Jamaican Diaspora: Adventure

Carnival in the Caribbean has a complicated origin. It’s tied to colonialism, religious conversion and ultimately freedom. The festival originated with Italian Catholics in Europe but later spread to France, Spain and Portugal, who brought this pre-Lenten tradition with them to the “New World”. Although it dominated Catholic colonies, this event is now celebrated all over the Caribbean. Carnivals transformed to become more heterogeneous. With the ending of slavery, the freed population expressed themselves through dress, music and dancing. Carnival is celebrated in the diaspora during the summer instead of lent, because of the weather.

Jamaican Diaspora

Montego Bay, Jamaica - June 04 2015: Smiling middle age Jamaican female vendor sitting in her shop with woven baskets and other hand made items for sale at a craft market in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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Jamaican Diaspora

Editor’s Note

The importance of being there

Here and there is a matter of steps. One could move forward or backward. For a positive outcome, it is a no brainer. To embrace self-love, let us go there:

1. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ... “

2. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “

3. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

4. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.

5. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

6. When did you last cry in front of another person or yourself?

7. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

8. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

9. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

10. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving

your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

11. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

12. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

Janice K. Maxwell Editor in chief

Contributors

Clive Henry Raul Blaze

Nathan A. Robinson

Zavio Burchenson

Sade Smith

Jamaican Diaspora

Book Club Selections:

Jamaican Diaspora

DESTINATION: APPLETON ESTATE

The Appleton Estate is the oldest rum distillery in continuous operation in Jamaica and has been perfecting this fine craft since 1749. A winner of many prizes and awards since 1862, Appleton Estate Rum is one of the best rums in the world. Since 1749, these premium, aged rums have been produced from meticulously cultivated sugar cane that is Estate-grown and harvested on the beautiful island of Jamaica. Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums deliver distinctive, rich, complex, luxurious flavors within a wide array of offerings. Appleton Estate handcrafted rums are strictly Estate-distilled using a proprietary yeast strain propagated from the sugar cane grown on the Estate, and produced through the painstaking combination of small batch copper pot and column distillation. With the ideal climate for producing rum, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum matures in carefully selected, handcrafted oak barrels. Tours are offered along with samples of their various products.

Musical Notes: SACAJ

This enthralling singer/songwriter, Danece Alia Jácas, is commonly known as Sacaj. She becomes the 5th Woman to Win Jamaica’s Festival Competition in Its 56-Year History. Her festival song beat the nine other entries. Danece hails from St. Mary, in Jamaica, who began singing when she attended the University of Technology in Kingston at the age of 18 majoring in entrepreneurship. All though Sacaj was always singing and writing songs, she did not plan to follow it as a music as a career. However, a producer friend reached out to her and encouraged the talent that he saw. This began her journey in the music industry. Sacj describes her music as “passionate, soulful, and enthralling”. Her honeyed tone voice is a refreshing reggae sound that is one of the new faces Jamaican music.

Callaloo & Saltfish Pizza

Jamaican Callaloo & Saltfish makes a great topping for pizza. This healthy homemade pizza will be a hit with vegans (minus the saltfish). If you are willing to try something different, try our Callaloo & Saltfish Pizza.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust

• 1 cup seasoned tomato sauce

•

•

cup sliced onion

cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cups cooked callaloo & saltfish (see recipe)

METHOD:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)

• Place the pizza crust on a large non-stick cookie tray or pizza pan.

• Brush the crust evenly with olive oil.

• Spread tomato sauce over it with the back of a spoon or spatula.

• Sprinkle cheese and onions evenly over the sauce.

• Bake for 8 minutes (do not let the cheese fully melt)

• Remove and add the callaloo and saltfish (vegans minus the saltfish)

• Bake for another 5 minutes.

• Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before cutting.

ERASED

Here I am in your time of need, to fix your mistakes

To want a do over isn’t greed, a few swipes is all it takes

It seems I’ve started to lose my look; my pinkish hue has been covered in grey soot

The more you erase, the less I am, as you sweep my pieces with the back of your hand I wonder where you’ll spread my ash, I didn’t know it’d be the trash My job as an eraser is long overdue, now that there’s nothing left of me to use

The journey was fun, now it’s done, and I’ll be replaced As it is for all of your mistakes, now it’s my turn...to be erased

Jamaica, Land We Love

When I first went to Jamaica, I was twenty-one years old. I had always wanted to go there on a vacation as a child, but never had the opportunity until I was in my adult years. My best friend and I arrived at the Norman Manley airport in Kingston and as soon as I walked out the airport, I felt different. For some reason, I felt calm and carefree as if all my worries were left back in Canada.

