Jamaica Prime Minister NO SHOW at Jamaica Diaspora Event

by Jason Walker

               I know when you hear the words “No Show” they are normally associated with entertainers and concerts not Prime Ministers especially when it involves important audiences like the Diaspora. Well that is essentially what occurred on December 3 2011 in the state of Florida when Jamaican Florida Commissioner Dale Holness had arranged for a meeting between the very new Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (Distant cousins) and the Jamaican Diaspora.

Let’s do a little a background Prime Minister (PM) Holness was sworn in as PM on the 23^rd of October 2011 and as such became the youngest PM in Jamaican history. This brought intrigue and excitement in several quarters, and also extreme curiousity. There were questions throughout the Diaspora as to who exactly is Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness as a large percentage of the Diaspora was very unfamiliar with the new PM. To add to the fascination, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding had suddenly resigned amid a series of scandals that rocked the ruling party, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). To add to this earlier this year members of the Diaspora had shown a very public concern about the treatment of the Diaspora by the Jamaican government led by the JLP.

With the aforementioned reasons amongst others many members of the Diaspora jumped at the chance to meet the new PM face to face, they came from all over Florida and as far as the neighbouring states to Florida. The event was to start at 3:30 PM in the very large Christway Baptist Church in Miramar Florida. Hundreds of Jamaicans had already begun filling up the venue, surrounding parking lots were packed. Jamaicans of all stripes, classes and other strata were streaming in. Some identified themselves as PNP (People’s National Party the opposition) supporters, Independents and JLP supporters (wearing green in some part of their dress), the majority though seemed to be made up of independents who just love Jamaica. The general mood was they wanted to find out who their new PM was, to share Diaspora concerns and to hear the PM’s vision for a Jamaica.

3:30 came and went, 4:00 came and went and there was no Prime Minister. The audience was told repeatedly that the PM was on the way. Persons such as G2K vice president Sherman Calnek and the hilarious community member Easton Lee went on the podium to fill the time. Right before 5:00 it was announced that we would be hearing from the PM calling in on his SAT phone calling from his plane as it was taking off from Jamaica, yes I said taking off from Jamaica minutes to 5:00 when the event started at 3:00. The PM apologized for not being there and that he would be on the way. It was announced that he should be there soon. After 6:30 with no PM in sight Diaspora members began leaving in disgust, so disappointed that a promise made by the new Prime Minister was treated with such disrespect. Soon after when most of the Jamaicans from the Diaspora had left the event was cancelled.

Before the cancellation was made known, it was announced that later that night there was a fundraiser for the Jamaica Labour Party election campaign that persons could attend and meet the PM there. Understandably only JLP supporters were interested in such an activity while the invitation and no show left a bitter taste in people’s mouths.

Kudos must be given to Commissioner Dale Holness for arranging this event, for Jamaicans throughout the Diaspora still want to know who the man who is running the country they love is. Former Prime Ministers Michael Manley, Edward Seaga, PJ Patterson, Portia Simpson-Miller and Bruce Golding have a strong and positive record when it comes to making time for and honouring meeting engagements with the Diaspora. From here on in, if Prime Minister Holness wishes to interact with the Jamaican Diaspora, market to them and have them invest in Jamaica as he shared in a later interview, he is going to have to show some priority with the Diaspora when it comes to his scheduling. What happened on Saturday has been taken as a slap in the face by several who attended, even those who identified themselves as JLP supporters looked stunned and definitely disappointed as they left.

Buju Banton needs your help

Supporters of Buju Banton Re-launch Letter Writing Campaign

West Palm Beach, Florida, September 19, 2011 – Supporters of jailed international reggae artiste Mark Anthony Myrie, popularly known as Buju Banton, re-launched the international letter writing campaign started last year. The main focus of the campaign was to get bail for the reggae icon. However, since Buju was unfortunately convicted and recently sentenced, the supporters are now asking the Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the case and correct this grave injustice. The goal is to ensure the government is made aware that the public is concerned about the case and disturbed by Buju’s unjust incarceration.

