A Penny For My Thoughts

Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar

2011-10-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

My HR Manager sent this to us last week and I felt compelled to share it with as many people as I could. I definitely needed this message; maybe you do as well...

No one can make you serve customers well... that's because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.

He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey ..

He handed Harvey's friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, Harvey read the card.. It said: Wally's Mission Statement:
To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment...

This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' Harvey's friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Wally smiled and said, 'No problem I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice..' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke.'

Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.'

As they were pulling away, Wally handed Harvey's friend another laminated card, "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always.. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.

He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd..'

'That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.

'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it.. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was
Suggesting..

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you... The ball is in our hands! A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up... Let us do good to all people.

Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar.

When will my people learn to truly be free?

2011-09-03T15:15:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me KNOWS I had to blog about this...

Yesterday Adrian Green, a Facebook friend and poet put up a status that immediately caught my eye:

“So...My sun...who is the most amazing 5 yr old in the world, was not accepted at Hilltop Preparatory School in Barbados because he has locs. Via Ayesha NuRa”

Admittedly I commented under the status “Ridiculous!" and went on with my day; but it rested heavy on my spirit. So I visited his page today to see if there had been any new developments. There I noticed he had shared a note written by the child’s mother Ayesha NuRa on Facebook: 'A Mother's Account of Discrimination at Hill Top Preparatory School' (http://www.facebook.com/notes/ayesha-nura/a-mothers-account-of-discrimination-at-hill-top-preparatory-school/10150285272671623 ).

“They said that I can’t go to that school because I have locs… but, I don’t want to cut my hair, Mommy.”

Honestly, I am livid.

I know many will say there are two sides to every story and this account should not be taken as gospel. Rightly so, but there is also no denying that this type of thing happens to young and old in numerous fields and situations who chose to wear locs. Truthfully, the issue is bigger than the Hill Top allegations... it extends to the undertones throughout our society... the undeniable prejudices. So whether or not the mother's account is true - there are still BIG problems to be addressed.

Personally, I have had people tell me what a bright future I have ahead of me and in the same breath tell me to cut my locs in favour of a hairstyle "more becoming" of an attorney-at-law. And when I respond in all of my fiery passion about how ridiculous a concept it is that in this day and age my opportunities could legitimately be limited by the style of my hair DESPITE my ability, I am told quite simply “That is just the way it is.”

THAT IS THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE WE LET IT BE SO!!

Locs are only good on models or coconut men in tourism promo campaigns for that exotic look??!!!

Do not tell me the world see’s XYZ a particular way. WE ARE THE WORLD!!

STOP ACCEPTING IT! That is the first step to changing what we acknowledge as “not right but just the way things are”.

I am not even going to approach this issue of locs from a legal perspective (and I could). This is an issue that can be determined on a far simpler level – one of right and wrong.

I read the piece by the mother FIVE times, then shared it on my personal Facebook & Twitter as well as WDA page. One of these posts immediately generated some feedback, specifically one from a Cole Tanner that read and I quote:

“I am a teacher, UWI hons graduate and a former cadet officer... and ....I have locks... I am not a rasta, I don't smoke... But I do get followed around by security in Channel Supermarket in Deacons Road each and everytime I shop there which makes me laugh my head off... But really it's not funny”

Why is this still acceptable?

And I want to take the discussion even beyond locs to the innate racism floating in the air in Barbados.

Do you know how many times I have witnessed a change in tone, approach and attitude in customer service based on the colour of the customer’s skin?

Ever noted how little races in Barbados really mix? How do you manage to accomplish that is a country that is 93% black?

Even among black people, we have created something akin to a caste system – the lighter the better. “Good hair” is curls and waves. “Pretty eyes” are a huge plus. You are generally considered to be more attractive the less ‘black’ you look.

Honestly I am going to stop writing now because some things cannot be expressed in words but let me just say how very sad it is to see manifested in plain sight just how indoctrinated with self-hate black people remain. Thick layers of colonial residue still colour our judgment and dictate our attitudes and actions. The injustices we perpetrate against each other are worse than the atrocities others have done to us because we know better yet do no better.

I pray for a day when my people learn to truly be free.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley... my absolute favourite poem

2011-08-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Its words resonate within me more and more with each passing day. INVICTUS :)

SHAKE IT OFF & STEP UP

2011-08-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Someone sent this to me last night and I felt compelled to share it with as many as I could. I definitely needed this message; maybe you do as well...

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' … what else mule would a mule do in such a situation?! After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened … and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back … a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back … HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up," he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THE WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him … all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity … the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us! Remember that FORGIVENESS, FAITH, PRAYER, PRAISE, and HOPE … all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves! This story reminded me of life. The dirt is a symbolism of the tests and trials that we go through in life. The stepping up is the symbolism of growing and learning from our life experiences.

SHAKE IT OFF & STEP UP

My Summer Resolutions 2011

2011-06-19T16:47:00.001-07:00

So I'm here chillin' having just told one of my friends (as I often do)

"YOU!!! Change you life yuh!"

and then I got to thinking about mine...

That led to thoughts of where I was at the start of 2011 versus where I am now - allow me a moment to give thanks...

Anyway you can't think of a new year without thinking of resolutions, right? I recorded my 2011 new year resolutions on this very blog (http://sadenjemmott.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html) and I think I'm doing pretty well on them, except the no bbm convos after 6pm :s

But I digress...

To make a long story short, thoughts of new year resolutions gave rise to these- my summer resolutions!

1.
Find a job!! (Summer ends September 1st and I better be EMPLOYED!)

2.
Learn to make the sexiest sweet bread anyone ever tasted. (You know when food is sooooo good it gives you that little eye twitch?? THAT my friend is sexy food!)

3.
Lose at least 20 pounds (somewhat incompatible with resolution #2 but we'll work it out!) The idea is to be 20 pounds closer to my Cat-stats!! (Confused? Goggle images of Catya Washington #enoughsaid)

LMAO! Will add more as I think of them...

ALL AH WE ARE ONE: The Threads That Keep Us Together

2011-04-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

In an effort to raise regional consciousness, all members of the Girl Guiding family as well as the general public were invited to celebrate the Caribbean Link of Girl Guiding Week of Activities at the Girl Guides Headquarters in St. Vincent from Tuesday 26th April to Friday 29th April, 2011.

"As a regionalist from Barbados" I was invited to deliver an address at their Regional Integration Symposium - ALL AH WE ARE ONE: The Threads That Keep Us Together hosted on Tuesday 26th April, 2011.

Needless to say I eagerly accepted this invitation to speak on one of my favorite topics and here follows the content of my address:

No matter how many times I am asked to speak to an audience, I always get sooooo nervous. I mean I am literally shaking as I speak... but I assure you it is no reflection on my resolve as it pertains to regional integration. There’s nothing shaky about my belief that out of many we are indeed one people and that come what may, One Caribbean still.

President of the SVG Girl Guides Association – Mrs June Russell; Chief Commissioner of the SVG Girl Guides Association – Mrs Althea Commissiong; Other Members of the Caribbean Link of Guiding and SVG Girl Guides Association; Distinguished Guests; Media Personnel; Ladies, gentlemen and leaders of the future...

Allow me a moment to express my gratitude for having been invited to address you this evening. I am humbled at the expression of confidence in a 22 year old such as myself with little more to offer than my knowledge of the region’s past, my opinion on its present and my vision for its future.

I think is it quite significant that I am addressing the Caribbean Link of Guiding, as it is the continuation of the Federal Link of the Girl Guides Association of the West Indies which was formed back in April of 1958 in the context of the West Indies Federation. I find this significant because although the Federation failed, YOU DID NOT.

Do you know what that is testament of?
The threads that bind.

It says, ladies and gentlemen, that even where our leaders do not get it right... WE WILL because we are an inextricably linked people.

It was true of Federation and I stand here before you today to say it IS true of CARICOM. It is true because what binds the Caribbean together is not the will of our respective elected officials... it is not any social, political or economic agenda... or even the Treaty of Chaguaramas. It isn’t even about our shared institutions... but rather our shared culture and history.

All ah we are one!

But I am not going to stand here and tell you we all “came on the same slave ship”. The truth is we did not. By the grace of God, the Caribbean is a rich melting pot of Amerindian, African, Indian, European, Chinese and many other descendents. Yet I need not chronicle the whole story behind “The People Who Came” to impress upon you that this is exactly what makes the Caribbean so special.

Out of many we are indeed one people.

We one people when we sing a reggae song...
When we play mas through the streets...
When we curse the West Indian team for losing another match.

But if there is one thing that makes the Caribbean Caribbean it would have to be our resilience as a people. We are all built special in the corner of the world. From Jamaica in the north all down the archipelago to Trinidad and including the mainland territories – we are a strong people. We have endured pressures from Western powers, rebellions, invasions, coups, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and even periods of financial crisis but STILL WE RISE.

Furthermore, we are ALWAYS there for each other when we need it most. But like any family we fight. And like any family, sometimes we will work out our differences and sometimes we will not but we are still a family... still One Caribbean.

That said, I have been asked to address you on the threads that keep us together but it would be remiss of me, in light of regional current events not to address the forces that seek to pull us apart. Forces such as the immaturity that some of our leaders display at times... the intolerance some our people project... the ignorance we still have of each other’s culture differences... and the colonial residue of our past which includes indoctrinated concepts of self-hate and the like.

To address these shortcomings we need to be honest with ourselves and each other. Indeed, if nothing else, the attitude of many governments to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the allegations of mistreatment of Caribbean nationals at the Grantley Adams International Airport and such recent events have shown us that we still have a lot of work to do in the integration movement.

While most people want to keep believing in and working towards Caribbean integration, it is undeniable that frustration has been building for a long time now. People are tired of the rhetoric and political spins. We, as a region have been chasing our tails for decades and we know now what we knew then- nationalistic agendas have hindered our regional groupings from the inside-out. This needs to come to an end because currently the ideal of integration is repeatedly sacrificed when plotting political strategy to obtain another term in office.

To see any real progress the movement needs everyone. We all need to make the personal effort, to pull up a neighbour when they fall short, to demand more of our people, to demand more of our leaders. And this is especially important now where many governments in the region have in recent times made arguably anti-integration statements or policy decisions. It is our responsibility to ensure that they do better than this. As a people we have a duty to hold them accountable.

