. It is always heart-rendering when someone dies so prematurely. Was it peer pressure, ignorance or fear that drove Gregory to cocaine? I wondered if we, his fans, had put too much pressure on him to be the ‘Cool Ruler’. Could he have simply underestimated the addictive power of the drug? We will never know.
Night Nurse (1982) brought him mainstream success and reached the UK charts. Night Nurse was played all over the world and was even used on the UK advert for the non-prescriptive cold medicine on our TV screens. Notwithstanding a 6 month stint in Kingston Penitentiary for drug related activities, like Jah Cure, the confinement gave him time to reflect and inspired ‘Christmas behind bars’, ‘Jailer, jailer bring me water and’ and his ‘Out Deh’ album came out in 1983. It wouldn’t surprise me if the track: “Mr Cop” was inspired by the 50 times it is alleged he was stopped by the police and arrested!
I remember being backstage with John Holt as he prepared to go on stage at Hammersmith Palais, a while back. I remember thinking to myself, I wonder if you realise what an icon you are? I wonder if you realise how many people adore your music? Yet, regardless of how experienced or popular we are, we can still be nervous to face the public because we know the public can make or break us! I saw a moment of fear in John’s eyes when it was nearly time for him to go on stage but John never dabbled in coke to conquer stage fright, he simply asked all of us to leave for a few minutes so he could meditate and pray.
Yes, Gregory Isaacs the Cool Ruler, notorious for his Fedora hats and suits, will always be an integral part of the lovers rock era for many years to come. As with anyone who achieves success quickly, there is always the fear of failure - that fear can either build or destroy.
Yes, many of us put the fear of God into our artists without realising it - especially when artists have come from humble beginnings where no-one wants to know, to all of a sudden being placed in the public eye and probably cannot understand how they got there and question whether they deserve to be there. In their heads many feel insecure and as though they have to prove themselves - probably cannot believe that it is their natural talent that allows us to love them with feeling!
We should not remember Gregory for his drug addiction but for his addictive vocals and extraordinary talent! Big up and nuff respect to Gregory Isaacs 15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010 (R.I.P)..
I believe Gregory Isaacs was a man who didn’t actually believe how great he was - a man 1
Blackbright_Nov_2010 - elena_Blackbright May 2008 06/11/2010 22:43 Page 3
Talkin’ Blues...
COntents
(a Relationship Forum for Men & Women) A PROBLEM SHARED, IS A PROBLEM HALVED Talkin’Blues is a relationship forum where adults talk freely about issues affecting them in relationships.
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Editor’s Note My thoughts on Gregory Isaacs
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Letters to the Editor about Relationships
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The Fighter Spartacus R (RIP)
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There was a time not so long ago...
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Did you know...???
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Toronto Star, Canada: “Obama too smart, too black for declining America”
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Junior Kelly Biography
Unmet needs are causing break-up and frustration – many do not know what is expected of them within a relationship, while others feel unable to talk freely and openly with partners, about certain things that bother them. Talkin’ Blues is a forum where Loy and Stapleton will present different relationship topics submitted by attendees and online participations, and anyone can ask questions, raise concerns or just listen. The forum is open to anyone over 18, who would like the opportunity to discuss challenges and/or concerns in a place where there are others experiencing similar situations in a safe haven.
10 Words Of Wisdom Pathfinders
The forum is held at 27 Axe Close Marsh Farm LU3 3NT on the 1st Saturday of the month, from 6p.m. – 8p.m (except Bank Holiday weekends) Please call to confirm alternate date and times. Refreshments are provided and there is a £2.50 admin fee.
11 Jamaica Dogsled Team Overview 12 Double Consciousness 12 The Good Neighbour by Paul Green
Contact Details: Email: talkinbluesforum@aol.com Myrna Loy: 07915 062 775 Claudette Stapleton: 07904 385 584
13 Sophia Squire Reggae Songbird
Website: www.facebook.com/talkin.blues www.myspace.com/talkin_blues
14 Selfmade by Carl Foster 16 Marcus Garvey JNR Speaks The Time: August 1914 17 Trinidad and Tobago Wins!
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Single - Choice or Circumstance? (Male Response) THE FIGHTER
RESPONSE to single woman still seeking.. This subject has been spoken, discussed and written about for years and years and years. I believe, maybe controversially, that men are predominantly responsible for the adverse behaviour and attitudes of the modern woman.
Blackbright News The Total Quality, Information-Based Publication that Stimulates, Educates, Motivates & Elevates developed to redress inaccurate perceptions!