Organizers of the Letter Writing Campaign want to receive at least 50,000 letters to send to the Attorney General on December 9, 2011 to mark the day Buju was first arrested. They plan on sending letters all at once to increase the impact. They are encouraging friends, fans and supporters worldwide to print out this letter, sign, date and mail it by December 5, 2011 to:

Buju Banton Campaign

2101 Vista Parkway

Suite 4035

West Palm Beach, FL 33412

BELOW IS A COPY OF THE LETTER
Mr. Eric H. Holder
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Holder:
I am writing to ask for your intervention regarding a grave injustice against Grammy winner and reggae music icon Buju Banton (legal name Mark Anthony Myrie). The incarceration of this legendary musician is unconscionable. He is currently serving a federal prison sentence for drug related charges.
He was charged as a result of information provided by a professional informant who relentlessly pursued Buju for six months to participate in a drug deal. The professional informant in Buju’s case is a convicted drug trafficker from Colombia. During the trial it was revealed that the informant has been granted legal immigration status in the U.S. and has earned over $3.3 million U.S. dollars (tax-free) for serving as an informant to various U.S. government agencies. Despite his earnings, Mr. Johnson testified that he does not pay taxes, does not pay his credit card bills and has declared bankruptcy. Furthermore, during the trial the lead investigator on the case, Sergeant Dan McCaffrey of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) stated that there was no evidence that Buju was a drug trafficker and that their 13 month investigation yielded nothing.
Buju produces uplifting, positive music comparable to the music of Bob Marley. His work inspires people worldwide. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award, the highest achievement in his field, four times since 1999 and won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2011 for his album “Before the Dawn”. He is one of the leading voices of his generation, shedding light on such issues as the unrelenting violence and abject poverty pervasive in the Third World. He has also represented his country in performances at the Summer Olympics in Greece in 2004 and at the Cricket World Cup Opening in 2007. Buju commemorated Jamaica’s support for President Obama collaborating with Dave Stewart on “American Prayer,” a tribute to the President. Additionally, Buju is a family man, an employer and a generous philanthropist.
Buju’s situation is similar to that of the case of Senator Stevens of Alaska who was found guilty by a jury in October of 2008. The U.S. Justice Department subsequently filed a Motion to Dismiss the Case on the grounds that the prosecution was unfair and exceeded its bounds. This act by the Justice Department did much to increase the nation’s confidence in the justice system.
Given Buju’s cultural contributions, humanitarian efforts and the unfairness of the trial, he should not be languishing in jail at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. I urge you to investigate this matter and take the action necessary to correct this grave injustice.
Sincerely,
_________________________________
Signature Address
_________________________________
Name City, State

Jamaica Diaspora Conference November 5 South FLorida

With the examples set by Occupy movements, African and Arab springs we have seen what can happen when affairs are left to the hands of the few. The Jamaican Diaspora is no different in this context. If we of the Jamaica Diaspora are not involved in the steering of our course, others will. As we have seen with the direction and receipt of benefits of our national treasures (music, coffee, airline, marketing of our athletes, even the flag etc), we have been largely absent on both sides.

We need to get involved and we need to make our voices heard and change this trend. When it comes to the Diaspora movement I always hear large amounts of misinformation and negative perspectives from Jamaicans, yet all Jamaicans, their descendants, and their families are part of the Diaspora! Let us change this narrative, let us get involved and let us become one of the successful Diasporas on the planet, to paraphrase our pledge let us truly play our “part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race”

Jason Walker

‘If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!’