But while we cannot always count on a top-down regionalism so we must ensure that we constantly nurture the concept of One Caribbean at the grassroot level. It is then and only then that real movement will occur. I believe that we can achieve more meaningful integration this way. The rate at which RedJet flights sold out last week says to me it is more than possible....it is inevitable.

In my humble opinion, the greatest challenge for Caribbean states in functioning as a collective remains overcoming individual smallness which is not just a matter of physical size, but is also psychological. The psychological impact of smallness shows itself in two ways in most Caribbean countries. 1. Fear of each other and 2. Self-perception in relation to larger, more powerful countries. These are weaknesses that can no longer go ignored especially in the context of a globalising world.

What do I mean by that?

Globally, there is an intensification of relations between States as well as regions. This has brought with it a steady progression to a borderless world economy through the removal of barriers to the movement of goods and capital between countries. As a result, there is increased interdependence amongst countries. What this means for us as a region is that we will literally have to depend on each other for survival in the new world order.

We are now more than a ‘sphere to be influenced’ and have instead sought to carve out a place for ourselves internationally. Arguably, what each of us have achieved in this regard to date, would not have been possible without the collective bargaining strength our regional grouping provides. As globalisation spreads, demanding changes in approach and thinking, so too must the understanding of who we are evolve. We must see ourselves as One Caribbean to be treated as One Caribbean.

Rather than being distracted or discouraged by conflicts that have arisen among us we need to capitalise on our collective power. As a friend of mine quite rightly pointed out the European Union has managed free movement, a common currency and a host of other strides in terms of their integration DESPITE the fact that they spent most of the last millennium trying to kill each other - The Hundred Years War, Thirty Years War, World War I, World War II – just to name a few! Next to Europe’s bloody past, our issues in the Caribbean are squabbles which pose no real hindrance to integration and as such do not undermine the fact we are indeed ONE PEOPLE.

But even as I make this point about the European Union I want to point out another success story much closer to home- the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Indeed CARICOM could learn a lot from them on how to not only make integration work ...but how to make it work for each member state. Thanks to sacrifices on the part of everyone initially, the level of institutional integration accomplished in the OECS has ensured significant social and economic growth in its member states as well as a deeper sense of community. Its success is such that the Manning administration of Trinidad & Tobago would have even entertained thoughts of joining them when it was perceived that CARICOM was moving too slow along the integration path.

These are examples to emulate both structurally and philosophically. The European Union, the OECS – these show what is possible for CARICOM if we set egos aside and refocus on our collective identity. In truth, integration is happening in the region and many states, sadly the more developed countries in the region, need to come to the humbling realisation that they cannot hold the movement hostage. Gone are the days where 1 from 10 left naught. As such, it is time for all of us to get on board, or be left behind.

Therefore, in closing I want to take this opportunity to say to the integrationists among us: “fear not, all is not lost” and to those attempting to stand in the way of our integration: “you are fighting a losing battle.”

All ah we are one!

I thank you for your time.

Another Rasta Rant...

2011-04-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings! Its been a long time since I last blogged
but no time for pleasantries when a war is being fought.
But first let me warn you, this blog will be dread
And that isn't a reference to the hair on my head :)

Yow!! Lemme talk bout this bleaching now cuz nuff a wunna never understand it when Bob sing emancipate yourself from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds.

Before I start to bun this fyah hey so, lemme confess that I was reluctant to write on this issue because I've come to realise that when certain messages come from a deadlocked vessel they are taken with more than a pinch of salt and disregarded as "another rasta rant", but I tell myself forget it and I come to talk de tings.I even tell myself abandon the Standard English and keep it raw pun this one, so here I am.

The Almighty doesn't make mistakes so no matter what colour you were born you need to LOVE YOURSELF! I'm talking about this battle raging inside so many of us... the conflict between who we are and who we want to be.

Study these Queen Ifrica lyrics from 'Mi Nah Rub' a moment...

Brown skin, a nuh fi everybody
so bleaching you fi stop it
from you do that to you skin
that mean Seh you nuh love yourself
Jah mek you perfect so no judge yourself
The person weh a tell you seh black nah wear again
insecure with themself so nuh follow dem
Mi nah bleach mi no care if dat a di trend
proud to be black as a matter of fact
I have no white God so doan teach mi anything wrong
You waan mi dilute mi colour
cause you think it too strong
side effect a skin cancer dat a One
plus mi nah waan fi look like nuh purple Dragon
Alright then...

.............................

How you think di Almighty feel fi know him nah go
recognize you pon di day when him bust di Seal,
di voice sound the same, but you nuh look di same
man nah a guh have nobody but unno self to blame,
release yo self, bust up di mental chain
nuh mix no more toothpaste with nuh banana stain
can't walk inna sun now you turn vampire
Skin a burn like seh when gas mix with fire
But all is not lost all you need is prayer...

I didn't watch the news last night but my blackberry BLEW UP as soon as the relevant special was finished because my people KNOW how I feel about this nonsense. More or less it examined the popularity of bleaching in Barbados recently. My question therefore is: What is this nonsense that pharmacies can't keep bleaching cream on their shelves because as it come, it sell???

WTF??!!

Black people wake up!! Wake up and see yourself as the Kings and Queens you are. Wake up and learn to love the skin you are in!!

I expressed these sentiments on my bb, Twitter and Facebook and some of the responses made my blood literally boil because my people have become so accepting of the unacceptable that I fear for the future.

Is this what our forefathers fought for??

How can you chalk up this bleaching trend to simply a fashion statement?

How can you seek to equate it with straightening one's hair or tanning??

It is far deeper than a fashion statement. It is a very glaring manifestation of a far greater problem we have in the Caribbean when it comes to skin colour. Tanning is not the same as bleaching... it could never in a million years be the same. WHY? History!!!

Our historical past is what sets one apart from the other... hundreds of years of slavery and after that hundreds of years of discrimination against the black race and even within the race itself based on what shade of black you were!!!

WAKE UP!!!

The widely held notion that the lighter you are the better you are IS the reason bleaching is different. It speaks to an indoctrinated sense of inferiority... one which is so mainstream its almost unidentifiable.

Why is it that if we are cursing someone, its: "Yuh black stinking dog...". Why is it that when we portray ourselves even TO ourselves we gravitate toward the lighter skinned, curlier hair images. Why is it that natural hair and locks are still associated with persons of lower class?? And it is widely accepted that to achieve upward mobility you have to go in the opposite direction?

We need to stop pretending that there isn't a problem!

My friend told me today of a woman in Jamaica who had been bleaching so long it come like she forgot she could bleach her skin but not her genes; that woman put bleaching cream on her 3 month old baby!!

Yow! I ain't even gotta tell wunna how I feel about that...

Bleaching is a choice like any other. The good Lord in his infinite wisdom gave us free will and we've been abusing it ever since. However, I do not propose to take it away, rather I want to express my concern about the mentality behind this act. If you bleach your skin to be more socially accepted or to be better in some way you have a problem... one that cannot be fixed with anything found in a pharmacy or mixed together in a lab.

As another ranting rasta said on the matter: "Judge not lest ye be judged is nice, but far too often just a justification of laziness and inaction..." REAL TALK!

And do not tell me there are "bigger problems in the world to tackle such as global warming, poverty and wars..." NONSENSE!

Again to quote my ranting rasta friend: "If you think that skin bleaching, poor self image, poverty, global warming and wars are separate and distinct form one another, I would beg to differ. It is easy to maintain poverty when people do not feel good about themselves, do not feel motivated about much in life. If no one cares about themselves enough to be happy in their own skin, why would they care about a rapidly heating planet? If no one can eat why would they care about the planet? If no one cares about themselves enough to love their skin, how can they have enough strength of character and depth of constitution to oppose things like wars? If everyone says "to each his own" who will take the initiative to care about wars, and the poor and the conflicted bleachers? The first mistake is to think that things are separate..."

Wake up and take responsibility for the society we live in.

Wake up and take responsibility for the type of world our children will inherit.

As that refrain from Distant Relatives goes:

Africa must wake up
Ye sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today?

We have a serious problem. This is a serious problem that runs far deeper than the latest disturbing trend.

In the words of H.I.M Haile Selassie I:

"...Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained..."

But what does that mean for you?

It translates into: recognise this for what it is and let us as a society address the root cause. Like any other sickness, we need to find the cure for this.

For auld lang syne...

2011-01-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

!!♥.¸¸.•´¯`• ♥ •´¯`•.¸¸.♥ ! ♥.¸¸.•´¯`• ♥ •´¯`•.¸¸.♥ !!

2010 is officially over!

It's a new year and we all know resolutions come with the territory... changes (big or small) we vow to make in the future. Ever reflective I've been turning my life over in my head to come up with my new year resolutions for 2011.

I posted them on Facebook one by one as they came to me and the feedback was generally positive so I may just be on to a few things, LOL :)

Now the first day of the rest of my life is here: 1st January 2011 and here follows my new year resolutions(in the order that they occurred to me).

THE BIG EIGHT
-----------------------

#1.
LOL, stop having bbm convos after 6pm. (I inevitably fall asleep in the middle of them)

#2.
STOP checking for people that clearly don't give a f*ck about me.

#3.
Accept that ‘my type’ may not necessarily be what is meant for me and act accordingly. If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.

#4.
Remove the word 'can't' from my vocabulary. Impossible is nothing.

#5.
Don't let 2011 meet me with any of these 'made in China' bitches in my life.

#6.
Develop myself and my dreams in 2011 even more so than I did in 2010 -God willing (I thought about what a huge year 2010 was for me - lots of firsts, a couple lasts, ups, downs, made a few friends, dropped a couple fakers, registered Whas De Action, co-founded ISLAND FUSION, launched CERTIFIED and got a year closer to being Sade N. Jemmott Attorney-at-Law!!) ----> Oh Jah!!! I have to give thanks for my many many blessings. Without you none of it would have been possible. I'm so ready for what 2011 holds!

#7.
Stop focusing so much on what my INTENTION was and pay more attention instead to what IMPRESSION was received. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.

#8.
Live each day like my last, love deeper, laugh harder, cry without shame, never go to sleep angry and regret nothing that made be happy even if only for a moment!

BONUS RESOLUTION adapted from a Facebook friend just now..
---------------------
#9.
Learn to stand on my own two feet and never become so dependent on someone else that I actually NEED them because the reality is that even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.

That's all folks!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Happy ☆ 2011 ☆
¸.•´¸.•*¨`*. ¸.•*¨*.¸¸.•*¨`*•ƸӜƷ
(¸¸¸.•*¨`*•.•´*.☆.•* .•´♥

And remember you've got one life to live - live it to the fullest!!!

