The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

The word 'poetry' is from the Greek term poiesis, which means 'making'. Regardless of our race, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, there are multiple points of connectivity in our lives. The fact is we are more alike than we are different. Poetry provides a platform, a bridge of social inclusivity and connection for humanity. Poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values, transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace. Poetry’s impact is often discounted regarding bringing people together. However, poetry is a rather powerful means of linguistic expression that has the ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds. World Poetry Day is observed annually on March 21. The day is set aside to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry. Additionally, World Poetry Day fosters the convergence between poetry and other art forms, such as theatre, dance, music...

Oral diseases are among the most common Noncommunicable diseases (NCD'S) worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. While the global burden of oral health conditions is growing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the overall burden of oral health conditions on services is likely to keep increasing because of population growth and ageing. Oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral health varies over the life course from early life to old age, is integral to general health and supports individuals in participating in society and achieving their potential. Oral diseases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. People of low socioeconomic stat...

It was a day filled with mixed emotions. I still recall the drive to the University Hospital of the West Indies to meet with the nephrologist regarding my dad’s appointment. My dad, Fitzroy has Stage 4 kidney disease. The year was 2018 and the month was August. Prior to this devastating news, I was aware of renal failure. My aunt Madge, my mother’s younger sister died from renal failure in 1982. Her funeral service, which was held at the Jamaica Evangelistic Centre where she was a member, is etched in my memory. My aunt who died in her 30’s was among the first Jamaicans to have had a kidney transplant performed locally. The day in question, my younger brother and I accompanied our dad to his appointment. Dad was referred to the nephrologist by the family doctor. My dad’s diagnosis was met with anxiety, uncertainty, hope and relief. Why relief, one might ask? There was relief because during those moments of uncertainty the doctor told us that dad would not require dialysis. Dialysis tak...

Much has been said regarding the assessment of students. However, educators should never feel pressured not to voice their opinions and views on this important aspect of teaching and learning. Assessment is a two-edged instrument. Students need to know where they are concerning knowledge acquisition and teachers also need to know what the students have grasped. The framework concerning assessment of students must always lend itself to new and diverse methods to cater to multiple intelligences. Unfortunately, too often teachers are pressured to ascribe to a standardized method of student evaluation. Multiple intelligences is a theory by Howard Gardner proposing that human intelligence is not a single ability but a collection of distinct, relatively independent "intelligences" such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and sometimes existential. Gardner’s assertion is grounded in the premise that...

The Digital Age, also called the Information Age, refers to the period starting in the late 20th century when digital technology, such as computers, the internet and later smart phones became central to human life. The Digital Age transformed how humans access information, communicate and work shifting economies from industrial production to knowledge and data-driven systems. In 1969, the foundation of the modern Internet was created. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network ARPANET was created. The development of the transistor allowed computer chips to drastically shrink in size, which allowed computer engineers to make more powerful machines in smaller packages. This paved the way for machines that consumers could easily keep in their homes. At the time, most computers were difficult to use and were marketed toward hobbyists and computer engineers. The first successful personal computer, the Apple 1, was designed for the average consumers. Soon Microsoft, one of Apple’s stron...

“Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy, But lawd, yuh let me dung Me shame a yuh so till all a Me proudness drop a grung.”- No Lickle Twang by Louise Bennett Coverley. The English Language was not the Mother Language on the African continent. The enslaved Africans were stripped of their dignity, including their language during the period of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The English Language was imposed upon them. As a result, for many in the African Diaspora, English Language is the language of oppression. The African Diaspora refers to the widespread dispersal of African peoples across the globe, particularly to the Americas and Europe, primarily as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The struggle is real and constant regarding language, especially our Mother Languages. With anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world's languages. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language. It i...

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For most of us justice is a fleeting and elusive ideal. Justice often feels like a catchphrase grounded in academia, far removed from the lives of most citizens. What is more common and relatable is injustice. The cries of “We Want Justice” are far more common in a world characterized by chaos and injustice. The lack of justice is traumatic and oftentimes is generational. Injustice is frequently rooted in racial and religious discrimination, as well as misogynistic views. Structural inequalities persist, affecting access to decent work, social protection, healthcare, education and a life free from discrimination. This duality in systems is global. Such duality fosters corruption and privilege, allowing only a small percentage of citizens to benefit from government resources. Respect is not afforded equally. Constitutional authority, inherited power, wealth, and privilege often combine to undermine ju...