AUGUST 1 IS EMANCIPATION DAY FOR ALL PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

By Jason Walker

Emancipation day is an important day for the descendants of Africa, especially those whose ancestors were impacted by the Slave trade. In the 1800’s the holocaust of slavery was hit with a crippling blow around the world. The Emancipation Act was passed on July 31, 1834 throughout the British Empire and effectively ended the Slave Trade. Full freedom from slavery did not come until four years later on August 1, 1838.  The 4 year period was instituted as a transition period as this monumental change would irrevocably change societies worldwide. The abolition of Slavery in the British Empire would affect slavery everywhere mainly because Britain’s navy owned the seas and without the cooperation of the British Navy, it made slavery both difficult and expensive. And as destructive, dehumanizing and inhumane the European version of the system of slavery was; it was for all intents and purposes an economic manifestation.

Slavery was a system used to have Africans as free labourers in labour intensive industries such as Cotton, Sugar and Tobacco. Throughout the 1400’s through to the middle of the 1700’s products such as these fetched a very attractive price, along with the free labour, a tidy profit could be made. Although labour was free, the cost to keep Africans enslaved was high. Especially in areas where there were slaves freeing themselves and staging revolts. The most successful of these of course included the Maroons in Jamaica from the 1500’s through to the 1700’s and even more so the Africans (including Maroons) in Haiti who would successfully wage a revolution against French armies, supported by Spain and England.

Do not think though that the Emancipation act came about from any altruistic gestures by the British Monarchy. Due to the work of many abolitionists in Britain; the sentiment against Slavery had grown tremendously among the English population. Also the prices of the aforementioned products began to drop on the world markets as new products that did not need this labour intensive situation were now rising to prominence. Along with that came the advent of the industrial age which was ushering a new era where such labour numbers were not the order of the day. All the aforementioned along with the cost of keeping control and responding to revolts made these endeavours non-attractive. Continuing Slavery no longer made economic sense.

As we come to the present, we find that it is only in the past two decades that countries have decided to mark this date as a holiday, and of the countries that were affected by this act (Countries in Africa, The Caribbean, Central America, South America, & North America) a small percentage actually commemorate this day*. Maybe that is appropriate; I say this because although things are different from the era of slavery, people of African descent in the aforementioned geographical areas are not in a position of true emancipation.

The definition of Emancipation from the British Oxford Dictionary states that it is “the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberation:” With the majority of African persons in these areas lacking resources, political clout, and in some cases freedom, can we really call ourselves emancipated? It was probably this same observation that led former Prime Minister of Jamaica and former leader of the Non-Aligned Movement (a coalition of countries that were not listed as industrial nations) Michael Manley to say; “The enslavement of the body which endured till 1838 was nothing compared to the enslavement of the mind which persisted since”. The affects of slavery and the propaganda to support slavery has endured and left a lasting mark and has conspired to keep those of African descent in such a position.

Yet by our accomplishments singularly and in some rare cases collectively we see we are a very powerful people. So it is possible to change the current existence. However we will probably have to do what Reggae Superstar Bob Marley said in his song Redemption Song: “Emancipate Yourself From Mental Slavery” before we can truly be at a stage of Emancipation. So although we celebrate the Act that saw fruition on August 1 1838 annually, we should probably use these days to see where we are on the road of getting to the next stage of Emancipation and be creative in getting to that new stage.

*Countries that Celebrate Emancipation Day include: Jamaica, Barbados, Bermuda, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Canada, Guyana, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis

Jason SkyWalker Interviewing Buju Banton @ Reggae Sunsplash

As the reports over the past year and a half have shown Dancehall Reggae Superstar Legend Buju Banton was arrested, held in jail for over a year, was then tried and convicted on conspiracy drug charges which could carry 15 years and the crux of the prosecution’s case rested on the testimony of a confidential informant and a recording done on Buju. Buju Banton AKA Mark Anthony Myrie has been such a positive contributor to Caribbean, Reggae, & Jamaican culture that this development will have a tremendous blow on the aforementioned communities not to mention his family, his children. There is a campaign on to ask as many people as possible to write Judge James Moody, who is to sentence Banton Thursday June 23, to ask for leniency and to share with the Judge the positive contributions that he has brought to so many. Below are the addresses of both the Judge and his probation officer who both need to get letter. Also I have an example of a letter that have been sent to the Judge.
Please send in a letter if you can.
Here are the addresses:

The Honourable James S. Moody Jr.
United States District Judge
Tampa Division
801 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33602

Natasha Creamer
U. S. Probation Officer, P.O. Box 390
Tampa, FL 33601.