#nolimitsin2011

Love Shaz!

Open Letter To My Lover

2010-10-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

I miss you…sometimes.

Stars tell our story because they wrote it.

Sitting on rooftops above it all,
So high, we couldn’t fall,
Talking about life and love.
You lying to yourself that we had a future,
Me lying to myself that I believed you.
Lies between us never changed what lied between us,
My lover, who penetrated everything but my body.
We never lost touch with each other, just reality,
Resentful that our respective worlds never let us be.
But I’ll let go of you if you promise not to let go of me.
I promise to set you free,
But only if a corner of your heart remains reserved for me
I just need to know you won’t forget...

Sleeping next me partially clothed,
heart fully exposed.
Lion next to lamb, laying in love,
Never mind we were lying in love,
I’ll always love you.
We’re a secret everyone knows,
but no one understands.
I know I shut you out and cut you once in a while,
But when you bleed at least I know it’s still alive.
You’re my kryptonite.
But I got a lot a fight left in me.
It’s just that some nights,
Nights like these,
I’m blissfully miserable reliving memories.
Its like I’m comforted acknowledging the space
Just because it proves you really were here.

I know you don’t get it,
But I’d rather mean nothing to him,
Than something you because I’m not everything.
And I can’t stand to be everything to anyone else.
I respect you for everything you are,
But I love you for everything I am.
The power in you mirrors the weakness in me
And vice versa.
We could never work,
But the beauty is we don’t need to,
But I need you,
just to be there.
Never too far away,
Just close enough to be my escape.
And it’s not cheating because this is spiritual,
A matter of necessity, that’s mutual.

One more thing…
I believe in you.
I believe in you more than you will ever know,
And I pray for you more than I do myself.

I just needed you to know this.

Event Galleries: Picture Perfect? I THINK NOT!!!

2010-09-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Now this isn't the kind of post I usually make but this is MY outlet to say exactly what I feel about ANY topic under the sun. Feel free to comment :)

Agree or disagree- it matters not.

Something has been bothering me for some time and it is the way some event photographers do their job. In all honesty I wasn't going to blog about this but was encouraged to do so, so here I am.

As I said in a Facebook status a few hours ago, I'm not even trying to be bad for the sake of being bad, but I am HONESTLY of the view that some photographers make a concerted effort to take a gallery full of the MOST POP-DOWN looking people in any party.

I will admit that I used to find it funny. I once enjoyed signing into Facebook and seeing the latest hot messes, but the novelty has certainly worn off. It just is not even funny any more because galleries like those are posted with such consistency that it gives the distinct impression to the world that only zoopies attend certain parties and/or that everyone in Barbados has questionable fashion sense and piss-poor make-up skills :|

To be honest, I don't even care who takes this blog personally because it is something that needs be said. I think people take for granted the fact that what they post to the internet goes so much further than these 166 square miles or even this region.

It just looks bad!

In response to similar sentiments, a friend of mine, who is also a photographer, commented that he thinks that if someone is putting up photos for the world to see they should at least be 75% eyecandy. I had to let him know that just as he makes that special effort in selecting his subjects, so too do the guilty parties.

I am convinced that these photo galleries are purposely posted as they are. No self-respecting photographer 'accidentally' does that. Often, it is even quite apparent that the subject of the photograph is not ready. Some are even caught in the middle of speaking to the person behind the camara, yet the photograph is nonetheless posted on some of the region's most popular websites.

Got ghastly make-up on? You're in!

Wearing stripes, pleather leggings, floral, animal print, neon colours AND polka dots all in the same outfit complete with rainbow weave? DAMN girl! The album cover is YOURS!!

THIS SHIT GETS ME VEX!!

It's just not acceptable.

I have been at parties and personally observed photographers at work, walking past nicely dressed ladies to ask a group of girls with powder in their necks, painted on hairlines, fishnet stockings and the same dresses (only in different colours) with that paint splash design to pose for their photo galleries.

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????!!!

That said I'm a fair person, so having said 'A', I must say 'B'.

Event promoters need to take their blame for this because many of them INSIST on inviting photographers who are guilty of this to cover their events. Furthermore every fool with a camera is NOT a photographer!

Some promoters, on the other hand, insist on viewing all photographs before they are published- Allure Entertainment for example does this. Others like iLLY Events and ISLAND FUSION insist on having inappropriate or unflattering shots removed immediately. That is all part and parcel of responsible hosting, in my opinion.

Failure to do this can and does shape the image of your event, believe me! I have heard people say, "Who?? Not me, I cant go _________, that crowd too bashy for me! You see how dem girls does dress" when the truth is, the photo galleries are not fair representations.

I sincerely hope I've gotten my point across.

Let me also take this opportunity to commend those photographers who are very good at what they do and strive to constantly improve. Your work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Having said that, as I said to a group of people a while ago, this post WILL offend some who may in turn say that I'm "hating" or "just vex somebody ain't tek my picture".

As unfortunate as comments like that would be, so be it, say what you want, but this is REAL TALK here and I sincerely hope offending parties, after taking offence, swiftly address the error in their ways.

I Come Tuh Fling It Up Doa...

2010-09-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

So I woke up this morning around 6am with the inexplicable desire to try my hand at 'Fling'. By the time I got out the bath I had the first 8 or so lines on mental repeat, by 8am I had my first Fling ;)

---------------------------------------

NOTE: 'Fling' is a new musical genre developed by AzMan®, a unique group hailing from Bridgetown, Barbados. The genre 'Fling' maybe described as FLowing and sINGing in Bajan dialect and was unofficially established when the group was founded in 2002. The quartet comprises members Gibbzydan, Levitance, Doddy and Dee.

---------------------------------------

I COME TUH FLING IT UP DOA...

Yeh doa!
I neva do dis hey befo.
Still a virgin,
But I come tuh Fling it up doa.
So sit back an relax,
Lemme lay down muh facts.
Pun dis riddim,
Lemme siddung muh chat.
I nah tek it back.

I aint nuh man-basha,
but I come to keep it real.
Stop step tuh de I-mpress
Wid chick'n chip deals
Wunna want my attention?
Gimme cook food appeal.
Sain lil heaviah,
Tuh get muh tru muh day.
Not dah quick-fix shit,
To mek ya shit quick.
Gimme substance.

Yeh, dis one hard doa.
Aint really greedy,
but ah want mo.
Mo than wha yuh gimme,
when yah hard doa.
I rate conversation.
Mental penetration,
So I cud cum fuh yuh.
Dat seem nuff tuh ask,
But I wid ride fuh yuh.
Cheer ya on, prop yuh up,
Cyaaaan be a side tuh yuh.

My flava dun strong,
I cuh stan’ alone.
Lemme te'yuh!
I’s belly-full pun muh own.
But fuh de right man,
I cud play dah role.
Unlock yah senses,
Leh yuh tek control.
Wid the right mix ah herbs,
Yuh elevate muh.
Wid de right mix ah words,
I excite yuh.
And vice versa.
Long love.
Not jus’ de carnal kind.
Deep shit,
I talkin’ state ah mind.

Yeh doa!
I neva do dis hey befo.
Was a virgin,
But I tink I Fling it up it doaaaa :)

Marijuana: the legal headache

2010-09-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

So I'm getting my hair palm-rolled, while half-listening to the radio this morning and managed to catch the news saying, "Bob Marley's youngest daughter, Makeda Jah-nesta Marley, pleaded guilty to growing 12 marijuana plants in her home." Immediately the usual question came to mind:

"Why are people still facing incarceration for ganja?"

GENERAL VIEW
-------------------
My general view, for which I make no apology, is quite simple. Decriminalise Marijuana, thus making it at most a civil offence. Note, I do not propose to go as far as to legalise it.(To me that would be a bridge we cross some time in the future, if ever). In other words, what I propose at the moment is that the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana would remain illegal, but jail sentences and criminal records would be replaced with fines. It is my belief that the current penalties are too harsh and are in fact disproportionate to the crime itself, especially when it remains hard to deny that alcohol has far more adverse effects on the human body and mind than Marijuana, yet it remains legal and sold on almost every street corner in the region.

A criminal record causes employment difficulties, issues when attempting to pursue further education and problems with international travel. In other words, a couple spliffs could ruin one individual's entire future prospects under the current legal regime.

Incarceration for Marijuana possession operates to take otherwise productive persons in society and lock them away. I take issue with this, for quite a few reasons. Not only are you exposing such person to far more sinister criminal elements but you are, more often than not, dealing with someone who is between 16-60 and therefore are sure to have obligations and prospects that would be better served with them remaining functioning members of society. Where they are employed- they contribute with taxes to supporting our social systems. Also, we ought not to discount the social impact it has on families when members are removed under such circumstances.

Moreover, recent reports indicate that it costs in the region of $69 BDS per day to maintain an inmate at H.M.P Dodds. Why should a State continue to spend that amount of money to incarcerate individuals who do not NEED to be incarcerated, insofar as they are no danger to others or themselves? Furthermore, too much of the criminal justice system's resources are now directed at law enforcement, when they could be better spent on the public health and education aspects of marijuana use and addiction- prevention is better than cure, is it not? Where more attention and resources are channeled toward the health and education sides of the Marijuana issue this creates a much greater opportunity to look at the possibility of use for medicinal and religious purposes.

In my view, it is Marijuana's continued legal status that encourages most of the negative elements around the drug. A more liberal approach to its regulation would also go a long way towards undermining black market trade in the long run.Naturally the nay-sayers will argue that any change in legal regulation of the drug would increase its use but there is nothing to prove that; on the contrary its criminalization has clearly done nothing to reduce it. Whereas this proposed approach would facilitate improved regulation of its use.

SPECIFIC VIEW
----------------

Marijuana & Religious Minority Rights
----------------------------------------

Makeda, subject to correction, is a practicing Rastafarian, therefore I put it to you that the law against marijuana infringes her right to freedom of Religion.

I dealt with this very issue as a small part of my Independent Research Paper for my Bachelors of Law. Under the rubric of: ‘Equality in the Caribbean: The Animal Farm Story’, the paper presented an exploration of Commonwealth Caribbean States’ failure to ensure equal protection of the law, particularly marginalized groups such as indigenous people, Rastafarians, homosexuals and the mentally ill- properly identified as minorities within mainstream society, thus undermining the Rule of Law. I hypothesised that the Rule of Law is often denied to those who fall into ‘non-majoritarian’ classifications resulting in an application of fundamental human rights where ‘all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ Just as it was in George Orwell’s famous satirical tale of Soviet Totalitarianism. It was and is my view that the prevailing legal regime is arguably an example of systematic abuse of logic and language to mask discrimination, such that, the concept of equality is treated as relative rather than absolute.

