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

As the year comes to a close many of us will ask where did the time go? Twelve months, three hundred and sixty five days have flown by so quickly. What did you accomplish throughout the year? Did you make an impact in your neck of the woods? Could you have done more? The year was indeed challenging, however, despite the challenges 2014 also provided opportunities. We saw the best and worse of humanity. There were wars, outbreak of diseases such as Ebola and Chikungunya Virus. In spite of that there were opportunities for professional and spiritual growth. The Lord has kept me and I am sure He has protected you and your family as well. As we pause and look back at the year that was let me wish for you all the very best for 2015. I wish for you a New Year filled with a sense of purpose and clarity of vision. May the year be a safe and blessed one. Take time to recommit yourself to God. Take time out for your family. Remember none of us is an island and we all need the help and support o

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

There is a positive and negative aspect to most things in life.  There are few exceptions to this rule. In recent times we have witnessed the negative side of popular social media sites. Disturbingly, social media have been featured in the alleged murder of a St. Catherine based young woman. According to police reports the young woman decided to meet face to face with the teenager with whom she had been corresponding. They met at his home and, in the end her body was found in a shallow grave nearby to his house. It has been reported that the teenager has since confessed to being a part of a satanic church. Additionally, the gunman who shot and killed two New York City police officers in Brooklyn, New York last Saturday also used on social media in posting some disturbing information about his intentions. It cannot be said often enough, be careful who you meet on social media. Very often the persona behind the monitor is not the same individual you will interface with. Schools are now

May the Christ of Christmas be with you and your family. May the Spirit of Christmas bring you good tidings and much joy. May the bonds of familial and friendship be rekindled this festive season. May you love your neighbour as much as you love yourself. This Christmas make a commitment to make a difference in the life of someone. Have a safe, happy and merry Christmas. © December 2014 Wayne Campbell

Romans 8: 35-39 35   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  shall  tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36   As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39   Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O God. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continaually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, O Lord make no tarrying.    

The structural trappings of racism needs to be dismantled. God created us all equal, however, mankind has intervened and put in barriers to differentiate shades of skin colour. Always speak out for your rights. Black lives matter. © 2014 Wayne Campbell

The collective consciousness of a people needs to be stirred into action. Black lives matter.

It cannot be said often enough, be careful who you meet on social media. Very often the persona behind the monitor is not the same individual you will interface with.  © 2014 Wayne Campbell

The dispensation of justice for all social classes will only be achieved when language as a barrier to communication no longer exits.- Wayne Campbell

Jamaica is truly a beautiful and comical place to live, work and raise families.   The ongoing Tivoli Commission of Enquiry bares testimony to this fact. Among the suggestions emerging from last week’s proceeding is the suggestion from a university lecturer that language interpreters maybe necessary at the ongoing Tivoli Commission of Enquiry to ensure that the lawyers clearly understand the witnesses as well as for clarity for the witnesses from counsel. As Jamaicans we all are familiar with and indeed speak two languages. Jamaica English or Patois and Standard English are the official languages of Jamaica. The suggestion that interpreters maybe need in order to decipher or decode what the witnesses at the Enquiry are saying belittles our rich culture as well as highlights the fact that we are not really one despite what the Jamaican Motto says. Social class prejudice and discrimination are very much alive and well in 2014. As far as I am aware all the lawyers at the Enquiry are Jama

I see the hope of the next generation Young, gifted and full of promise I see their potential. I hear their confidence daily. They will succeed, with determination,hard work and an unwavering commitment to country and family. I see the future in those bright eyes, eyes as bright as neon lights on a bill board The future is so very bright. © 2014 Wayne Campbell

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

Political betrayal- how else could one describe the recent actions of our parliamentarians after they voted to amend the Representation of the Peoples Act? With the passage of this Bill the state will be asked through the already tax burdened and stressed Jamaican tax payers to fund political parties.   The thought of their actions has almost rendered me speechless. It is abundantly clear that our parliamentarians are out of touch with the economic reality of the times with the move to amend the Representation of the Peoples Act. It is quite possible that this will be viewed among the most self- serving, unconscionable and unacceptable acts of Parliament since the country’s political independence in 1962. In a tough economic era such as like with the pending closure of Best Care Lodge children’s home due to a shortfall in budget this action is most improper. In a time of wage freeze why is it that the Jamaican tax payers are being asked to finance our political parties? What is to b