There still, unfortunately, exist male chauvinists who will not except that there can be women who can do anything better than a man, sad but true. Once upon a time, most women would except the actions, comments, behaviour and decisions of these type of men with very little or no challenge. Nowadays women are braver, stronger, far more vocal and prepared fight for what they know is fair treatment. They are not so easily intimidated by males demonstrating blatant discrimination or sexual harassment particularly in the work place.
email: blackbrightnews@aol.com www.myspace.com/blackbrightnews Managing Editor: Myrna Loy Graphic Designer: Elena Andrijauskaite Front Page Photo by Carole Melville ‘Northern Image’ ISSN No. 1751–1909 This is an Online Publication Only
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I believe that this verbal weapon used against men to deter potential unfair treatment (or unwanted advances) is now so readily and frequently used by many women who use verbal attack to communicate, and this now appears to now be normal. This can usually only be negative and defeats the objective of maintaining good communication with a view to sharing a meaningful long lasting relationship.
THE FIGHTER So far so good said I, yet another round And I'm battling on. I'm supposed to be tough courageous and strong That's why I've won every round
How many of these statements have you heard before:
“She just doesn’t understand me” “I just can’t talk to her”
Since the big fight began With the help of my parents Brothers, Sisters and friends I'm winning this fight With my wrongs and my rights But the crowd is not cheering They're not even caring And the Ref, well he's out of sight
“I keep having to say the same thing to him over and over again.” “He’ll get it wrong first then he might ask my opinion..” “It’s a waste of time talking, we just end up arguing” “Last time I told him what was wrong, he walked out!”
Innocent Bystander glances at me Only half aware and refusing to see He thinks I'm just playing and sleeps as I bleed.
Communication appears to have been reduced to a competition to see who is ultimately right; who can shout the loudest; who can come out on top or ultimately who can embarrass the other into submission.
Now my face is disfigured my features have changed I have no more teeth and my back is in pain My legs feel like jelly my eyes can hardly see But I keep on trying to set myself free.
Is it any wonder that either side decides to remain single or have a relationship with someone of a different background or culture, I think not. Many people look upon it as looking for the easy way out but it really depends on the individual circumstances and cannot be wholly quantified in such a manner. For example, some black men may wish to dominate a black woman with his over-powering, male testosterone driven, cave man views of women. He may, however, find that a lot of modern black intelligent women will not stand for it and kick him to touch. He may find it easier to get a white partner to accept his behaviour and so pursue a relationship in that direction instead. On the other side of the coin, a black woman may have been betrayed many times by different black men and decided to try a relationship outside her culture in her pursuit of happiness.
And I know I'm winning cause I'm still on my feet Even on my knees, I still won't give up However much I may bleed I'm never gonna stop Yet no one will notice me until my fight is lost Then they'll say how brave I was How strong and gentle sweet and tough They'll give me qualities I never even dreamed of Then wallow in the shadow of my glory - Their loss.
by Spartacus R
Being able to communicate intelligently, constructively and without the unnecessary need to be in control over the other party, is key to sustaning any relationship. Each side may need to look at themselves to see whether there are aspects that they can change or improve in order to contribute to better verbal interaction. Then maybe we can talk about longer lasting black relationships.
Mr Awete, NJ
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there was a time not so long ago...
The healthcare debate, which looked more like extreme fighting in a mud pit than a national dialogue, revealed a very vulgar side of America. President Obama’s face appeared on protest signs white-faced and blood-mouthed in a satanic clown image. In other tasteless portrayals, people who disagreed with his position distorted his face to look like Hitler complete with mustache and swastika.
....when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a Republican or Democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the President of all the people at the helm.
Odd, that burning the flag makes Americans crazy, but depicting the president as a clown and a maniacal fascist is accepted as part of the new rude America.
Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional President has become the glaring exception to that unwri tten, patriotic rule.
Maligning the image of the leader of the free world is one thing, putting the president’s life in peril is quite another. More than once, men with guns were videotaped at the health-care rallies where the president spoke. Again, history shows that letting men with guns get within range of a president has not served America well in the past.
Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the President would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.
And still the “birthers” are out there claiming Barack Obama was not born in the United States, although public documentation proves otherwise. Hawaii is definitely part of the United States, but the Panama Canal Zone where his electoral opponent Senator John McCain was born? Nobody’s sure. Last month, a 44-year-old woman in Buffalo was quite taken by President Obama when she met him in a chicken wing restaurant called Duff’s. Did she say something about a pleasure and an honour to meet the man or utter encouraging words for the difficult job he is doing? No. Quote: “You’re a hottie with a smokin’ little body.”
Subsequently, during his State of the Union address, which is pretty much a pep rally for America, an unknown congressional representative from South Carolina, later identified as Joe Wilson, stopped the show when he called the President of the United States a liar. The president showed great restraint in ignoring this unprecedented insult and carried on with his speech. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so stunned by the slur, she forgot to jump to her feet while clapping wildly, 30 or 40 times after that.
Lady, that was the President of the United States you were addressing, not one of the Jonas Brothers! He’s your president for goodness sakes, not the guy driving the Zamboni at “Monster Trucks On Ice.” Maybe next it’ll be, “Take Your President To A Topless Bar Day.” In President Barack Obama, Americans have a charismatic leader with a good and honest heart. Unlike his predecessor, he’s a very intelligent leader. And unlike that president’s predecessor, he’s a highly moral man.