Religious liberty is, in a pluralistic society, an important part of political justice, with special primacy in Western constitutional thought. Nonetheless, one of the more controversial illustrations of inequality in our Caribbean societies, even without delving into the blatant discrimination in the workforce, courts and beyond, pertains to the use of the illegal substance marijuana by the Rastafarian faith and its human rights implications. Most international statements of principle, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), proclaim the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes the freedom of a person to change his religion and to manifest it in public or private, in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Furthermore, cannabis use predates its prohibition, evidence of which can be found throughout history and across various cultures, notably without the severe adverse social effects often used to justify its illegality. In fact, largely economic and political reasons such as the preservation of the paper, chemical and pharmaceutical industries and racism against immigrants of Mexican and African descent largely associated with the drug’s use have been cited as the underlying reasons for its illegal status in the most of the Western world. As such, prohibition of marijuana use is an illustration of discrimination in respect to the practice and manifestation of religion and therefore a violation of human rights without legitimate reason.

An interesting case on point, People of Guam v. Benny Toves Guerrero 2001 WL 34095018 (C.A.9)., emanates from the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. The respondent, whose religious name was Ras Makahna, was criminally prosecuted for his religious practices. The court held not only was Rastafarianism a legitimate religion entitled to protection under the Guam Organic Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act but that the use of Cannabis is an important and sacred practice for Rastafari, even if the practice is not mandatory as a matter of Rastafarian doctrine. Indeed, Guam’s Organic Act required that when a statute substantially burdens religious exercise, the government must demonstrate that it has a compelling interest, and that the statute represents the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. This standard is reflective of the DeFreitas test for legitimate limitation within our Constitutional legal system. Quite tellingly, the courts found that this standard was not met, in that, absolute prohibition was not the least restrictive means of furthering the interest. Moreover, it is submitted that, all things considered, the interest was not itself compelling to begin with. This is supported by the more recent case of Huang which sought to emphasise the need for critical analysis of the public interest aspect implicit in the DeFreitas criteria.

It is clearly indisputable that for Rastafari, cannabis use is sacramental, despite any mainstream view that it is detrimental. Furthermore, (quoting from the judgment in that case)

‘[i]t is not within the judicial ken to question the centrality of particular beliefs or practices to a faith, or the validity of particular litigants' interpretations of those creeds.’

Religious beliefs need not be acceptable, logical, consistent, or comprehensible to others in order to be entitled to protection, otherwise where would be the freedom? Unfortunately, this faith enjoys a level of recognition and protection in US Courts it does not in the Caribbean- its origins, where the Rastafarian daily reality is social discrimination and stereotyping compounded by unequal protection of the law.

Even in light of arguments that the UDHR is not legally binding and similar instruments are unincorporated into our domestic systems, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Boyce, has established that the right to protection of the law is special, in that, it is so ‘broad and pervasive’ it could not be encapsulated in a section. On the aforementioned grounds prohibition of the use of marijuana for religious purposes is a violation of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Even where we accept the dualist argument with respect to the rules that operate in domestic and international law, one may argue that under our constitutions, which grant similar rights, violations thereof also constitute constitutional breaches. Basically, even where the relevant international instrument is unincorporated, courts may still rely on the Constitutional provisions to identify and remedy violations.

In the expanding definition of human rights there appears to be room for this line of reasoning to be successful in a bold enough court. It is well-established that a right does not come into existence because it is recognised by a State, but rather is recognised by the State because it exists. Therefore the entitlement of the Rastafarian faith to the manifestation and practice of their religion, inclusive of marijuana use and even its cultivation for such use, ought to be recognised as a matter of fundamental human rights- the apex of legal entitlement. It follows then that marijuana’s illegality ought not to be used as a barrier to the achievement of equal protection of the law as our legal systems, being founded on clearly naturalist tenets, provide for the repeal of unjust laws as was the case with laws institutionalising slavery.

Implications
---------------
Clearly, the above arguments strike at the legitimacy of our legal system but it is simply not a matter of black and white. States have a responsibility to address the social, political, moral and economic values of society via public policy considerations. Therefore, objections to the proposed reforms may fairly include a basic floodgate argument to the effect that to allow small tears in the moral fibre of society would be to encourage further undesirable activities to eventually destroy it. Undeniably, overzealous application of any right, however noble, could have serious implications for the order of society and even infringe other rights, as previously mentioned.

The law’s purpose is to order society. Hence, as held by the court in Forsythe (unreported) 27 October 1997, S.C. Jamaica (No. M44 of 1997), an unhindered freedom of religion taken to its logical conclusion could mean human sacrifices as a religious practice would be unobjectionable- an untenable result.Clearly, the underlying consideration of most public policies is the ancient conflict of law and morality. Essentially, whether there is a public morality which cements society which ought to be preserved. Proponents such as Plato and Aristotle have provided respectable work suggesting that law is not merely to provide the opportunity to lead a morally good life, but to see that society does. Hart identifies that morality as the commonly held beliefs of the society- mainstream thought. Therefore in our regional context, for many States, the issue is whether the moral fibre of the society should be compromised for equality or simply if deviant desires of a minority should be allowed to dictate standards for a largely unreceptive society.

Fortunately, the Caribbean has already found the apparatus for the necessary balancing exercise in the aforementioned DeFreitas [1998] 3 WLR 675 test and therefore should critically assess any allegedly discriminatory law by that standard. Any law which fails to satisfy does not have a sufficiently compelling moral or public policy foundation and thereby is simply unjust and ought to be struck down.

The laws relating to Marijuana use are just that.

Human Rights In Perspective: HANG DEM!!

2010-09-04T05:41:00.001-07:00

I went out last night for drinks with a friend, came home and more or less went straight to bed. I woke up this morning around 4am (don't ask...I just did), rolled over and checked my Facebook (don't judge me) and in doing so I noticed a whole set of statuses that signaled to me something had happened...something tragic, fire was involved, death had been caused and people wanted retribution. Still not prepared to jump to conclusions I updated my status with a small plead:

Guide over us Holy Emmanuel I...

on which someone commented

"...what a tragedy we had last night though .... very very sad... tell me something do u believe in the death penalty ?"

This is when I went searching. Eventually I stumbled across the Nation Newspaper's Facebook Page posting which informed me of the stimulus for the sentiments.

Under the heading of: '6 DEAD - FIERY END TO ATTEMPTED CITY ROBBERY' I was informed that six people perished last night in a blaze that could go down as one of Barbados’ worst human tragedies. The fire, believed to have started by two men who robbed the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City, engulfed the two-storey building along the busy shopping street, trapping the hapless victims within the inferno. Among the victims was a toddler and the perpetrators apparently attacked the shop's supervisor with a cutlass before setting the place on fire.

[For full story: pick up your copy of the September 4th Saturday Sun and/or check the newspaper's website for more details on this tragic story:http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/6-dead-fiery-end-to-attempted-city-robbery/]

After reading the article and watching the accompanying raw clip of firemen fighting the blaze which threatened to extend to other buildings along Tudor Street, I understood. I OVERSTOOD why so many people mentioned the death penalty in the same breathe as their condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Indeed, Amanda Lynch-Foster summarised most of the sentiments expressed in the 100-odd other statuses I'd read thus:

is this what Barbados is becoming? No, no, no... we will find you and you must hang. This is what the death penalty is for and that's what we joined the CCJ for. My tax dollars will not go to feed, clothe and shelter these monsters. Know today that the whole of Barbados despises you but we will not live in fear of you and we will NOT protect you - not even within your communities and pseudo-mini 'garrisons'.

I share these sentiments.

HANG DEM!!!

And this is not an emotion-fueled declaration. In my last blog I spoke of the "habitual eclipsing of general human rights by the death penalty" while acknowledging that the debate on the death penalty as a human rights issue is not surprising considering that the punishment has implications for arguably the most important human right- the right to life. So believe me, I have thought on this long and hard for years now.

The death penalty has a very distinct position in our penal system and I STRONGLY believe that the death penalty should be retained and ACTUALLY USED in Barbados. However, I DO NOT think it should be automatically imposed, that is, on a mandatory basis. Punishments should fit crimes, therefore it is my position that the courts should have the room to decide whether an act that results in the death of someone actually DESERVES the death penalty or some other punishment.

Stated succinctly, the five objectives of punishment are:

1. RETRIBUTION - in recognition that punishment is intended to reflect the denouncement by the society and legislature of the offence and the offender.

2. DETERRENCE vis à vis potential offenders- the offender must be punished appropriately to deter other like-minded offenders from engaging in that form of deviant behaviour.

3. DETERRENCE vis à vis the particular offender- Here, the purpose is to seek to ensure that the offender himself is deterred from future criminal conduct by the punishment inflicted on him.

4. PREVENTION - This is aimed at preventing the particular offender from offending against the law by incarcerating him.

5. REHABILITATION The aim is to rehabilitate the offender so that he may reform his ways to become a contributing member of society.

These principles were laid down by Wooding C.J. in the case of Benjamin v. R 1964 7 WIR 459. Clearly, in some cases one objective may be predominant while in other cases, other objectives may prevail. Each case must depend on its own circumstances and various factors must be considered by the court in deciding which principle of sentencing should be predominant. Relevant factors include: the prevalence of the offence in society, the nature and circumstances of the offence, any previous convictions of the offender for like or other serious offences and whether the offender pleads guilty or shows remorse.

That said, where someone is sentenced to death he has a series of appeal opportunities. In fact, under section 92 of the Constitution of Barbados, there is an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy to determine if a condemned person should be granted mercy such that his execution is permanently stayed. Whereas the Barbados Juvenile Offenders Act Cap 138, section 14 prohibits the pronouncement of sentence of death on a person who was under 18 at the time he committed the capital offence. So the problem isn’t really the legislative framework as much as it is its execution (pardon the pun).

Illustratively, The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) found that Barbados violated Tyrone DaCosta Cadogan’s rights, guaranteed under Articles 4 (Right to life) and 8 (Right to fair trial) of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR), when it sentenced him to death by hanging, pursuant to a Barbadian statute that requires capital punishment for murder. DaCosta Cadogan v. Barbados, decided September 24, 2009, is the second time the tribunal denounced a Barbadian statute requiring the death penalty in murder cases.

