February is Black History Month in the USA

February is Black History Month in the USA

IN THE BLACKNESS

In the Blackness

As we reclined together

I heard your whisper

Take the breath from my lips

And let us breathe as one

If only for a night

Let time Stand still

Let it wait to be summoned

By the future

But for us, now

Only the present matter

In the Blackness

You’ll find my light

It shines

Just for you

By Anthony Jules

PORTLAND: THE OTHER JAMAICA

 

By Ken Roueche

www.PortlandtheotherJamaica.com

 

PORTLAND: THE OTHER JAMAICA offers a glimpse into the history of this most beautiful parish, stretching from Buff Bay to Hector's River and up the many river valleys to the Blue Mountains. Portland has been home to some remarkable people, including more than a few dreamers, schemers and crusaders. Shaped by the heavy hand of Mother Nature Portland is blessed with outstanding beauty and challenged by remarkable geography, which provided a perfect homeland for the Windward Maroons as they fled the terror of colonial oppression under the spiritual leadership Nanny. The 1739 Maroon Treaty was followed by the invasion of British planters with their toxic mix of slavery, violence and sugar.

The end of slavery opened up abandoned plantations and mountain villages to modest opportunities for liberated slaves. Within a generation their sons and daughters were enterprising banana farmers responding to the call from Captain Baker to grow banana for the world. Portland soon became the "Banana Capital of the World". This was followed by the arrival of the railway which spurred even more banana production and helped launch the tourist industry and the building of the Titchfield Hotel.

Many of the world's major events have shaped Portland's history, including Port Antonio's strategic location during the Spanish American War and the loss of so many young men during the Great War. The Parish has also been blessed with great leaders including Captain Quao, Ken Jones, Sir Harold Allan and many others. In recent years Portland has also attracted the attention of Hollywood stars, starting with Errol Flynn and followed by Queens, Princes, Princesses, Barons, Captains of Industry and more movie stars. And today the dreamers and schemers are still coming to Portland.

TOP TOURIST SPOTS IN JAMAICA

Written by Alice Jerusha


Since time immemorial Jamaica has been the best travel destination for many tourists all around the world. This country is blessed with numerous great physical features as well as great entertainment and culture ever witnessed anywhere before. Apart from that, the natives here are also very kind and polite to all visitors from every corners of the earth.

Apart from her great physical features, the country of Jamaica is also blessed with just the perfect climate that is favourable for every human being. The daily weather conditions are also awesome as this country lies within the tropical region. It is true to say that the perfect climate has made Jamaica to be among the best tourist destination places worldwide.

Therefore the following are just but a few top places you should never fail to visit as a tourist in Jamaica;

Dunn's River Falls

If you visit Dunn's River Falls, you will be amazed to see the spectacular 600ft water fall which is very popular.

This magnificent water fall is characterized by cold and clear white froth that splashes over a series of stone steps while trickling towards the sea at the same time. Therefore if you want to greatly enjoy your visit to the Dunn's Water Falls, ensure that you hire a tour guide.

Montego Bay

Another great tourist attraction spot that you can visit if you are a tourist in Jamaica is the popular Montego Bay. Montego Bay is characterized by nice beaches that offer great opportunities for each and every tourist to enjoy all types of water sports. This place is among the best spots in Jamaica where tourists who love seeing attractive beaches as well as swimming can have the best times of their lives. Apart from other spots here, there is the spectacular Doctor's Cave Beach where any tourist can enjoy having a nice warm bath.

Ocho Rios

If you love reggae music then Ocho Rios may be the best place for you to visit especially if you have been a great fan of legend reggae artists like Bob Marley and etc. Ocho Rios hosts the popular Bob Marley mausoleum for the sake of the late Bob Marley's fans where one may even luckily bump into the late Bob Marley's family members. Apart from that, there is also the great Chukka Cove's Zion Bus tour for tourists who love road trips.

Negril Beach

It is true to say that Negril Beach is among the finest lengthy white sand beaches and top spots in Jamaica. This place is characterized by beautiful open air cafes as well as beach bars for tourists who love drinking wine and dinning. Any tourist who loves the above activities as well as enjoying the evening sun set can have the best time of his/her life at Negril Beach.

Kingston

Since Kingston City is the capital of Jamaica as well as the cultural hub of the entire Caribbean region, any tourist who visits this city is guaranteed to have the best for his/her money and time. If you want to experience great entertainment and culture, Kingston is among the best places for you to visit. Any tourist here can visit the 120 year old Devon House Heritage Site that hosts numerous events each and every single day.

If you are planning for any tour it’s better to have a self-drive with a car. It is always important to make an inquiry about using your personal car in a different country before you travel with it. This is the reason why the DVLA helpline is public in case of such issues. Through their help you will be able to know if that self-drive trip is worth it or if you have to change your destination.