Last spring, President Obama took his wife Michelle to see a play in New York City and republicans attacked him over the cost of security for the excursion. The president can’t take his wife out to dinner and a show without being scrutinized by the political opposition? As history has proven, a president in a theatre without adequate security is a tragically bad idea.
In President Obama, Americans have the real deal, the whole package and a leader that citizens of almost every country around the world look to with great envy. Given the opportunity, Canadians would trade our leader, hell, most of our leaders for Obama in a heartbeat.
Remember: “Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?” At some point, the treatment of President Obama went from offensive to ugly and then to downright dangerous.
What America has in Obama is a head of state with vitality and insight and youth. Think about it, Barack Obama is a young Nelson Mandela. Mandela was the face of change and charity for all of Africa but he was
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their lives could be enhanced by his example, just naturally has to stop.
too old to make it happen. The great things Obama might do for America and the world could go on for decades after he’s out of office. America, you know not what you have.
Believe me, when Americans drive by the White House and see a sign on the lawn that reads: “No shirt. No shoes. No service,” they’ll realize this new national rudeness has gone way, way too far.
The man is being challenged unfairly, characterized with vulgarity and treated with the kind of deep disrespect to which no previous president was subjected. It’s like the day after electing the first black man to be president, thereby electrifying the world with hope and joy, Americans sobered up and decided the bad old days were better.
Source: October 2010 Senior Living Magazine Vancouver and Lower Mainland.
Please vote for the Best of Jamaica London 2010
President Obama may fail but it will not be a Richard Nixon default fraught with larceny and lies. President Obama, given a fair chance, will surely succeed but his triumph will never come with a Bill Clinton caveat – “if only he’d got control of that zipper.”
http://www.jamaicans.com/bestofjamaica There are prizes including round trip tickets on Air Jamaica from the destinations they fly.
Please. Give the man a fair, fighting chance. This incivility toward the leader who won over Americans and gave hope to billions of people around the world that
DID YOU KNOW...??? ...Natasha Von Castle ...is most widely known as a music distributor of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Hip Hop and R&B to Radio DJ's around the world. Her firm, L3 Publicity is responsible for clients news needs to media around the world. In August 2010, Natasha grew to add Music Presenter to her portfolio! L3 Radio hosted by Canada’s Music Queen, Ms. Natasha Von Castle airs on 88.1 CKLN FM in Toronto every Wednesday night/Thursday morning from 2am to 6am EST. The show features Gospel, Slow Jams, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Hip Hop and Alternative music. On occasion, Natasha will feature music from the Country and Jazz genres. L3 Radio is also simulcast on the fastest growing online radio station in the UK and Europe. www.Reggae4Us.com To send music to Natasha, send it to canadasmusicqueen@gmail.com
DID YOU ALsO KnOW... that when you control a human’s thinking you do not have to worry about their actions? You do not have to tell them not to stand here or go yonder. They will find their “proper place” and will stay in it. You do not have to send them to the back door. They will go there without being told. In fact if there is no back door, they will cut one out for their special benefit. Their education makes it necessary. Carter C Woodson – 1933 Founder of Black History Month. (1875 - 1950) 6
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toronto star, Canada: “Obama too smart, too black for declining America” Published - 10th Sept 2010
By Richard Gwyn Columnist
Barack Obama has to be one of the smartest, eloquent, by the populist Tea Party movement. Go figure that, calm and cool and psychologically well-balanced (think other than that many Tea Partiers undoubtedly can’t of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush or Richard Nixon) stand the fact that he’s black. American pre-sidents of modern times. This is the point. Obama’s problem, which indeed is He’s also one of the toughest, although he neither sizeable, doesn’t reside in himself, although he needs to sounds it nor looks it. Shrewdly, and surprisingly can- learn the art of faking sincerity that Clinton, with his “I didly, an aide has recently described him as “the most feel your pain” pitch. was so good at. Obama’s problem unsentimental man I’ve ever met.” Ruthlessness comes resides in America. It’s become a near-dysfunctional easily to Obama, that’s to say, which is what it took for society. him to beat a presidential nomination rival as tough as Hillary Clinton. The Tea Party, which is a genuine grassroots movement, confirms it. It stands for “freedom.” No more big govAnd yet his popularity is dragging down toward 40 per ernment. No more meddling in people’s lives. But cent and by all the omens his Democrats are about to get instead, Sarah Palin. trounced in the November congressional elections. That a sizeable number of people should want Palin for Obama does have some serious problems. He’s black. president is irrefutable evidence their society has gone dysfunctional. She’s a third-rater, except in demaUnquestionably, a lot of Americans hate their national goguery (and in faking sincerity). Paris Hilton would do leader being black, and, worse yet, a black who is the the job as well, probably better. smartest man around. It’s a variant, incomparably ugli- Why should this be so? My guess is that Tea Party memer, of the widespread loathing of John F. Kennedy for bers and a lot of others, including that Florida evangelimaking people feel bad by being so handsome and cal minister who wanted to burn the Qur’an, even sophisticated, sort of a presidential Clark Gable. though it would have put a lot of American soldiers at risk, have actually got onto something important. Then there’s the economy. The lack of jobs is serious and perhaps even more so is the widespread insecurity That something is that the U.S. today is clearly in among those who do have jobs. A double-dip recession decline. This shouldn’t be exaggerated. Americans have is a real prospect. an astounding capacity for resilience. Once there was humiliation in Vietnam. Once all the experts were saying Yet the truth - admittedly a near-irrelevancy in politics - Japan was about to become No. 1. Both are now history. is that Obama headed off a near-depression caused by Bush and corporate greed and arrogance and stupidity, The U.S. will always be powerful and wealthy. But it will and by his stimulus package brought the economy back never again bestride the world like a colossus towering at least to consciousness. above all others. It will be, rather, a big guy in a crowd. Included in this was financial regulatory reform and America’s conceit of “exceptionalism,” or of being better reform of the auto companies (it’s working unexpected- than anyone else and fundamentally different from all ly well). Also health-care reform. other societies and countries, can no longer be sustained. Now he’s attempting a second stimulus package. It’s been blocked by the Republicans, who are insisting that planned tax cuts be extended to the wealthy (incomes above $250,000) as well as to the middle class.