Clearly international pressure leans towards the abolition of the death penalty, so much so that in a series of Privy Council decisions have the combined effect of ALMOST abolishing the penalty through the back door. Although the death penalty was technically preserved in Barbados in light of the CCJ Boyce v Joseph decision, the combined effect of the decisions in Pratt and Morgan v. Attorney General of Jamaica [1994] 2 A.C. 1 and Lewis make it very very difficulty to follow through because on the one hand to have someone awaiting executions 5+ years in considered cruel and inhumane while on the other hand they must be afforded the opportunity to appeal to their hearts content. Herein lies what has always been my problem with the Boyce decision, it did not (in my humble opinion) do enough to break the tangled web of the Privy Council's imposition of foreign stances on the region’s death penalty issues.

As Amanda suggested in her status, the CCJ has the power to give effect to the will of the Caribbean people, so that the death penalty may be used WHERE APPROPRIATE to reflect the outrage of society at the perpetration of certain heinous crimes and deter future crimes of a similar nature. This robbery turn inferno is one such heinous crime and retribution is both justifiable and legitimate.

I say all that to say that as tragic a situation as this is, perhaps it is a necessary evil to stimulate the powers that be to take a stance and recognize that the clear majority of the nation strongly supports the retention of the death penalty and takes serious issue with spending in the region of $69 BDS a day for the upkeep of persons convicted of the worst crimes at H.M.P Dodds.

Therefore, I can only hope that this tragedy would provide the impetus for long overdue reform of executive hypocrisy in which much is promised and little delivered to replace it with a purpose-driven decision making body with the welfare AND WILL of its people at the forefront of policy-making.

Further, I’d like to see complimentary reform of judicial action towards a more bold approach to guarantee appropriate application of law, through objective discernment of what compelling public policy considerations should be, within a Caribbean context. For this, the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction is critical, should its judges resist the allure of conservatism and opt instead for a more independent approach to solving regional legal issues such as that of the death penalty's future.

And while we're on topic, I'd like to see reform of legislative conservatism and bureaucracy as well! Perhaps then we would have a bold legislature that produces laws truly responsive to our indigenous conditions as opposed to slavish adherence to the archaic or mechanical adoption of the external.

Out of an abundance of caution, in closing I wish to emphasise that reform ought to be purpose-driven and not merely a synonym for the emotion-invoking word ‘change’ that has been used in recent years as a vehicle to excite masses rather than encapsulate transformation.

Human Rights most certainly have a place in our legal system as they protect the dignity of the individual however they ABSOLUTELY HAVE to be balanced against the interests of the collective lest anarchy ensue. Indeed, Human Rights are ideals which must function within a wider social and legal framework, so that the right to life, like all other rights, are not and cannot be absolute, especially considering that too much of one right often infringes another.

For a crime like the one perpetrated on Friday night...HANG DEM!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Below is the sketch of one of the suspects released by officials: SOURCE: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/sketch-of-suspect-released/

In a passionate appeal, police public relations officer Inspector David Welch last night urged all Barbadians to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He also urged members of the public who were in the vicinity of the area about 7 p.m. to assist the police with any information that could lead to the arrest of the two men.

Their descriptions are as follows:

Suspect one was wearing a blue or black peak cap, white T-shirt with horizontal green stripes, dark-coloured pants and a pair of black shoes. He is about five feet, four inches tall, of slim build and of dark complexion.

Suspect two is about five feet, six inches tall, of slim build, and of dark complexion, with a long face with a turned-up nose, and black Afro hairstyle.

According to police, the two men ran away from the scene towards adjoining Milk Market Street before turning left into nearby Watkins Alley, which leads to Mason Hall Street and Chapman Lane in The City.

Human Rights In Perspective: the journey has just begun

2010-08-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA) hosted its 25th anniversary conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 16th – 19th October 2008. The theme of the conference was “Justice at Home and Abroad” and one of the major programme streams was the Universality of Human Rights.

To coincide with the event, the CLA organised an essay competition for law students across the Caribbean. The first prize was attendance at the conference, including the opportunity to present the winning submission to the conference. The subject of the essay competition was: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the only significant statement of principle that has commanded worldwide respect”.

The following is my winning essay submitted Saturday 12th July, 2008. (I had just completed my 2nd year at UWI)

HUMAN RIGHTS IN PERSPECTIVE: the journey has just begun

Far beyond the theory in the textbooks and the legislative outcomes of varied convocations, human rights ought to translate into practical benefits so that the concept itself develops into a truly universal one informed by people rather than politics. Indeed, The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights is arguably the most significant statement of principle that has commanded worldwide respect, however to consider it the only one is to devalue the noteworthy strides that have subsequently been made on this noble journey, particularly by non-governmental institutions. Nonetheless, to have a clear perspective of not only where it is but where it can go, one must appreciate where it has come from.

The evolution of the human rights system may be traced to 17th and 18th century philosophers such as Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau from whom the ideals which formed the basis of several movements, including the Glorious Revolution and the abolition of slavery, were derived. With the recognition of international law, after World War I, came the development of humanitarian law and various treaties intended to protect certain minorities. After World War II, the international society became acutely cognizant of the need to protect all human beings resulting in ‘the creation’ of what are now embraced as fundamental human rights, through the United Nations (UN).

Apart from the Universal Declaration, many other international attempts at safeguarding human rights have been made including the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights (ICESR) as well as initiatives emanating from specific international blocs such as the European Union (EU) and Organization of American States (OAS) which is credited with having adopted the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man- the world’s first general human rights instrument. The common thread running through these and similar instruments may be identified as the recognition of the worth of the individual and certain conditions which are reasonably incidental to said worth.

Modern day human rights are generally placed in the sphere of natural law thought, being derived from higher authority such that this essential standard is viewed as an end in itself. Whereas from a positivist perspective, whereby law is examined as it is rather than as it ought to be, human rights may be considered a means to an end. Regardless of which school of thought one may be inclined to accept, human rights may be regarded as having been born of an increased sense of responsibility by the international community for the promotion and protection of each individual’s rights and freedoms such that they may not be infringed by collective interest.

In concrete terms, rights demarcate for each of us some moral space or zone of personal sovereignty within which we may pursue our life plans without fear of encroachment from others or from the state. However, there are those perhaps not so rare occasions where human rights are in conflict with each other. This may be seen in respect to the rights to liberty and equality, for example, where too much of one may very well infringe the other. As a result, States are expected to perform a balancing exercise thus giving some measure of weight to the argument that human rights are not universal but rather are contingent on other considerations.

Although the distinction between international and municipal law has never been quite as clear as theory would have it, it has become increasingly blurred as contemporary world politics has witnessed a dramatic upsurge in the question of human rights and their place in the state-system. Indeed one clear indication of the worldwide support given to the Universal Declaration is the fact that Constitutions throughout the world embody its general principles in what are known as their Bills of Rights. In fact, according to Ms Tracy Robinson, after 1948, 98% of the Constitutions of the world contained some form of protection of human rights.

Quite significantly, though not in itself a legally binding instrument,

‘the Universal Declaration...as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations...not only crystallizes the political thought of our times on these matters, but it has also influenced the thinking of legislators all over the world.’

Notably, it not only outlines fundamental human rights but also imposes on States corresponding duties; thus underscoring the fact that much of the substance of its text may fairly be considered to have attained the status of customary international law as established in Filartiga v. Pena-Irala. This obviously was the intention as assembled States were called upon to disseminate, display, read and expound its text, principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.

Despite the norm-creating effect of the Universal Declaration, political ideology invariably influenced the understanding and definition of human rights such that western democratic states, for example, tend to focus on civil and political rights whereas socialist States place emphasis on social and economic rights. Perhaps an important dimension of the tension between the various systems of the world lies in the fact that the reality facing some developing States is that subsistence and basic need are often a more immediate and pressing concerns than constitutional niceties and protective legal procedures. However, it is undeniable that the social and economic rights embodied in the Universal Declaration have failed to take root as firmly as their civil and political counterparts. This is evident from an examination of Caribbean Constitutions which tend to offer little to no explicit protection in those areas. This void is significant considering that the premise underlying all UN human rights texts is that the two groups of rights are of equal priority and are invariably interrelated and interdependent. Additionally, on occasion since the 1970’s, the Universal Declaration has been used as a platform for the development of third generation rights such as- collective rights, right to self-determination and rights to development- with the clear support of developing States but the increased skepticism of some western developed States. In this light, it is submitted that perhaps ideological distinctions and resultant differences in the understanding and interpretation of human rights make it difficult for statements of human rights principles to command true worldwide respect.

Based on these distinctions, some States and liberal scholars argue that there can be no fully universal concept of human rights. However this relativist approach to human rights arguably shifts the emphasis from the individual and the minimum standard due to him by virtue of being human to the state-centered perspective where human rights are contingent on the varying political, economic or cultural behaviors of States or groups of States. This, it is submitted, is a step back in the development of human rights because it stifles its progress by categorizing that which should not be so categorized into ‘western’, ‘socialist’, ‘developed’, ‘developing’ and other counterproductive labels. This approach denies the concept its true form or at the very least its intended form of universality, such that all peoples of the world can legitimately expect a particular standard of treatment.

Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, presents a laudable view when she comments that

‘…we should try to move away from the vocabulary and attitudes which shape the stereotyping of developed and developing country approaches to human rights issues. We are collective custodians of universal human rights standards, and any sense that we fall into camps of “accuser” and “accused” is absolutely corrosive of our joint purposes. The reality is that no group of countries has any grounds for complacency about its own human rights performance and no group of countries does itself justice by automatically slipping into the “victim” mode…’

This is of particular importance for the Commonwealth Caribbean, as respect for and observance of human rights have become a kind of litmus test to gauge the good governance and legitimacy of a government- a characteristic of paramount significance in a post-colonial context.

Arguably, there is a symbiotic relationship between municipal and international human rights systems which was explicitly illustrated in the landmark case of Minister of Home Affairs v. Fisher where Lord Wilberforce attributed the generous interpretation of the Constitutions to their international human rights law antecedents. This in itself pulls sharply into perspective the instrumental role the judiciary has in transforming broad international statements of principle, such as the Universal Declaration, into meaningful domestic rules. An examination of the role of the International Criminal Court adds even further weight to this line of reasoning as it acts as supranational enforcement mechanism to ensure that individual States do not violate human rights principles and obligations- a clear illustration of the developing universality of human rights.

