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

I knew nothing about this movie until my sister; Susan told me 21 Bridges has the potential to be a good movie. She told me that she has plans to watch it; we were pleasantly surprised that the movie opened in Jamaica before it did in New York. It is safe to say that 21 Bridges is another cop movie. However, it’s more than that. It is a fast paced American action thriller set primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Having visited New York I could readily identify with a few landmarks such as Grand Central Station, 42 nd Street and the subway system. If you have ever visited New York you too will make some connections to some of landmarks in the Big Apple. The movie 21 Bridges explores various themes. The most readily are those of law and order, politics, corruption, greed, ethics, homicide, deception all pinned in a highly charged emotional environment of the New York Police Department (NYPD).   Boseman’s character, Andre Davis is the son of police who was murdered in the line of duty.

"There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace."- Kofi Annan The practice of school administrators in Jamaica to lock students out of school for being late or for wearing the incorrect uniform is nothing new.   What is perhaps new is the fact that social media is alive and well and everything now goes viral once it goes on the internet. By now most of us would have seen the video clip of a group of high school students who were locked out of school at a well known co-educational institution in East Kingston. In addition to being locked out of school for arriving late the students were caught in an afternoon torrential rain forcing them to shelter under umbrellas. This video went viral and prompted the Education Ministry to issue directives to school administr

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”- Edmund Burke Let’s talk about the issues facing men. There are some in the society who continue to question why we celebrate International Men’s Day, given the patriarchal society and indeed world in which we live. There are those who would quickly add isn’t every day International Men’s Day. Obviously, this is not so, hence International Men’s Day is set aside to highlight the achievements of men in all sphere of their lives, as well as to identify the link with men’s issues and that of   sustainable development of our societies. We should not disregard the concerns impacting and affecting men. We ought to take every given opportunity to improve the relationship between both sexes, instead of perpetuating a climate of gender inequality.   Commemorated annually on November 19th, International Men’s Day facilitates a space in which issues surrounding men and boys can be interrogated and discussed.   Dr J

The issue of night noise is a public health emergency!   How can we speak about Jamaica as the choice to live, work, raise families and do business when there is a cavalier attitude regarding night noise?    Is it too much to expect that you can have undisturbed sleep in your own home? The interruption of one’s sleep with disturbingly lewd and vulgar music has become commonplace.   The lyrics penetrate the concrete walls finding its way into your house at wee hours in the morning. Who cares about the law-abiding citizens? So what if you have to be at work the next day. Those who contravene the zoning laws do get their sleep during the day. Is this fair?    Sleeping is a basic human need, like eating, drinking, and breathing. Like other basic needs, sleeping is a vital part of the foundation for good health and well-being throughout your lifetime. All aspects of one’s health are negatively impacted by sleep deprivation.   One’s cognitive performance is affected by inadequate sleep.   Ad

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everyone, only because, and only when they are created by everybody.”- Jane Jacobs Urban planning is personal for many citizens regarding of where they live.   In most progressive societies the role of the urban planner is highly respected. In other societies urban planning is both politicized and weaponized.   In some jurisdictions unplanned settlements are facilitated with the blessing of the State in order to secure votes. The concept of urban planning has been used by governments to keep the citizenry in control and dependent on the State.   We are very much aware that affordable housing has become an elusive dream for many. As a result many residents resort to squatting on government owned lands. It is important that we pause to acknowledge World Urban Planning Day which is celebrated on November 8. Unfortunately, this day is only commemorated in about 30 countries worldwide. Undoubtedly, this speaks to the scant regard that

The word tsunami was never part of my vocabulary growing up. I suspect the same is true for you if you are of a certain age.   In December of 2004 all this changed.   On that day a tsunami started in the Indian Ocean from a massive earthquake killing an estimated 227,000 people in 14 countries, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand hardest-hit.    This event was a wakeup call for most of us locally but also as a region. The international community was jolted into action.  Out of this tragedy brought about a sense of awareness of tsunamis.     According to the United Nations by the year 2030, an estimated 50 per cent of the world's population will live in coastal areas exposed to flooding, storms and tsunamis.  Jamaica sits in an active earthquake zone and on  June 7, 1692 an earthquake at Port Royal, Jamaica caused a landslide within the harbour generating a Tsunami which destroyed 90% of the buildings in the City of Port Royal. Portions of the city slipped into the sea.

“Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the criminal.”- Elizabeth Fry According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) since the start of 2019 Jamaica has recorded 1,071 murders, one less than the number this time in 2018. We have all been impacted by crime and violence. Perhaps, we have lost a sibling, a child, a parent, a cousin, niece or nephew. Maybe, it’s a neighbour or a co-worker, a classmate or batch mate.   However, we are at the point in the nation’s history where grieve and profound sadness have come close to home due to the untimely death of a loved one. The Jamaica Constabulary Force data gives us no comfort. What is most disturbing is the news from the Jamaica Constabulary Force that only 239 or 22 per cent of the murders for this year have been cleared up. A case is considered cleared- up when a suspect is arrested and charged. What is clear from the data is that criminals are getting away scot-free with murder. Once you study the