It’s exhausted its quota, a very large one indeed, of bright, confident mornings. Obama’s problem thus is stark and simple: He’s the right guy at the wrong time.
This blockage of a second stimulus is being cheered on
Richard Gwyn's column appears every other Friday. gwynr@sympatico.ca 8
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BIOGRAPHY deejay himself. Taking for his stage name a variation of his brother's name as a deejay, Kelly began his career playing concerts around Jamaica. Kelly's mother had mixed feelings about another son getting into the music business. As Kelly explained in a Murderdog.com interview, "She losing a son within the music business, she never want another son to pick up that and then lose him somewhere down the line." Following in the tradition of such reggae greats as Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, reggae artist Junior Kelly sings of social justice, political and economic empowerment, and peace on earth. His 2001 album Love So Nice hit the number 11 spot on the Billboard reggae charts, and he has remained a favorite at festivals around the world.
Nevertheless Kelly stuck with it, and he cut his first single, "Over Her Body," in 1985, when he was 16 years old. He broke through to appearances on major Jamaican stages in 1995, including the Reggae Sunsplash and Sting festivals. His music also took him to the United States, where he recorded a pair of songs for the Front Page label called "Good Tidings" and "Hungry Days." Back in Jamaica, he recorded several more singles, this time for M Rush Records. These songs included "Black Woman" and "Love So Nice."
Junior Kelly was born Keith Morgan on September 23, 1970, the youngest of five children, and grew up in the Waltham Park area of Kingston, Jamaica. Kelly was part of a musical family; both his father and grandfather played banjo, and his mother sang at their local church. Although the family was of limited means, Kelly later recalled that the family's deep love for one another kept them going through hard times. On his official website, Kelly explained that despite having frequently to do without, the family stayed happy "because we knew we had each other to lean on."
His work, under-promoted on small labels, failed to propel Kelly into a music career that would enable him to support himself and the family he had started. Forced to work construction jobs to make ends meet, he nevertheless refused to give up on music. "Though I was disillusioned and frustrated," he said in the Murderdog.com interview, "I just say well, I'm going to continue to write, continue to rehearse, but I'm going to try to get some food on the table for them young children right now.".
This changed, however, in 1983, when Kelly was 13 years old. That year Kelly's older brother Sylvester was shot to death in a dispute over money, almost before Kelly's eyes, and the youngster was later called upon to testify at the trial of his brother's killers. Sylvester had been the family's main breadwinner, and was someone Kelly had looked to as a role model. The family fell on even harder times after his death.
"Love So Nice" turned out to be Kelly's recording break, and it came in 2000, after the song charted in Europe and then made its way back to Jamaica and to the number one spot on the Jamaican charts. It stayed on the Jamaican charts for 15 weeks--the longest-running number one hit of 2000. An album called Love So Nice followed. In addition to the title track, it included the tracks
Sylvester had built a local following as rapper/deejay working under the name of Jim Kelly. Within a few years of his brother's death, Kelly resolved topick up where his brother left off, and became a 9
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"Hungry Days" and "Sunshine." The single "Sunshine," while not widely played in Jamaica, received significant air play abroad, particularly in Europe. The album Love So Nice was released four years after it was recorded, delayed while its producers raised money for its promotion. Much of the money came from Kelly's fans in his home neighbourhood of Kingston.. Released at the beginning of 2001, it was greeted with raves in the United States. Billboard called it a mature work from an "outstanding singer/DJ/reggae rapper," and predicted that Kelly would remain a force in the reggae world for a long time to come.