Dear Colleague;

As you are well aware, Buju Banton faces sentencing on June 23rd for his conviction on the charge conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. We cannot change the conviction, however, our collective voices can influence the Judge to reduce the suggestion of a 15 year sentence.

Below is my open letter to the judge. If it is within you, add your voice and let the Judge know how you feel regarding the amount of time Buju serves. My letter is included below.
When addressing Ms. Creamer, we must specify that we are writing in support of Mark Myrie a/k/a Buju Banton. Based on the feedback, our letters are making a difference. Together, we will effect change for Buju!

Thank you
Natasha Von Castle

Open letters to Judge James Moody

Dear Judge Moody;
Your honour, I am writing you to make an appeal for leniency and a reduction in the time recommended for the case of Mark Anthony Myrie AKA Buju Banton who you will be sentencing on Thursday June 23. Buju Banton started his amazing career when he was but a teenager in the late eighties, he became a transcendent figure in the Reggae / Dancehall world very quickly. By the age of 21 Banton had already broken the record of having number one hits under the age of 21 in Jamaican history. By the early nineties he began to show the form that would mark his career, he began making music that would speak of positive themes, become a voice for the economically and politically oppressed and started to bring back the popularity of message music in the Dancehall especially.
Banton showed such music in the album Voice of Jamaica, but really blew this concept wide open with the album ‘Til’ Shiloh’ which would have the affect of changing the course of music for the more positive and conscious and by consequence encourage those influenced to be more positive and conscious. He has been a leading voice for the several causes such as the fight against AIDS (Banton launched Operation Willy the non-profit charity organization promoting safe sex education and dedicated to raising funds for children who are HIV positive or have lost their parents to the disease.)
Banton has consistently been a positive manifestation that has inspired many to be better and more than they thought they could have been and has represented the millions of Caribbean people and Reggae lovers around the world in only inspiring ways. All the positive Banton has done by all indications have been done for true sincere reasons, for he began writing such words and doing such deed before the lights and cameras of fame were on him. I know I was blessed to be around from the beginning.
Besides being such an icon for such a large community, he is a loving father, and in this period when so many of our children have been growing without fathers which only has negative repercussions for society in the long run, I appeal your honour to help lessen the time that these children should be away from their father. I leave you with a few of the powerful lyrics that Buju Banton AKA Mark Anthony Myrie has given the world.
Jason Walker,
A Fan, Friend, A lover of Reggae, A Lover of the Caribbean, A Jamaican, A Lover of the Positive

“Close One Yesterday”

One more day in the struggle
Have to get up and juggle
You done know, want a little sugar inna de pan
Me nah see fi trouble, no man
Oh oh oh

Said I had close one yesterday
Jah put an angel over me, be strong
Hold a firm meditation
One day things must get better, don’t you go down
Keep your head above the water
Say, one day things must get better, be strong

Said I had close one yesterday
Jah put an angel over me, be strong
Hold a firm meditation
One day things must get better, don’t you go down
Keep your head above the water
Say, one day things must get better, be strong

The rich is wise in his conceit
But the fool with over standing search him out
Poor man mourn, the rich riches increase
Be not grieved, riches are not forever

Envy not the oppressor choses none of his ways
Be not wise in his own eyes, only jah you must praise
Strive not with a man without cause
If he have done no harm, let by gone be by gone

Said I had close one yesterday
Jah put an angel over me, be strong
Hold a firm meditation
One day things must get better, don’t you go down
Keep your head above the water
Say, one day things must get better, be strong

This nine to five is a joke
Compare to the pressure the minister say
The economy is getting better
Misleading the people

The mass still suffer on jah
Scarce benefit and spoils
Jah know that we feel it day

Buju Banton

Dear Judge Moody;

In your many years within the justice system as a lawyer and Judge, I am sure you have come across cases that have either touched you, or touched the community which you represent. A touch could be a personal understanding of one or some of the components in a case, just as a touch can be pride in knowing that the justice system worked (the way it’s supposed to) in making sure the right people receive the right punishment according to their crime(s).