Our eyes met at first Tall, dark skinned, elegantly but teasingly attired I looked away at first, then our souls made that connection, butterfly- like feelings engulfed my being and stirred my manhood. I looked away She stared at me seductively I stared back She was heading in my direction Sweaty palms along with a butterfly filled stomach what must I do? Hello there, what is your name? I hesitated and stuttered for a moment, maybe more. I whispered in her ears. She held my hands and smiled and pulled me in her direction. © December 2014 Wayne Campbell

Emerging from the darkness I see Listening in silence I hear Scouring my taste buds I taste Being human I feel Your perfume tingles my nostrils I smell. © 2014 Wayne Campbell

Globally more than one trillion plastic bags are used annually by the more than 7 billion people on the planet. We use plastic bags daily even without making the connection between our quality of life and the negative impact discarded plastic bags has on our environment. According to some reports more than seventy per cent of all plastic bags used are non biodegradable and forms the basis for severe damage to the environment which inevitable affects the quality of life on the planet. Abandoned plastic bags pollute the soil and water, increase greenhouse gas emission and undoubtedly kill thousands of marine animals.   Plastic bags also remain toxic for hundreds of years even after they break down. Plastic is harmful because of the chemicals found in it. One such harmful chemical is phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals used in many plastics to make them soft or flexible. Exposure to this chemical is a cause for concern since in some quarters it is linked to declining human sperm producti

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons. ~Author Unknown What was your fondest childhood memory?   Was it hearing the school bell to indicate lunch time? Was your fondest childhood memory spending time in the country and bathing in the river? Perhaps it was going on educational field trips? As schools struggle with budgetary constraints and stretch their human resources to improve test scores in numeracy and literacy it is becoming more difficult to justify taking students out on educational field trips. However, this out of the classroom experience is very vital in the teaching and learning process. Students who are exposed to experiences outside of the classroom often have a more balanced and enriched teaching and learning journey.   Still, too many of our educators are conservative and believe that real teaching and learning can only take place in the confines of a classroom. There is a tendency for some educators to take students on a “reward” field trip to place

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.        

Today, December 1, World Aids Day, is one of the most recognizable international health days. On this day the world pauses to bring awareness to the struggles of those impacted and living with HIV/AIDS. The theme for the 2014 World is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO) some 35 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, of this number 3. 2 million are children. Since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in 1981 some 39 million individuals have died.   It is estimated that some 240,000 people in the Caribbean are living with HIV/AIDS. Jamaica has an estimated 32, 000 people living with H IV/AIDS. The Caribbean is second to Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of HIV prevalence. The WHO estimates that over seventy percent of those infected live in the Sub-Saharan region. It is estimated that The Bahamas has the highest HIV prevalence in the Caribbean at 3.1 percent of its adult population, Trinidad

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord , and He will reward them for what they have done.

Your agonizing face tells your story, Our story, A nation’s story. Its a familiar script, with changing characters and setting. I feel your pain. Your inaudible groans speaks to us, piercing the silence of the night You will never be whole again Your baby boy is gone Gone but forgotten The healing properties of time will soothe your pain Together we stand in your moment of grief. A travesty of justice. © November 2014 Wayne Campbell

He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

Ephesians 3:20-21 20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

All LIME customers would have by now seen an accompanying letter with their November bill from the CEO of LIME Caribbean informing them of an additional monthly fee of $262 inclusive of taxes as of January 1, 2015. According to LIME customers who do not sign up for ebilling will have to pay this additional cost to have their bill printed and sent to them by traditional mail. This decision by LIME is unfair since the company has given their customers less than 2 months notice of their intended action to impose this added charge on monthly bills. There are many customers who do not have access to a computer. What about the older LIME customers who might not be as computer savvy as others? Will there be any provisions made at the LIME branches to assist customers in signing up? The November dated letter by the CEO did not mention anything to this effect. According to LIME their decision to go ebilling is more convenient and cost-effective, however, I humbly ask is this decision more con

Have you ever questioned the purpose of your being? If you have, what are the answers that have come your way? Are you living solely for yourself? Do you find time to reach out and help that someone who is in need? Do you find the time to enquire about the welfare of someone else? We can be selfish at times. However, make a difference in the life of someone this week. Never be too busy or too taken up with your issues to reach out to someone. Life is too short.