Author Bio:

Alice, a travel blogger and a writer from London who loves to travel and share my experiences with people around the world. Travelling is my ultimate passion. As of now she is focusing on DVLA helpline which provides information regarding driver and vehicle licences...

Motivation Creates Greatness

Motivation is central to creativity, productivity and happiness. Motivation is what causes us to act, and when we act, we create movement, growth and change, we feel involved, masterful and significant, we feel powerful through experiencing how we can change the world, and we create more of what we love in our lives. And all of this gives our lives purpose and happiness, so why do so many of us not feel this zealousness and passion for life? Most of us have just one distinction for demotivation, which means that you’re likely to assume that you’re struggling with the same problem whenever you’re motivated, when in fact demotivation is a category of problems that has many different distinctions within it.


When you have just one distinction for demotivation, you’ll apply the same old strategies whenever you feel demotivated, which for many people looks like this: set goals, push harder, create accountability checks that will push you, and run your life using ‘Getting Things Done’ (GTD) methods and to-do lists. These strategies are ineffective with most types of de-motivation, and in some instances they can even make you more demotivated. At its essence, demotivation is about you not being fully committed to act, and there are many reasons why you might be in that position. Having more distinctions for your demotivation will help you to identify the real reasons for your unwillingness to commit to action, so that you can pick the right tools and strategies to get motivated again. www.tolerance.org

October is Black History Month in England

                                                       What makes a Black Man Cry?

                                                              Written by Myrna Loy

Seeing how easy it is for his son to die. When trying desperately to preserve what’s left of his life; His relationships breakdown and so does his wife. Constantly robbed of his self-esteem...

Lack of an achievable vision destroys his dream.

What makes a Black man cry?

Getting caught up in a situation he found hard to resist. Regretting his choices and the opportunities he’s missed. Displaying a front that says

I’m the big ‘I am’ So that his ‘brothers’ will think that he is ‘The Man’...

But he’s been found out, and is feeling ostracized, because as a result of his stupidity, someone has died. He tried to contain the evidence of his woe because he didn’t want his loved ones to know - It’s hard playing tough and living lie, And that’s what makes a black man cry.

Why Do Black Men Cry..?

He is crying for the men who feel they have to pretend; He is allowing his tears to symbolize their anguish and pain: The disappointment and disempowerment is seen on their face, while mothers and fathers hold their heads down in disgrace. When you taste the salt tears on your lips Remember the new moon always precedes an eclipse; Trauma and regret will say its goodbye...

So my vulnerable Black man - It’s ok to cry!

Myrna Loy © 2013

Challenging Mental Health Prejudices Together

Written by Hayley Richardson






Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet despite this stigma and discrimination is still debilitating the lives of many people and preventing them speaking out and seeking the support they need. Time to Change is England’s biggest programme to tackle this stigma and discrimination, and is run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and funded by the Department of Health and Comic Relief. The programme aims to change attitudes so that everyone can speak openly about their experiences and lead discrimination free lives.



People in all communities report stigma and discrimination and Time to Change works to create safe spaces to enable people with and without mental health problems to get together and start new conversations about the issue. Evidence suggests that this kind of ‘social contact’ is one of the most effective ways of breaking down stigma and improving attitudes.



Recently Time to Change worked with the east London mental health group Mellow, on a fun and engaging festival, ‘Stereo-Hype’, which aimed specifically to get people from the African and Caribbean community talking about mental health. This year’s festival attracted over 500 visitors.

The two day festival of music, film, drama, comedy and wellbeing workshops celebrated the strengths and achievements of African and Caribbean people living with mental health problems. As part of the event volunteers who have experience of a mental illness engaged visitors in conversations about mental health by sharing their stories, they also informed people about Time to Change, and talked about why the festival was focusing on African and Caribbean communities.

Among the many people who turned up to enjoy the festival were Chelsea's first black footballer Paul Canoville and acclaimed boxer Herol ‘Bomber' Graham. Both featured in ‘Black Men on the Couch’ workshops to talk powerfully to the audience about their experiences of mental health problems.

Nine out of 10 people with mental health problems face stigma and discrimination as a result, and this can manifest itself in different ways in different communities. Stereo-Hype encouraged African and Caribbean communities to talk openly about mental health with the conversation led by the community itself, and challenge prejudices that surround the issue. Time to Change hopes the event will encourage more people from this community to get more actively involved with the campaign.

Festival Coordinator Sandra Griffiths said: "Many Black people with mental health problems live in the community. The current debate needs to go beyond the question of why there are so many Black people in the system and address the support systems for those who already live in the community or who are released from hospital without a safety net. We also want to encourage Black communities to start talking about what they can do to support black people with mental health problems and not just rely on mental health services to fill the gap."

Time to Change has also just launched its latest national marketing campaign – ‘It’s time to talk. It’s time to change’. The campaign encourages everyone, regardless of their background, to start a conversation around mental health. It also aims to remove the awkwardness around mental health by focusing on the small steps we can all take to support someone who’s going through a difficult time.