Your honor, I am writing this letter with the belief that I, on behalf of the community I represent, can appeal to you on a ‘touch’ level.

Before your court is the matter of Mr. Mark ‘Buju Banton’ Myrie who is due to be sentenced on June 23rd by you, for the conviction he received on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. I appeal to you to reduce Buju’s sentence from the recommended 15 years.

Buju is not like any man you will ever meet. He is a friend, a father, a husband and one of the pillars in the Caribbean community; not just Jamaica, but every Caribbean community in every city around the world.

As one of our pillars, he has given the community songs which nourish the soul. This nourishment has turned youths away from crime, has strengthened families and healed those who were not well.

How do we know this is true? The testimony of countless of which I am one. He spoke for me when he sang ‘I wanna go ahead without turning back / and now I see myself heading for the trap / I wanna break free but I feel trapped / a voice inside me saying don’t stop ….’ Those words were taken from the song “Optimistic Soul” which encouraged listeners to not give up, no matter how daunting the situation looks. Those were Buju’s words from 2010. If we go back 10 years before that, we have ‘there was good and evil / we chose good ….’

When an announcement is made that Buju will be performing, the show(s) sell out. Tickets are purchased by people who want a live touch of Buju’s nourishing words. Fans leave the concerts fulfilled and refocused on the right path.

We, the community, need Buju, and we need you to understand his importance to us. Because of these needs, I ask you to not sentence Buju to 15 years in prison. I ask that you consider his humanitarian works with the children of his homeland Jamaica and I ask that you consider his impact on the Caribbean community around the world. Once you’ve considered these, I ask that you set a sentence that will not see Buju away from us for a lengthy period of time.

Thank you,

Natasha Von Castle

Chief Executive Officer and President

L3 Group of Companies

Toronto, ON Canada

Kerrie and Jason Showing the Free Buju Shirt

Bob Marley courtesy of World Music Central

Below is a video of part of that One Love Peace Concert.

Caribbean athletes doing their best at 2011 Carifta Games

In every industry, sport, field or area of endeavour persons dream of being among the best, and a lot of times people automatically believe that they cannot achieve such goals, so they end up not trying. Well I just witnessed some feats of human athleticism that would suggest that all is possible. Over the long Easter weekend I was blessed to witness segments of the 2011 staging of the 40th annual Carifta Games where high school teenagers from across the Caribbean competed against each other while representing their respective countries in Track & Field. Athletes ranging from the ages of 13 thru 17 put their best efforts forward with amazing results.
Youth from countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Guadeloupe and several other Caribbean nations ran, jumped, hurdled, threw and did all types of athletic activities right into the history books. Records were falling left, right and centre. The records that fell were mainly records originally made by athletes who were at the same age group as these current participants. Although the Jamaican athletes dominated the games, the competition was only milliseconds or centimetres off of the marks set by the winners.
All of this is amazing, however what really hit me was that the records were so close to the World Records. Not only have these youth attained the best on in their own field of endeavour they are close to the best on the next level. The only thing all these youth have in common is the region they come from (the Caribbean), the age group they are in and the hard work they put in. They came from different walks of life, different countries and different cultures, yet they rose to the top.
In witnessing this we should feel empowered in being able to achieve whatever those who are seen as the top of our respective fields of endeavour. Clearly from the example set by these young athletes, preparation, knowledge of your craft, hard work, practice, dedication and a belief in self are all factors that help to bring about success. I think no matter what stage of life we are in we can look at these athletes and be reminded that we can achieve our goals, that we can attain our dreams.
Jason Walker

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