The Jamaican state is urgently in need of reform in terms of governance. There is much that is wrong in the society regarding how we appoint individuals to serve on boards of state entities. The cavalier and political divisive manner in which appointments to state board is done has manifested itself in the ongoing debacle now facing the remaining board members of the National Housing Trust who have refused to resign.   Despite being a ppointed by the Prime Minister; it is clear that they have failed to understand that they are servants of the people of Jamaica. Such arrogance and rudeness is most unbecoming and does not inspire much hope for the future of Jamaica. Then again this is nothing new since the interest of the country is always a distant second to the interest of the two main political parties, yet we speak of national development. The time has come for us to remove from having our politicians appoint members to state boards. Successive governments over the years have done

It is time for men to take center stage. International Men’s Day (IMD) is an annual global event celebrated on November 19. The day was conceptualized by Jerome Teelucksingh in 1999. There are six pillars of International Men’s Day (IMD). These are: working together to promote positive role models, to celebrate men’s positive contributions, to focus on men’s health and well being, to highlight discrimination against males, to improve gender relations and gender equality and finally to work together to create a safer and better world. For far too long this very significant day has not found the buzz it deserves in the Jamaican landscape. However, this year the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), Mona Unit, commemorated International Men’s Day under the theme: ‘Boys at risk in the Education System’ by having a  silent march around the Ring Road of the University of the West Indies as well as hosting an interactive public education session. T his is most timely given th

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.-Bishop Desmond Tutu Bigotry is at the root of all cases of bullying. Bullying in all its forms and manifestations is wrong and has no place in a modern day society.   Research has shown a co- relation between bullying and suicide. Bully-related suicide can be connected to any type of bullying, including physical bullying, emotional bullying, cyber bullying, and sexting, or circulating suggestive or nude photos and/or messages about a person. Sexual bullying involves comments, jokes, actions, or attention that is intended to hurt, offend, or intimidate another person.   It is more common than we think, and it affects pupils in both single sex high schools and co-educational high schools alike. As with any form of bullying, the perpetrator seeks out that individual who is considered the weakest among the pack. Sexually bullying is no different. This form of harassment is usually seen more often

The recent news by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) that customers will see a reduction of approximately 8.4% in their November light bill is welcome news for the Jamaican consumer. This pending reduction in electricity bill is made possible due to the fall of world oil prices. The collapse of world oil prices is a result of an oversupply of the community due largely in part that supply from the United States of America unconventional fields is rising faster than global demand. Additionally, increase in output mainly from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait both members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have contributed to a glut on the market. According to some reports, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have indicated an unwillingness to reduce output. It is therefore, possible to see even further reduction of world oil prices.   While the news from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is most timely, coming just in time for Christmas,we must ask ourselves wh

As more and more Jamaicans continue to be infected and impacted by the chikungunya virus the news emerging from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not very encouraging. According to the Center for Disease Control the chikungunya outbreak in the Caribbean will continue to spread with no sign of slowing down. With all fourteen parishes now reporting cases of this painful and debilitating mosquito borne disease Jamaicans from all section of the society have been turning to non traditional forms of medical care. As the medical fraternity struggles to arrive at a vaccine or cure for the chikungunya virus infection many Jamaicans have sought relief from those who proclaim themselves as herbalists. The relapse of chikungunya virus is as severe or in some instances more severe than being first infected.   The sad reality is that many Jamaicans risk drug poisoning since a lot of these natural herbs have properties which may pose serious problems to those pa

The 2014 Global Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum has been published and Jamaica has dropped 5 places with a global ranking of 52 out of 142 countries. In 2013 Jamaica was ranked at 47. This is very much disturbing and speaks to the lack of attention the society pays to gender based issues. The Global Gender Gap Index Report examines countries around the globe regarding gender equality. Gender equality is the measurable equal representation of women and men. Gender equality does not mean that both sexes are the same; however, gender equality   speaks to having equal value, opportunities and treatment for both men and women. The Global Gender Index Report measures the relative gaps between men and women across four key indicators: health, education, economy and politics. The United Nations and rightly so regards gender equality as a human right. A number of Caribbean islands have fared much better than Jamaica in the latest Global Gender Report regarding the gender eq