Smile followed Love So Nice in 2003, and was well received by critics as well as fans. The album featured Kelly's songwriting stamp on all of the tracks, and he produced most of them as well, unlike the songs in his previous album, which were produced by others. On Smile, Kelly turned in music that praised marijuana ("Just Another Blend"), songs that celebrated his African heritage ("Black Am I"), and straight-on dance grooves ("Take Me There") and love songs ("Never Let You Down," "Sinking Feeling," and "Baby Can We Meet"). Working with his unique blend of dancehall deejay music and more traditional roots music, Kelly has appeared as something of a mediator between the newer sounds of dancehall-inspired hip hop and the older roots reggae styles. He has sought to bring back traditional reggae for younger audiences who may not have been exposed to the style. It's a responsibility, he has said, for dancehall artists to acknowledge their roots. But most of all, Kelly has tried to play music that people enjoy listening to.
The year 2001 was a notable one for Kelly in other respects as well; he nearly lost his life in an auto accident in Kingston. The accident left Kelly with broken ribs, a punctured lung, and numerous pelvic fractures, and it took him fully three months to make a recovery. He went on the road again as soon as he was well enough, playing concerts in Europe and the United States to further promote Love So Nice.
WORDs OF WIsDOM PAtHFInDeRs Pathfinders, those who lead the way, making clearings for others to follow on a clear unhindered road. Charting the unknown or uncertain. Cutting through the undergrowth can be very time consuming and labour intensive but as a CHOSEN Pathfinder you carry out your duty unaware of any personal hardship. Some may fall through sheer exhaustion before they reach the clearing, some even just before the very end,-only needing one branch to be shifted. Those who've followed behind exerting less energy due to the fact the way has been made clear for them should recognise and celebrate the efforts of our Pathfinders.
Kelly is a devout Rastafarian, a religious philosophy that embraces people of African heritage, celebrates long hair styled into dreadlocks, and incorporates a strong belief in the importance of good moral conduct. Although not raised a Rastafarian, Kelly declared that he has always held Rastafarian beliefs. "I don't consider me 'becoming' a Rasta," he explained in an interview on Reggaematic.com. "It was always there. ... I did have a sense of certain morals, and I guess that incorporates into you being a Rasta. ... Somebody that isn't only growing they hair and saying 'ok, this is an image thing.'"
SPARTACUS I SALUTE YOU Peace and Blessings Richmond Trew-Journeyman
Today let us make sure our house in order before we leave home. 10
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.
Jamaica Dogsled team - Overview Even today, after many successful seasons and amazing accomplishments, many people still look at the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) and think, “you gotta be kidding”. After all who in his right mind would even think of starting a dogsled team in a country with no snow? It’s no wonder members of his own family thought the creator of this wild idea had lost it this time. The JDT was started in 2005 by Danny Melville, owner of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and not xactly your everyday, normal businessman. Melville was in Edmonton, Canada shopping for dune buggies he needed for his Jamaican adventure tour business when he tripped over this “metal frame with wheels” in the corner of a fabrication shop. He was told it was a dog sled with wheels so it could be used in the summer when there was no snow. With that, the story of the JDT began and continues to grow with each passing season. The team now consists of three mushers – Newton Marshal, the team’s long distance musher, Damion Robb and Jermaine Burford, who each compete in Sprint races. During winter months, the mushers have a full schedule of races and this coming season will be the team’s most ambitious to-date. Marshall will compete in the 2011 Iditarod as well as race in the 2011 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race in Wyoming. Robb and Burford will compete in sprint races in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. In addition to racing, this year will also see the release of a new book by John Firth, titled “One Mush” as well as a new documentary, which followed Marshall as he made international headlines in March 2010 as he became the first Jamaican to complete the Iditarod – the World’s Last Great Race. The film is scheduled for release later this year and is titled “Cool Mushing”. The team’s accomplishments and accolades continue to pile up despite all the odds against them. People who initially thought the idea was crazy had to eat their words a long time ago. This little dog-sled team from the Caribbean is proving it belongs and is a serious contender in the sport. During the summer months, the team’s mushers train by providing tours to visitors at Chukka Caribbean Adventures – the team’s home base. Here, visitors looking for something slightly different have the opportunity to experience mushing for themselves as they race in a sled pulled by one of the team’s mushers. The team dogs in Jamaica are strays and abused dogs who ended up in the care of the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA). Through its partnership with the JSPCA, the JDT gives these rescue dogs a second chance and plenty of affection. The JDT has become an incredible success story and much of that is thanks to its sponsors who belie11
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ve in the both the team’s racing abilities, but also their commitment to the ethical and humane treatment of animals and the importance of lifelong learning.