My friend was born in Jamaica, so she knew her way around and the first place we went to was KFC. I thought it odd for her to be so adamant about going to KFC, but when we got our food I immediately saw what the big deal was all about. The KFC in Jamaica is 100 times better than the KFC in North America and I couldn’t get enough of it. We stayed at my aunty’s house in Waterhouse and had a blast.

We enjoyed lobster on Hellshire beach near Portmore and every place we went was a great experience. The people were a vibe, the parties were amazing and the food... WOW! The food tasted way better in Jamaica than it does at home. Even something as simple as bully beef and rice tasted better in Jamaica and I couldn’t put my finger on it as to why that was, but it was.

We saw a few celebrities such as Bounty Killa, Monster Empire, Etana and we even saw Vybz Kartel drive past us in his SUV. Everything about Jamaica is a vibe and it is one of my favourite places to be... especially the beach. The water is warm and clear as day, the sun is therapeutic and the white sand between my toes was calming. The other times I went back to

Jamaica, I stayed at my Grandfather’s house in Montego Bay and another time I stayed at the Riu resort in Negril for Dream Weekend. Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios is a mustsee and the climb was fun and Rick’s Café in Negril has the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my entire life. Jamaica is definitely a place where everyone should experience in their lifetime at least once and it is a trip that will never be forgotten.

Catch A Vibe

From the coast of Florida to the shores South America, the warm waters of Central America to the eastern island seas, the Caribbean is a region of unparalleled beauty. The waters are warm, punctuated with soothing sands to the feet smiling in its famous sunshine. But inland lies the most beautiful of its features, it’s citizens. A history of the movement of peoples, both forced and voluntary, has resulted in a unique blend of cultures that attracts people from near and far.

Arguably, this is the greatest source of Caribbean pride, our culture. And when I speak

of culture, I’m talking about our food, music & language. Like many cultures, food is at the center of Caribbean life and some would say that it’s food is as equally famous as its sunshine. Curry, Jerk or Roast, Chicken, Pork or Fish, leave it to your palate to decide what it wants to indulge in; you won’t be disappointed. Going to the home of someone from ‘the islands’ as it’s affectionately called, means that you’ll be presented all kinds of delicious and sometimes spicy food, to which you are not allowed to say no.

When you are in the island streets, the best places to get food is at a ‘corner shop’. It’s a best kept secret that best food comes from the humblest of places. Being the birthplace of many genres, when you go to a Caribbean party, you are going not just to dance, but to sweat. Our music brings physical dancehalls and virtual spaces like TikTok to life, inspiring fashion and creating trends.

Now, we can’t talk about music without getting into carnival! Inspired by the lavish parties of planters, made into our own with the combined music of west Africans & Indians, carnival has become an almost all year round celebration with Trinidad considered the Mecca. Apart from events in other islands, very huge carnivals take place in

the UK, NYC & Canada. Finally, we can’t talk about the Caribbean without mentioning language. Many languages are spoken throughout the Caribbean but language isn’t just about English, French, Spanish etc, it’s the creoles that are formed from these that make communicating so colorful.

Whether you speak Haitian Creole or Patois, it is a known fact that when you really want to express yourself, the same thing cannot be said in French or English. Taking it a step further, there is island lingo that matches the vibe to the music and the food and this makes being ‘Caribbean’ so special. So, “mek we catch a vibe or have a line or vinni dance Caribbean style.”

Written by Raul Blaze

MY UK JAMAICAN EXPERIENCE

WRITTEN BY CLIVE HENRY

Clive Henry’s, autobiography is a David and Goliath story. This is one man’s fight to overcome adversity. Turning lemons into lemonade, this an inspiring story. Against all odds, this is a moral message to never give up. He fought a race discrimination case with his employer in 2010. His parents was part of

the Windrush generation to help rebuild England after the war. All credits go to his parents. “Without my parent raising me with strong values and knowing my history, I would not have been able to overcome all of the obstacles in my life.”

I was the sixth and last child of my Jamaican parents. They came to England in the 1960’s for a better life. Part of the Windrush era. When Britain invited people from the commonwealth to help rebuild Britain after the war. No Blacks; no dogs; no Irish signs that were common to see in England at the time. Every Black parent knows they have to school their children to the evils of racism in addition to normal standards of raising a child.

I had one brother and four sisters. One of my sisters, Carole, died as a baby. She is in the spirit world now watching over us. My brother, who was fifteen years older than me was living his best life. I didn’t see him much; therefore, all of my young memories are with my sisters. I remember so many fun times in the 70’s. We had hot summers then. It was a time of minimal technology. These were the days of black and white T.V. I remember using gold lucozade wrapping paper to imagine we were watching programs in color, dreaming we had a color

T.V. Such things people take for granted today.