It is quite clear that never in the history of the world has there been such unity of purpose in promoting the concept of human rights and basic freedoms. Even in the Commonwealth Caribbean, there is a tradition of vigorous advocacy for evolving human rights interpretation. However, criticisms of the region’s unhealthy preoccupation with the death penalty are to be given great credence. This habitual eclipsing of general human rights by the death penalty has the effect of absorbing and diverting much of the Caribbean’s legal time and energy that could otherwise be channeled into developing and evolving other important areas of human rights law.

The debate on the death penalty as a human rights issue is not surprising considering that the punishment has implications for arguably the most important human right- the right to life- as highlighted in the seminal Pratt and Morgan v. Attorney General of Jamaica. However, it is submitted that of equal or even more fundamental importance are and should be the conditions and circumstances which make the right to life desirable in its true sense, it being part and parcel of the totality of human rights. To further echo the words of The Honourable Godfrey P. Smith:

“Of what use are civil and political rights when our children die because there is no access to clean water? Of what use is international copyright protection if we cannot afford to buy textbooks for our children’s education? Of what use is respecting the right to life, because of new WTO rules, we cannot export our bananas to feed ourselves? These are the human rights realities of this region…If international trends in human rights law will ultimately reshape our judicial and legal landscape and the way we practice law, let us be actively involved in determining the nature and content of international human rights.”

This is where education of the masses, meaningful intellectual discourse on the real issues, the mobilization of all organs of the State and international community and bold activism on the part of Caribbean leaders, become essential. Decades after the first fruits of freedom were tasted, however ironically within the shores of Haiti, the time has now come for the region to stand up and be counted leaving behind the days of allowing others to make decisions which directly inform the quality of life for its people. It is incumbent on each internationally recognized State in the world, whether individually or on the platform of collective effort to see the human rights journey to its logical conclusion- justice for all.

Perhaps that justice will be contingent on States the world over discarding the counterproductive crutch that is their refusal to accept the universality of human rights on the basis of ideological differences. To quote Rosalind Higgins the desire for specific fundamental rights and freedoms,

“…are keenly felt by the African tribesman as by the European city dweller, by the inhabitant of a Latin American shanty-town as by the resident of a Manhattan apartment.”

Therefore it is submitted that human rights should be approached in this context, such that States become truly cognizant that real development in this area can only come from reform in the general context of international law. Therefore the best place to start may be with the UN, although characteristically for an organization of this kind, agreement on specifics is often difficult to obtain and if obtained, difficult to sustain.

Nonetheless, there are three general categories of reform proposals, which are of commendable value, namely: structural, financial and operational. Structurally, the UN should become more democratic, responsive and authoritative which involves reforming the General Assembly, the Security Council including the P5, the secretariat and the rationalization of the functions of the Economic and Social Council, particularly the specialized agencies. On the financial plane, it has proved necessary to make the UN solvent and less reliant on a handful of First World states, particularly the United States, in the name of impartiality and achievement of purpose. Operationally, the UN’s role should be redefined particularly in respect to communal conflicts, to expand its competence in complex emergencies, global governance, humanitarian intervention and the global protection of human rights and the environment. These reforms would chart a much needed, more purpose-driven course for human rights internationally.

In the region, CARICOM, the Caribbean Court of Justice, individual governments and their oppositions, the educational institutions and the people themselves all have roles to play in what should be viewed as an ongoing human rights struggle. Basically, the time has come for human rights, the concept, to truly reflect its significance by translating into functional reality that has a positive impact on human day to day existence. This meaningful application must be accepted universally as encompassing not only the right to life, liberty and freedom from torture but also the practical benefits of proper education, sustainable jobs, suitable places to live, food on the table and other such conditions which inform the quality of life.

To whom much is given much is expected such that with the immense power entrusted to the UN and other similarly oriented organizations comes monumental responsibility especially in respect to human rights. As such, it is humbly submitted that while significant, globally-respected statements of principle like the Universal Declaration are admirable, the focus should instead shift from paperwork to provinces, from letters to lives such that the human rights movement develops a pulse of the people in a more practical sense. In like vein, the Commonwealth Caribbean community, being born and raised in a human rights struggle, ought to take a progressive if not revolutionary stance thus ascending to its apt place in the international arena to facilitate a sustainable guarantee to each of its citizens of justice at home and abroad.

*****************************************************************************

The above was also published in the UWI 2009 Student Law Review.

Note also, parts of this essay have been used in subsequent academic work I have produced.

Musings of a Lunatic...on Facebook

2010-08-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Call me crazy but I love Facebook.

I love Facebook not because it offers me a pane-less look into the not-so-private but oh-so-personal lives of 1,357+ 'friends' I've somehow acquired, but because its such an enlightening microcosm of real life. Inside this black hole of productive hours, ill-advised statuses and all-too-telling photographs also lurks illustrations of what is right AND wrong with society.

I really try to refrain from having preachy statuses or ones that say:

"Hey friends, foes, peeps and plactics, come take a look at my latest disappointment. You're welcome to discuss my relationships, fashion sense, political persuasion and weight..."

It fact, my statuses are often lines from songs.

I LOVE MUSIC! It's something I'm very passionate about (which is kinda funny because the only thing I'm good at when it comes to it is listening) LMAO, your girl can't sing, dance, play an instrument...

ANYWAY!!! I love music, so any song that moves me can and probably will make it to the status but even those are read into...

If I had a dollar for every message one of my statuses motivated, your girl would be BALLIN'! That said, I have on the odd occasion stood on my Facebook sponsored soapbox (don't worry blog- it got nothing on you *hug*) to share my views on a few things, some of which I now post here for posterity.

09 August [2010] at 06:34 via Facebook for Blackberry

...watched THE most disturbing episode of Law & Order last night. Several children died from diseases contracted because their immune systems were so badly damaged from untreated HIV/AIDS. Why? Denial. Ignorance. Fear. Propaganda. It reminded me just how far we still have to go... Do you practice safe sex? Have you ever been tested? Do you know your current status? or that of your partner? His/her partner(s)...

10 August [2010] at 20:53

...tired of this 'Crabs In A Barrel' mentality in both personal and (supposedly) professional spheres. If you are marketing yourself, website, party, whatever it is most unnecessary to criticise others in the process. You really CAN push yourself/product/service WITHOUT attacking the competition. Most times you spend so much time, energy and sometimes even money on the other guy you never realise YOUR true potential.

Furthermore, real quality speaks for itself and what is for a man, HE GETS. Something to consider... BLESS

12 August [2010] at 20:53

...someone who's more turned on my my mind than my body... after-dark barefoot walks on the beach... hand-written notes... just-because inexpensive tokens of affection... full body massages after hard days... kisses on my forehead... a reason to smile... hugs that feel like he's afraid to let go.

*sigh* a girl can dream, can't she??

________________

goes both ways tho :D

My dream includes me cooking... giving back rubs... supporting big dreams... cutting disappointments down to size... letting his spirit breathe like I know he will mine. I'm looking to compliment my Mr. not complete him... and for him to aim for the same.

Is that too much to ask??

13 August [2010] at 9:24

Am I the only one who is tired of walking into a room where everyone looks, acts, thinks and speaks the same??? I don't mean to offend the "divas" and "bosses" among us but I'm simply not impressed by what some people are calling "swag". The reality is that your labels may be authentic, but that doesn't make YOU real...... so underneath your impersonations of your favourite models, artists or musicians, what's left??

I long for a paradigm shift where being an individual becomes as revered as being part of the "in crowd" now is.

21 August [2010] at 11:28

JAH know, the tongue is a powerful thing, far less the mind... so often we speak things into our lives and do not even realise! To conceive is to create; to speak is to set in motion. Be positive in your outlooks and interactions then just wait for good things to happen. BE BLESSED :)

Twas The Night...

2010-08-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

'Twas the night before Kadooment,
And all through Bridgetown;
Only Calypso was playing,
So I'm preppin' to 'Go Dung'!!

************************************************

DISCLAIMER: The above rhyme is used primarily to draw and analogy between the night before Kadooment day and Christmas Eve. It is in no way intended to constitute a prediction of the Road March Winner for Crop Over 2010.

Indeed, my friends and I will wuk up to ANYTHING.

That is all :D

************************************************

PREP!!

[behind the scenes of 'Crop Over 2010- too EPIC for TV: season 1']

Say what you want!! Super Style Shoe Shop never fail me yet!! All when I've given up hope on finding that specific shoe for the random outting, when I lag and have run out of options as well as time, when the boutiques and online shopping fall short...good old Super Style. BOOTS BABY!!

BOOM!!

My girls Michelle and Keba had to hook me up...naturally.

If I ever become famous...I'm taking them with me!!

Ok, having just woke up from my ISLAND FUSION daze, it occurred to me that I didn't have an appointment for the big day!! God bless Kamilah Codrington for not telling me to carry my ass when I BEGGED her last minute to do my Kadooment Day make up.

Girl I am sooooooooooo dancing at your wedding!

This being a year to try new things(hehehe)*eehemmm* I'm giving lashes a try. It's not really my style but what better time to be a little adventurous than CROP OVER?! Shout outs to Krissy for staying on the phone to talk me through the purchase.

Who knew they'd be so much variety in fake eyelashes :S

Will update tomorrow.

Or more realistically...Tuesday ;)

This has been Sasha from 'Crop Over 2010- too EPIC for TV: season 1' and that's it for tonight folks.

Back to you Bill...

PART 2
************************************************

WELL!! I guess Wednesday was even more realistic...

That's me!! Dressed and ready to go...
Doddy working mannnnnnnn :D

Here's my Crop Over Fairy God-Sistren hooking me up!!

Bless her soul!!

How did it all come together?? Well, you tell me...

ISLAND FUSION Foreday Morning (J'ouvert) Jump 2010

2010-08-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

I guess ISLAND FUSION had a whoooole lot to say at their debut! [31.07.2010]

One Mas. One Carnival. One Love.

ISLAND FUSION

Sade N. Jemmott just is.

2010-07-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

I dance to the beat of my own drums.

So no. I won't be who you want, but I can be who you need.
I can't promise you my heart; but I can show you my soul.
I'm not afraid to say what I want. It's getting it that scares me.

I don't care to be understood.

So no. I won't suppress my impulses. I'm not seeking approval.
My idea of perfection has a few cracks in it,
Each one making it more real...making it more mine.

I love with my whole heart.