The Good Neighbour
Current JDT sponsors include: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, WestJet Vacations, Alpine Aviation, Northern Lights Optometry, Cottey College, Annamaet Petfoods and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
We all should live as caring, loving and kind neighbours, we all are neighbours regardless the distance apart. Whenever we share with others, God’s rich blessing will bring forth a light upon our darkest path, don’t wait until you have plenty to give. The little that you have to offer can make a big difference. As a good neighbour, you won’t live your life only for yourself, as a good neighbour you will always think of someone else. Always remember that words contain a lot of power and uplifting, a few encouraging words can make a positive turn around on your falling neighbours faith and strength. As our brothers keeper that should be the real quality of all neighbours, as a flock joined together that should be our togetherness. Please to take a good second thought, and you will truly recognize that life is very short. Today if we all would only use peace, love and unity to beautify our hearts, the killing, the abuse and all the unkind things that we do to each other will be of the past. When we unite as neighbours we are so strong. Being a supportive neighbour is my main aim and focus at all times. To all my neighbours who may be presently plagued with a lot of negative things on their minds, you may also on the verge of committing suicide, you may also on the verge of giving up, your life may seem so hopeless. Please remember that hope makes a big difference in all of us lives, once you have hope positive changes will come, but most of all don’t forget that your break through is not far away, but it is so near. The good that you do will always stand out. So as neighbours we all should speak good, do good and live good. And please don’t forget that the good that you do yesterday and today will open many close doors for you tomorrow.
If you would like more information about the JDT, visit their website at jamaicadogsled.com or find them on facebook at facebook.com/JamaicaDogsledteam. Photos by Carole Melville front cover ‘Northern’ and Eppor Eerkes
Double Consciousness by W. E. B. DuBois After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world, a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness,--an American, a Negro; two warring souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,--this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self... _____________________ Excerpted from the chapter "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" in his book The Souls of Black Folk.
Written by: Paul Green paulgreenthepoet@yahoo.com) (Linstead, Jamaica, St. Catherine)
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SOPHIA SQUIRE REGGAE SONGBIRD Karen Sophia Squire, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Composer, Aranger, was born on February 27th. She lives in Spanish Town where she grew up with her five sibling’s mother and father. She attended the Crescent Basic School, Crescent All Age (now Crescent Junior High), Eastern School of Commerce and Undergrad College. She often practiced writing songs, never letting anyone hear them thinking that they were “just awful”, still she couldn’t stop the flow of music in her vain having litened to her mother sing and play the guitar from birth.
knew the power and the impact reggae music had on the world. She went on to other Caribbean islands, and Brazil enjoying the experience as she gained knowledge of the art of music. On returning from her ini-tiation dates, she could often be seen writing lyrics of different genres and singing at High Fence Records owned by Rudolph Morrison. There she had four releases, “When You Rise”, “No Rubba Dub”, “Something Special” and “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”. They received limited reception at radio. After a while she left High Fence studios doing freelance music recording and performing with artist such as Paul Elliot, Jah Mason, Lutan Fyah, Fantan Mojah, Glen Washington, Warrior King, Andy Livingston, Luciano and Richie Spice just to name a few. She performed at the more popular shows doing background vocals, shows such as Sting, East Fest, Sumfest, and Rebel Salute. During this time she was introduced to Shane Brown, of Juke Box productions one of Jamaica’s foremost producers, by a friend Audley”Breddi” Allen who also happens to be her manager. She did a song titled “Bloody Murder” that was well received at radio stations throughout the Caribbean and overseas. Sophia currently has over 30 recordings from which she plans to select her début album. “Everyday It’s The Same (Rat-tata-ta-tat)” recently released, “Nuh Gunz” and “Are We Gonna Make It” are some of the ‘must listen to tracks’.
In 1993, after having her daughter Shantay, she decided to take on music as a profession by getting experienced people in the industry to guide her. Knowing she had much to gain she went to a popular studio in Spanish Town St. Catherine called Miami Vice working along with producers Kenneth Rose and Phillip “Bully” Williams and Owen “Drummy” Dalhouse of Rhythm Kings band along with studio engineer “Angel”. She did her first cover version of a song titled “Like this and Like that” that was never relea-sed. She did other cover versions such as: “Understanding”, “Just Kick It” collaboration with D.J. Ninja Turtle and “Sentimental”. She then decided to try some of her original songs with long time producer and friend Phillip “Bully” Williams. Three songs were recorded as demos and she was encouraged by Bully, who discovered she had great writing potential by listening as she talks about how her lyrics came to her. He told her to continue her singing and writing.
She plans to do music full time as a business and is currently working with Max Romeo another international veteran who advises her from time to time about steps to take. She plans to do writing more professionally; this has become somewhat a part of her musical being. SOPHIA’S encouraging words are “Unity is strength, strength is power” a phrase that she loves to use and can be heard in her soon to be released song “Everyday it’s the same” Her motto is “Live love and let Peace Reign”. Her goal is “Give It Your All”.
Around 2000, a female singer whom she met at a private studio told her of an available position to do back ground performances with Reggae icon Gregory Isaacs whom she worked with and this she did for five years. Her first show was in St: Martin and this was an eye opener, as she never 13
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SELFMADE
But with a little work old habits can and will change for you, but you must be persistent in making those changes and then you will experience the changes that you want in life.
by Carl Foster
The power of positive thinking and personal development
There are two forces present, they are negative and positive energy, both forces are present in all circumstances at all times, to find true happiness and fulfilment you must at all times resonate with the positive energy and then your life will change for the better, this means being aware of opportunity for happiness and success in all situations, as these two forces are present and at work all the time.