I was very impressionable. I did so many Mr. Bean, stupid things as a child. It was like living in an episode of The Cosby Show. I remember watching a cop show, with somebody hanging on the top of a car roof. So, you know I had to try it! As a result, my parents would beat me so many times for nearly killing myself. My parents instilled the great Jamaican righteous spirit to do right in the eyes of God, work hard, welcome all, but fight for what is right.

I was raised on all the great Jamaicans like Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley and The Maroons - to mention a few. I have visited Jamaica three times. Twice to visit family and explore our rich history, and once as a tourist at Ocho Rios. I’m so proud to have my heritage in such a great nation of people. Without my parents raising me with strong values and knowing my history, I would not have been able to overcome all of the obstacles in my life.

Written by Clive Henry: Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/clivehenry1 Twitter: @clivehenry1 Instagram: racismisreal

My Jamaican Experience

Jamaica land we love, it’s more of a playground. A field for playing; which the Bigger heads have given us. We can are under a certain prefixed threshold set by the universe.

Having siblings is where we realize the special role Jamaica and the Caribbean has to play for the world. Face the facts; North America is nothing like the movies. The first two questions were are asked by Caucasians are (1) is it cold enough for you? (2) Why did you leave paradise?

You dear reader can look on this reality from the left or the right. But the fact remains, if Jamaica not “keeping it jiggy “ then we in worries. USAID and Digicel foundation to name two charities, do plenty of good work but me personal reasoning come back down to Jamaica and the diaspora is better off if our global ‘One World ‘ role was explained effectively to a people who ready for ‘something to do’ on the world stage. Bolt gets it.

JamaicaDiaspora.com is worthy to appeal to our needs to match up to what’s out there or even become a utopia. The content is great. Maybe complacency of the early seventies and 2000s is real killer and not the killers loose in the streets of 1980s and 2021.Who to tell. Personally me threshold for

bad news has reached a point where me can’t read ‘The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey’ nor watch the daily news.

Maybe we the intellectual class, read too many books. Because the Good book says knowledge increases sadness. (Paraphrase). Me personally prefer we do the Jimmy Cliff thing instead of the revolutionary Bob Marley thing, or maybe time will tell. But, one thing for sure we climb the charts either way.

Written by Zavio Burchenson

ALEX POWELL

Alex Powell made history by becoming the first person from Jamaica to top the podium at the FIA Karting European Championships. The 14-yearold won round three of the Championships in Kristianstad, Sweden. He is also the first karter from the Caribbean to achieve a victory in the championships. Alex’s victory meant that for the very first time in FIA History, the Jamaican national anthem was played. Powell continues to make a name for himself and for Jamaica.

Auto Drivers:

Natasha Chang

Natasha Chang was born in Jamaica and is very proud of her Chinese heritage. She made an impression on the international racing world in 2006 with her participation at the Palisades International Speedway with the Jet Con Race Team. Natasha bought her first racecar in 2008 for Racing Campaign: an RWD Corolla DX that she entered herself. In 2008, she won several Dexterity racing events and a Dover racing event

“I have always been a tomboy. My love of cars first started with my grandfather who would restore Jaguars. Our favorite time would be driving the coast from one side of Jamaica to another. I had no racing background till I was 18, when a friend invited me to the go-kart track. I’ve been hooked ever since. After karting, I tried my hand at autocross and dexterity, then bought my first group N rally car — the Evo. After which, I started circuit racing in my Honda Civic.”

Fraser McConnell

Fraser McConnell was born in Bog Walk in St. Catherine, Jamaica. Fraser began karting, motocross, and rally at the age of eight. MConnell achieved early success throughout his junior career, being named Jamaican Driver of the Year twice, and later claiming victory at Jamaica’s nationally competitive Dover Race Track at the age of 16. He is the most competitively successful Jamaican driver in the history of international rallycross racing—his championship victory in the 2019 Americas RallyCross Championship marked the first and only championship win by a Jamaican driver in the series’ history. In 2021, McConnell became the first and only Jamaican to claim a supercar victory in the Rally X Nordic league.

SARA MISIR

Sara Misir, 23, of Jamaica made her mark on auto racing history when she became the first woman from the Caribbean to qualify for the final of a Formula One competition in the United Kingdom. Misir was one of 50 finalists from over 9,000 applications from around the globe to the Formula One Women’s Program. At the program’s completion, the top competitor will be chosen to drive for a McLaren GT team in the 2022 GT Cup Championship. The competition’s final is scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2022, in the UK. Misir is also completing a master’s degree at Florida International University. According to her father, Rugie Misir, his daughter’s achievement represents a big boost for the sport in Jamaica and will put the nation on the map for racing.

Diaspora