The campaign is inspired by stories of real people who have been there for someone experiencing a mental illness. A new advert featuring these ‘everyday heroes’ was aired on TV screens throughout January and February to highlight the importance of staying in contact and being supportive of friends and family members.



As part of the campaign, Time to Change found that three quarters of people (75%) who have experienced a mental health problem say they have lost friendships as a result of their illness1.



Furthermore, the survey found that 40%2 of British adults would feel awkward talking to a friend who was experiencing a mental health problem. And, only around a quarter (27%)2 feel it would be their responsibility to bring the subject up if they knew a friend was going through a tough time with their mental health.



Sadly, these findings show that despite many people knowing someone with a mental health problem, they still don’t feel equipped with enough knowledge to be a supportive friend. The misconceptions that still surround people with a mental health problem make others worry about offending or embarrassing someone, or saying or doing the wrong thing. So people avoid seeing their friends or speaking to them, when in fact these are the very things that can be helpful.



However, as part of the campaign, Time to Change shows people that you don’t have to be an expert to start a conversation about mental health. Being a supportive friend can include small gestures like sending a quick text or email, or an invitation to meet up.



Since Time to Change began in 2007 there has been great progress in challenging the negative attitudes and behaviours around mental health problems. Last year in particular was a landmark year with many events and discussions that have really help to challenge some common misconceptions about people with mental health problems. Now this momentum has been achieved we need to grab it with both hands. There is a long way to go but if we all do our bit we can reach the tipping point where the topic of mental health isn’t something we shy away from.





Hayley Richardson



www.time-to-change.org.uk

‘WINDRUSH AT 65’

by Colin Grant

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the SS Empire Windrush sailing into Tilbury Docks, with 493 West Indian emigrants onboard. As the wide-eyed hopefuls disembarked they probably had no inkling that their epic journey to the ‘Mother Country’ would herald the phenomenon of multi-cultural Britain – at least, as we now regard it in the modern era.


Today, however, even the term ‘multi-culturalism’ is a contentious issue and political football: immigration reform, for example, was one of the main planks in the ‘Queen’s Speech’ which outlined the government’s forthcoming legislative agenda; and Nigel Farage’s UK Independence Party (Ukip) is riding high in the opinion polls, primarily based on its single-issue agenda: an unapologetic aversion to immigration. Not only has their popularity soared it’s also taken the major political parties by surprise. Arguably, this has led to the government and its opposition increasingly lurching further to the ‘right’, in order to win back voters who have defected to Ukip.

It is against this backdrop that Colin Grant’s Bageye at the Wheel seems especially topical and pertinent to the wider debate. Indeed, it is one of the few literary accounts by a contemporary British writer that offers a unique insight into how the Windrush generation fared, especially after they had ‘outstayed’ their welcome. Furthermore, Grant’s skilful storytelling has been recognized in his being shortlisted for this year’s prestigious PEN/Ackerley Prize for Memoir.

Grant’s tale, told through the eyes of his 10-year-old self, is the story of growing up in 1970s Luton – an unattractive, semi-industrial English town which, at that time, only a smattering of West Indians called home. He recounts in vivid colours and language [Jamaican patois] his experience of acting as a go-between for his father, reluctant to engage in any meaningful way with his host country, and living in a household where he had to negotiate two separate cultures: a West Indian one at home; and a British one outside.

His father, ‘Bageye’, came to the UK shortly after Windrush, but his was not a tale of assimilation. Indeed, he only kept company with fellow West Indians – most of whom, like ‘Bageye’, so called because of the bags under his eyes, and as was the tradition, were also only ever known by their nicknames: Pumpkin Head; Tidy Boots; Shine; Summer Wear and the other “fellars”. The colourful cast of characters’ main source of entertainment was the all-night poker game that often stretched from Friday nights to Sunday mornings.

Colin Grant recalls that his father mistrusted the English – the Irish, as despised as the West Indians, were alright though – and warned that as a young black British boy he was “different” an “outsider” and needed to be careful how he conducted himself in public, as “he was always being watched”.

Grant’s voice, then, is authentic and he lends an especially poignant viewpoint on the consequences of dreams dashed and hopes deferred, as was felt by ‘Bageye’ and his ilk when it slowly dawned on them that their five-year plans to “work some money” and return to the West Indies had somehow morphed into permanency.

Whilst over the years this had settled into a grudging resignation on both sides, the country had, more recently, to adjust itself to accommodate a new wave of emigrants. Ignorance and an irrational fear of “the other” albeit former British subjects had largely been transferred to Eastern Europeans: firstly, the Poles and, laterally, Bulgarians and Romanians. To that extent, Bageye at the Wheel is, in its own way, testament to the old adage: as much as things change, they remain the same.