Do you see the glass half empty or half full, do you see the opportunity for happiness and prosperity in your life or do you see lack of hope and more of the same? Happiness and wealth seem like a distant dream. As human beings we live our lives day today searching for the fruitful joy of happiness, but so many of us never find it, we search for it with short term solutions which often give us more pain and sorrel, leaving us feeling helpless and powerless, we often feel we have no power over this pain we feel, we live our lives in a circle day to day and week to week and month to month.
The people who achieve happiness in life have a definite goal in mind, they know what they want. They have an idea and make decision to achieve that idea, once a decision is made it’s unlikely that they will change it, they stick by their decisions through to the end, they don’t give up and they don’t let failure or criticism stand in their way, they are persistent to the end, they have a strong will and will persist until the goal is achieved.
We feel this is just the way it is. We feel everyone is going through the same thing, but little do we know that we are so much more than this, that we have the power, the power to change our lives for the better. There is a great power out there that we are connected to, if we only make ourselves aware of its presence we can find a way to have true happiness and obtain the life that we want, if we even know what we want. So many of us go through life not thinking about what we want because we don’t think we can obtain it, little do we know we can have whatever we want if we only put our minds to it, then believe and make a decision to obtain what we truly want out of life. Make a goal and take action in achieving it.
If you have made up your mind that you want to achieve success and happiness in your life, think carefully about what it is you want, write down your goals, what you want to achieve, make a well defined goal. Make a definite goal and make a decision today to take action in achieving it, think about your goal daily, visualise your goal and take action in achieving it. Goals and dreams are the stuff of life, but are worthless without action, start today.
The power of the mind in achieving success
We sometimes go through life looking for someone or some think to blame for our short falls of happiness and success in life, this does nothing for us, other than create bitterness. By blaming others we are really saying we are not in control of our lives. The root to success is to take responsibility on your life, this puts you in a state of power and puts you in the driving seat, and you then have the power to make changes in your life. You must also remember in life you can only receive what you put in.
Remember to take control of your mind and only think of positive thoughts of achieving what you want, be persistent and think about your goal, you must take control of your mind and do not allow your mind to take control of you, in thinking negative thoughts. Don’t think of why you can’t achieve something, spend time thinking of why you can. I know sometimes in your life you will be faced with difficult challenges and tough times, you must face these challenges head on with a positive outlook in mind.
Do you ever think why some people achieve success and happiness and others don’t? Do you also think why some people are unsuccessful? To achieve success you have to know where you are going. The people who don’t achieve success go through life being controlled by outside forces and situations, they are thinking outside in.
So often we let our mind take control of us, we are plagued by negative thoughts, always thinking of what could go wrong, when we should be thinking what could go Wright, you see it works both ways. We need to fill our mind with thoughts of joy and success, however our past experiences are locked deep in to our subconscious mind, this effects our behaviour, our attitude and the experiences reappear in our thoughts and manifest in to our life, producing the same negative results. To control this to our advantage we must see and understand that we are not the mind, but that the mind is a powerful tool that we use. We must take control of our thoughts, in order to feel good, this good feeling has power and then attracts more happiness into our lives; the goal is to maintain that feeling of joy and goodness.
If we really want to make a difference in our lives’ we have to teach our selves to think inside out and that means really thinking about what we want, taking time to think of (creating ideas that will improve the quality of our life) and doing what we have to do, to make it happen. This means not giving in to outside circumstances and influences, we must stay focussed and be persistent in achieving our goals in what we want out of life. I know it is difficult to learn this knew habit after years of believing you can only have what life as given you.
As human beings our thoughts & feelings have power, so
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whatever we are thinking and feeling we will attract. If we are feeling bad or angry then we are on a negative path and will attract more of that unwanted experience, however if we are feeling good, we will attract more experiences of happiness.
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We attract into our lives, the things that relate to our feelings and thoughts. Publication
The actions required to achieve success:
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• Create a goal, decide what it is you want to achieve • Visualise your goal, as if you have already achieved it • Look at the opportunity you have and if there are no obvious opportunities, then make them yourself, think of what you can do for self, to create an opportunity, as this is part of your goal • Take action when required • Be persistent and never give up on your dreams, you will then find out what works for you and unlock the doors of success, it’s your Wright to have a loving for filling life.
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All the success we want is within us; we just have to make a decision to be aware of its presents, we need to use our skills and abilities to their maximum potential and don’t let life pass us by. To achieve more you have to give more, give more of yourself in all areas of your life and achieve the life you want. Make a decision to start today, you have nothing to lose, but you have a life to win.
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Keep smiling and stay happy you can WIN By Carl Foster 2010
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But how can the Negro ever hope to rise when the very men who should have been our props and leaders draw themselves away and try to create an impossible and foolish atmosphere of their own, which is untenable and never recognised.