So yes. Sometimes my emotions are too much for this vessel.
But when I say I LOVE YOU, it doesn't matter if you love me back.
How I feel isn't dependent on how you feel; it's based on who you are.

I walk on a journey of self.

And yes. Each love lost taught me a lot but all took a little,
Yet I'm better for it today and tomorrow I'll be even better.
But I'm still searching...not for love but for life.

I dance to the beat of my own drums.

So no. I won't be who you want, but I can be who you need.
I can't promise you my heart; but I can show you my soul.
I'm not afraid to say what I want, it's getting it that scares me.

It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To

2010-07-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

Tweeted on Twitter last night:

ShazGem can't be superwoman today, gonna just cry it all out. I'm not weak, just weary.

I tried but the tears never came.

Facebook Status going into my birthday:

Sade N. Jemmott is giving thanks, now more than ever.

For life and love and even my losses...but especially for my family and friends. I love you. From the bottom of my heart I love each and everyone of you- for who you are and who I am with and because of you. Yahweh, you continue to bless me with more than I deserve, I am eternally grateful. Selah

.......................................................................

To Mom & Dad with love,

...seems to get harder every year.

........................................................................

First Smile of the Day:

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter
Magic Happens

Loved this!

But it was privately sent; not to be seen- that part of the message was received as well.

.......................................................................

Favourite Birthday Greeting:

Jah Conscious |> Sade N. Jemmott:
SADEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my sexy lawyer sistren........i always appreciative of ur presence upon de earth.......from ur beauty to ur intellect to ur taste in music.......tuh how u carry yourself........tuh how u move wid other people it's clear jah bless......and still i ask fuh ya tuh be bless ya ...nuff more.......so i pray u have a bless earthstrong......and that everyday is more blessed after......tell ya parents i say good job too lolz

jah bless and guide
peace, prosperity, love and music (in any order lol)
more life

This was just one of so many messages that touched my heart and confirmed that I'm heading in the right direction in terms of self-development and spiritual growth, I pray Yahweh keeps guiding my steps.

.......................................................................

Not many gifts but the present and life from above,
Still I cherish each moment and give thanks in love.

Facebook Status coming out of my birthday:

Sade N. Jemmott felt so much love yesterday it made me cry, laugh and think... words are soooo powerful, use them with care- they can build or break down.

As always I'll respond to each person who took the time to send a greeting my way, but know that you'll never truly understand just how much I appreciated the sentiments. ♥ Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am blessed :)

LESSON: Perspective is everything. Count your blessings, even when things don't add up.

Man Was Not Made For Monogamy

2010-07-09T12:31:00.001-07:00

I know anyone who has ever had a conversation with me about life and love probably read this blog title and thought, “what the fuck Sade! What have you been smoking and who’s the dealer!! This is soooo not you.”

:) Sorry to disappoint but NO, I’m NOT stoned out of my mind...I'm just throwing some things out there for you to think about and offer your view.

How many times have you heard the truism (deliberate choice of word) that “ALL MEN CHEAT” or better yet, the popular retort, “WAIT!! WOMEN AIN’T NO GOOD NEIDA”?

Hold that thought.

A couple years back someone said to me, “Man wasn’t made for monogamy. It’s a social construct contrary to our innate desires.” Curiously naive, I responded with all the Disney indoctrinated concepts of “true love”, “finding your soulmate” and “being meant for each other.”

DISNEY DOGMA
Older, colder, I turn these concepts over in my minds and see how truly unlikely they all are. True love? How can something which by its very nature is built on giving deliberately crafted impressions and is preserved largely by half-truths and omissions to protect those on the receiving end of this affection, possibly be characterised as true. Further, love being such a subjective and evolutionary concept, is it really possible to measure its authenticity? I mean who feels it, knows it. And the reality is that loves that burn ever so deep one day, years later often pale in comparison to the love now possessed. Many would say: "I never knew love like this before”, but tell that to the you that cried all night for that now almost inconsequential love. I put it to you that much like the human mind can remember the EXISTENCE of pain but not its actual feeling, so too does it record past loves.

As to soulmates, one’s soul is really a spiritual manifestation of self. You change every day, who you are today will not be who you are in 4 years time- life, losses, trials, triumphs, society, successes – they all mold you...inclusive of your spiritual self. No two journeys could ever have the same or even mutually complimentary twists and turns and REMAIN that way. In essence, your soulmate at 25 is destined to become no more than your comfortably indispensible lover at 45 (best case scenario). Unless of course you find a way to fall in love over and over again with the new yous...

Now my personal favourite “meant for each other” – this is premised on the crux of the issue: that man was made for monogamy and somewhere, somehow, each person is destined for another and should they be so blessed as to find each other, they would and could live happily ever after. All I said on soulmates bears repeating here.

BIOLOGICAL BASIS
Biologists have long understood that monogamy is rare. Of about 4,000 mammalian species, only a handful have ever been called monogamous (many of which erroneously so, research reveals). That said, I googled around this topic(God bless Google) and found an interesting article by David P. Barash, a professor of psychology at the University of Washington entitled ‘DEFLATING THE MYTH OF MONOGAMY’ [source:http://www.trinity.edu/rnadeau/fys/barash%20on%20monogamy.htm]. The article more or less discussed just how few creatures are actually monogamous, least of which being mammals and those who were or rather appeared to be, did so for reasons which included being well provided for by their mate and having offspring with particular traits they considered attractive. (I laughed a little at this.)

REALITY CHECK
So being both spiritually and biologically predisposed to multiple experiences of the highly subjective concept of love, man was not made for monogamy. It’s a social construct contrary to our innate desires.

A man once told me something to the effect that: if he loves multiple women, for his various reasons, and treats them all well and ensured none felt disrespected, they shouldn’t concern themselves with each other. In his mind, the existence or absence of one had no bearing on his relationship with the other. He then went on to comment on the fact the demand of exclusivity was more about possession than love- ‘my man’, ‘my woman’ – and the desire to possess walked hand in hand with pride. Pride is stronger than love, so a woman would walk away from the man she wanted because she was too proud to share him.

Taking a similar position, a young lady said to me just this morning that she is a firm believer in “what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her”. As long as her man isn’t disrespectful with his infidelity, practices safe sex and fulfils his obligations to her, why should she fight a losing battle? What more could she ask for than what he would be giving? “I’m not insecure about myself or how he feels about me so as long as he always makes me feel that way, I would have no need to feel jealous or to compare myself to anyone else in his life. I think people would all be happier in open relationships.” Presumably, less effort would be put into deception and pretensions and more into loving and living.

CONCLUSION
Even as I start this sentence I don’t have a real conclusion. Truth is, I think love, pride, jealousy, possessiveness and yes infidelity are inextricably linked. I mean, everyone at some point in time has cheated, whether in thought, word or deed. No partner is EVERYTHING you need, how, when and as long as you need it, so we turn to others, whether it be for a listening ear, a good laugh or better sex. However, western social constructs say the right way to do it is for man to marry woman and be committed to each other until death do you part. With this in mind, those of us who conform to this ideal, do so by suppressing lustful desires and emotional cravings for what may not necessarily be more but certainly is different. (Consider the 80-20 rule). We deny ourselves the opportunity to satisfy impulses that are apparently quite natural because we are taught we ought to.

That said, perhaps the reason “ALL MEN CHEAT” or “WOMEN AIN’T NO GOOD NEIDA” is because they were meant to be. Arguably, with changing needs and countless desires, no one person could ever completely satisfy or be completely satisfied by another.

For Him

2010-06-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

She felt herself being watched.

Half too modest, half too scared, Makeda did not dare turn around lest her eyes meet his and her heavy breathing betray the erratic beat of her heart.

"Why won't he just stop!" she thought. "Maybe I'm imagining things. He isn't staring at me. I will just look around, the awkward moment will pass and life will go on."

That she did.

But Makeda had prepared herself for any eyes but those. Eyes so dark yet inviting, so angry but scared. Undeniably a rebel, but one still searching for his cause. His eyes said he had seen more than he cared to remember, endured more than a spirit should take. In that one moment, that solitary moment where his energy met hers, it felt like her soul crossed paths with an old friend. Makeda saw herself in those eyes, only happier.

But she blinked and that was all it took.

He took the intense heat of his stare away from her and gave it to another. Taller, slimmer, browner. Makeda hated herself for feeling cold. But those eyes...that particular brown. That shade of brown that would haunt every painting she painted since. That matched exactly the Nigerian wooden necklace she never removed.

She touched it now...

And that's when he touched her. Startled to say the least, Makeda turned around to look directly into those eyes she had only seen from far. Far deeper than she imagined, and nestled in a face misleadingly youthful and framed by a crown of dreadlocks giving off the aroma of fresh spring water, just-smoked ganja and Africa Musk oil. Struggling to find the words to address him....he smiled. Ever talkative, words failed her now.

So she smiled...

A second of interaction that felt like a lifetime, was broken when he wrinkled up his perfectly selected nose, turned his head ever so slightly to the left and said, "Sheba?"

Finally finding her voice, even as something inside her shattered, she shook her head and found it within her to tell him he had the wrong woman. He apologised, complimented her work, turned and walked away. Leaving behind him that combination of smells that etched itself into her psyche and the sensation on her arm where he had first touched her. Embarrassed by her reaction but inspired by it all Makeda discarded what she was working on and mounted a clean canvas, fresh theme in mind.

For him...her unsuspecting muse.

Body Works

2010-06-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yup! That's me! Seems like a lifetime ago I looked like that. Think I was around 16 and 125lbs. So yes I have always been thick...

LOL, when I think back to that day I was soooooo self-conscious (notice how I'm in a one-piece, bikinis were a NO!). I never even wanted to take this pic with my then best friend, in part because I'd been told for years (especially by family) how fat I was and how big I was getting. So much so that when I actually did gain weight, I brushed it off as "I was always fat" thus efforts at weight loss were always half-hearted and short-lived.

BIG MISTAKE!

Not being nonchalant about my weight but rather my biggest mistake was letting other people, no matter how important to me, dictate how I felt about me. I never felt comfortable in shorts, thought twice about skirts. Funny enough, I was my most self-conscious at the point in my life where, relatively speaking, I looked my best.

Ain't that a bitch...

Anyways, this blog isn't about wallowing in self pity or regrets. It's about motivation and keeping a record of my journey- not to the concept of anyone else's idea of physically attractive but to mine.

That 5 year old pic is my target.

And this is my blog, my electronic diary so to speak- public yet personal so I'll admit up front I'm not posting a pic of me now. Maybe after I've had some progress I'd THINK about posting the before and after...