MARCUs GARVeY JnR sPeAKs tHe tIMe: AUGUst 1914
The appeal I now make is: "Full of God's sake, you men and women who have been keeping yourselves away from the people of your own African race, cease the ignorance; unite your hands and hearts with the people Africa, and let us reach out to the highest idealism that there is in living, thereby demonstrating to others, not of our race, that we are ambitious, virtuous, noble, and proud of the classification of race.
“In America, Europe, Africa, and Australia the Negro is identified by his colour and his hair, so it is useless for any pompous man of colour to think because his skin is a little paler than that of his brother that he is not also a Negro. Once the African blood courses through the veins you are belong to "the company of Negroes," and there is no getting away from it. God places us in the world as men, so whether we are of an identical species or not, as far as accidental details are concerned, does not matter, what matters is, that we are all human, and according to the philosophy of human relationship, all of us have one destiny, hence there should be no estrangement between the people who form the groups of mortals scattered in the different parts of the world. It is true, that by accident and unfavourable circumstances, the Negro lost hold of the glorious civilization that he once dispensed, and in process of time reverted into savagery, and subsequently became a slave, and even and to those whom he once enslaved, yet it does not follow that the Negro must always remain backward. There is no chance for the Negro to-day in securing a comfortable place with the PROGRESSIVES of mankind, as far as racial exclusiveness protects the achievements of the particular race; but there is a great chance for the Negro to do something for himself on the same standard of established customs among the ADVANCED; and the ADVANCED are eagerly waiting to stretch out the hand of compliment to the Negro as soon as he shall have done the THING to merit recognition.
"Sons and daughters of Africa, I say to you arise, take on the toga of race pride, and throw off the brand of ig-nominy which has kept you back for so many centuries. Dash asunder the petty prejudices within your own fold; set at defance the scornful designation of "THE ‘N’ WORD" uttered even by yourselves, and be a Negro in the light of the Pharaohs of Egypt, Simons of Cyrene; Hannibals of Carthage; L'Ouvertures and Dessalines of Haiti; Blydens, Barclays and Johnsons of Liberia; Lewis of Sierra Leone, and Douglas's and DuBois's of America, who have made, and are making historyfor the race, though depreciated and in many cases unwritten. To study the history of the Negro is to go back into a primitive civilization that teems with the brightest and best in art and the sciences.
The Negro is ignored to-day simply because he has kept himself backward; but if he were to try to raise himself to a higher state in the civilized cosmos, all the other races would be glad to meet him on the plane of equality and comradeship. It is indeed unfair to demand equality when one of himself has done nothing to establish the right to equality.
You who do not know anything of your ancestry will do well to read the works of Blyden, one of our historians and chroniclers, who have done so much to retrieve the lost prestige of the race, and to undo the selfishness of alien historians and their history which has said so little and painted us so unfairly. 16
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“there could be no better time for the annual IRAWMA to be hosted in TNT than next year at a time when “Chutney” music will be introduced as a world music category in IRAWMA. Over the years several sons and daughters of TNT were awarded at the annual IRAWMA in various cities. Some were named to the Hall of Fame/Lifetime Awards, among them: Roaring Lion, Lord Kitchener, Black Stalin, Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Super Blue and Mighty Sparrow who was also named “Master of the Caribbean” 2009.”
tRInIDAD AnD tOBAGO WIns! PRestIGIOUs 30tH AnnIVeRsARY OF tHe InteRnAtIOnAL ReGGAe & WORLD MUsIC AWARDs (IRAWMA) 2011 set FOR tWIn COUntRY Chicago/New York/London/Trinidad – NOVEMBER 2010 – After months of waiting in anticipation as to which country will host the prestigiousMilestone 30th Anniversary of International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), it is now official, the twin countryTrinidad and Tobago (TNT) will be the host country of the 2011 special 30th IRAWMA anniversary, in May of next year.
“For more than twenty years since the annual IRAWMA started traveling from city to city, Mike Sears, a TNT radio disc jockey in Chicago, Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow and scores of other people from TNT have been requesting that we take IRAWMA to the twin country. Earlier this year St. Maarten Hotel and Tourism expert Bernard Hunt, TNT Hasley Wong and Wayne Griffins- VIP Ltd, Lady Montano, government officials, along with former basketball player and businessman Carlos Moore, encouraged us to seriously consider Trinidad and Tobago as the host country for the special 30TH IRAWMA. We are very pleased to announce that TNT will be the host country for the 30thIRAWMA.
The decision was officially finalized recently, by the producer of IR AWMA- Martin’s International and Associates (MIA) Board of Managers during aconference meeting connecting members in Chicago, New York, London and other cities. More than twelve other countries were vying for the rights to host the star-studded 30th IRAWMA in May of 2011, but the big winner is Trinidad and Tobago whose favorite son Machel Montano was among the top winners the last three consecutive years at the annual IRAWMA held at the Apollo Theatre and York College Performing Arts Center, in New York. According to Ephraim Martin, President of MIA,
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