For now its, me and my personal trainer, a high protein-low carb diet and 4-5 days a week of training.

WISH ME LUCK!!

June 7th, 2010- Tweet on Twitter 12:36pm :

"Just passed donuts. My heart broke a lil...this low carb bullshit is painful"

June 14th, 2010: Doddy FINALLY took my measurements to complete my body assessment and decided to weigh me again. GUESS WHAT??

Dropped 3lbs!!!
Baby steps people, baby step :)

June 22nd, 2010: Added FUSION FITNESS to my work out regime.

PRESSURE BOII!!!

June 24th, 2010: Doddy sent me my 4 week diet today, virtually NO CARBS! This shit is just BORING, DRAB food, but he says the closer I stick to it the sooner I can progress to a more liberal diet.

Pray for me!!

June 29th, 2010: I never knew how weak my will was until now :(

Big up my support team Shauns, Rissa & Krissy who scream, cuss and pressure me into thugging it out.

July 1st, 2010: Ordered my herbal supplement, doanno when I'll get them :S

July 2nd, 2010: Doddy made my day!!

I realised today that I do all my sets fully now, I couldn't before. So my fitness level is most definitely up, my legs and arms are much stronger and my breathing has improved :)

ICING ON THE CAKE: Doddy said today, "I can see that you've lost weight, it's visible now." ***doing mental wuk-ups*** :D

July 5th, 2010: Got my supplement today, popped the 1st one after lunch...but then I did a very very bad thing :(

Damn, this cheesecake is sinfully delicious!

July 10-18th 2010: B'day celebrations OUT TA ALL :D

so to be honest the diet got relaxed and I drank everything from champagne to coffee patron to whiskey (sometimes all of the above) AKA waaaaaayyy too many empty calories.

July 19th, 2010: Got one too many "You looking smaller" comments today so I insisted that we do an early assessment...

I seem to have lost at least 2 inches on my waist, 1.5 inches on my bust, an inch on my hips and thighs and weight loss appears to be up to 12 lbs.

Whoop! Whoop! :D

WOW!! I haven't updated this in a while...

But they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes:
2nd August, 2010

Not quite there but progress still ;)
Thx Doddy!!

August 21st, 2010: lıll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llılı FAB FRIDAYS: It's Ladies Night!!!

♫♪...A dime!
That's top of the line,
Cute face, lil waist with a big behind! ♫♪

LOL :)

Back in Trinidad now on operation C-Bod! Confused? See Catya BGC Season 5

Doddy bbms me my program so I've been hitting the gym hard!

Weights & spin. Weights & Spin! WEIGHTS & SPIN!! :D

Been rekindling old flames with weight training...

My gym here (LA JOYA) doesn't have a bad set up at all :)

As for food...

NO DEPRIVATION HERE!!!

20.Oct.2010:
Yeh tho, it even more serious now.
CAR-NI-VAL "\(*^*)/"

1st November 2010
Tweet: "Soooooooooo burn! Gym was so much harder cuz I took a break. Never again! I gained 3.5lbs in those few weeks :( "

I Know A Place

2010-03-01T01:21:00.000-08:00

I want to change the world,
Every day I wake up with a burning desire,
That’s why right now, I’m burning my fire
Cause if I can’t fix it,
Might as well lift it
Up to my mind’s eye and see it for what it is
Shit.
A who’s who game of Blue’s clues
I chose to lose
Myself in the smoke.
And mirrors, illusions deeper than reality
But on my level,
I meet me.
Madly. Truly. Deeply.
Reach a place where I be,
Unrestricted yet afflicted,
By a high gone to soon.
Might as well just lie here.
If I had stayed still,
the sand would’ve too.
Instead it came down.
Took some time to build
But now it’s gone.
Like the wind...
Blowing it away,
When all I want to say is...

Please stay.

MY JOURNEY: "Yuh hair is yuh beauty chile"

2009-12-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

- My grandmother said that to me often growing up.

That quaint little phrase in the thick Bajan accent of a born and raised country girl from St. Andrew usually came as part of some scolding about what I'd chosen to do with it that time.

God, I love my Gran-Gran!

She taught me so much about life and people...more than I think she even realised. Little things that were taught to her... little things I almost never noticed, like when she only seemed to like my hair the straighter and longer I wore it...

I remember starting out with bubbles and bows. Then my ohh so exciting graduation to ruffles (LMAO). Cornrows every Sunday evening, then puffs, fuzzes, braids, weave, an afro with headbands...wore it long, did it short- relaxed, texterised then relaxed again. Colours!!

I tried it all...except what I really wanted to: LOCKS. I remember Granny saying "Not in hey!!"

LOL!! (Did I mention how much I love this woman??) WELL, that certainly was the end of that issue. Or was it?

I heard all the reasons from everyone who cared to comment on why I shouldn't: the discimination, the limitation on style, the 'unkept' look it created, the wrong impressions it gave, how unbecoming it was for a professional- a lawyer at that *GASP*

And those who loved the idea: how natural is always best, bun out the chemicals, how beautiful I would look as a daughta (hehehe).

So there I was bombarded by opinions (some solicited, most not) that actually influenced me...that is until I started to find me (around my final year at UWI).

Dont understand?

Consider for a moment India Arie's 'I Am Not My Hair' verse 2:

Good hair means curls and waves,
Bad hair means you look like a slave.
At the turn of the century,
Its time for us to redefine who we be.
You can shave it off
Like a South African beauty.
Or get it on lock
Like Bob Marley.
You can rock it straight
Like Oprah Winfrey.
If its not what's on your head
Its what's underneath...

Eventually Granny and the rest of the fam appeared to have comforted themselves that dreads on my head wouldn't automatically make me a hardened criminal or instant social outcast...LOL, society hear??!!

But I digress right???

Because this blog was supposed to be about my hair...not the illusion of emanicipation or colonial residue or indoctrinated self-hate or even warped restricted definitions of beauty... right???

Sooooooo snip snip...AGAIN!

August 12th at St. Stephen's summer camp with Toni to talk to them about HIV/AIDS and BoUiK's 'Wear the Issue'.

By September 1st 2009 I started my locks. This was a huge year for me in terms of development as an individual, Jah knows.

Even graduated :) October 24th, 2009- Sade N. Jemmott LLB (Hons.)

BUTTTTT I wanted them to be bigger, so your girl combed it out after about 3 months...

Just for a minute though, back in full effect December 7th, 2009!

Feb 28th 2010- starting to get the hang of doing my do :)

Coming along nicely I suppose...2 days short of 8 months :)

After this, I replaced the braid with wool. Just a little while longer, not quite ready just yet...

By November 19th, 2010 I my spirit knew it was time.

Still a little curly from the pin-up but you get the point :)

11 months of self discovery, now onto stage 2 of my locks journey!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last day of 2010 and its time to add a little more colour to my life :)

First a little bleaching agent...

Then selected my first lock gem - I chose a red, gold and green heart - ONE LOVE! :)

Added some colour... Intense Red to be exact!

And boom bang - new look for 2011

I've been on this journey now one year, 24 days and counting...

TO BE CONTINUED...

CARICOM in a Globalising World- My 2 cents

2009-11-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

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DEFINING TODAY’S WORLD- Globalisation in Perspective

What relevant elements distinguish the contemporary era from previous reality? In Fareed Zakaria’s latest book, The Post-American World, he explores “the three tectonic power shifts over the last five hundred years, fundamental changes in distribution of power that have reshaped international life- its politics, economics and culture”. These being the 15th century rise of the western world, followed by 19th century rise of the United States of America as a global hegemon and now the “rise of the rest”. This current power shift is arguably as a result of a more integrated and interdependent world economy which no single state or organisation can truly control or navigate alone. In like vein, in her book, The Death of Distance, Frances Cairncross predicts that the death of distance will be the single most important economic force shaping all of society over the next half century.

Therefore, globalisation may be described as the process whereby many social relations become relatively de-linked from territorial geography so that human lives are increasingly played out in the world as a single place- Martin Albrow’s ‘Single World Society’. This intensification of worldwide social relations has brought with it liberalisation, that is, steady progression to a borderless world economy through the removal of barriers to the movement of goods and capital between countries and internationalisation characterised by increased interdependence amongst countries.

Consequently, if it is accepted that in some ways the process of globalisation erodes sovereignty then regionalism presents itself as the logical response by offering some measure of preservation and a buffer between the state and the process. Indeed, as Wendy Grenade puts it: “[a]s the forces of globalisation continue to reconfigure the global landscape, sovereign states are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with common problems alone. Hence, regional arrangements are multiplying across the international system.”

Additionally, what is distinct about this current era is the growing recognition that it ought to be remembered that sixty percent of the world’s territories have less than ten million people. And perhaps more importantly, seven of the largest states in terms of population – China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria – are developing states that are highly relevant to northern interests; chief among which is the realist focal point of security.

THE CARIBBEAN RESPONSE

To quote Camillo Gonsalves, Permanent Representative of St Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations:

[W]e live in a fundamentally different and rapidly changing world; and we in the Caribbean are no longer cockroaches in a global fowl fight. We are, and can be, savvy practitioners of foreign policy and the instruments of our sovereignty [can be used] as tools for our development and our ennoblement.

This underscores the point that in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, state policy simply cannot be shaped by colonialist and neo-colonialist interests but rather must be approached by reasoned indigenous responses to international events. Such is the thinking driving the region’s ‘integrationalist’ administrations both in and out of power such as the Manning led government of Trinidad and Tobago and Dr Kenny Anthony’s opposition party of St Lucia. But what of the thinking of the people? Alas, a truly ‘integrationalist’ people of the region seems yet afar off.

Nonetheless, today's post-unipolar world recognizes the emergence of other nations, powers, and non-state actors such as non-governmental organisations and the wider transnational civil society, with whom States can partner to more capably address our external environment in the interest of our people's own development. This avenue is currently aggressively pursued by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for example, who has thereby secured significant tertiary educational opportunities and infrastructural development such as the construction of the Argyle International Airport. This mode of international relations is akin to Barbados’s Late Prime Minister Errol Barrow’s “friends of all, satellites of none” approach which translated into shrewd developmental decisions for which Barbados is better today.

Therefore it seems that some Caribbean states have embraced the concept of fluid use of sovereignty more so than others. However, our ‘smallness’ dictates that the longer we take to grasp this as a region the worse off we will be. Thucydides said: “The strong do what they have the power to do and the weak will accept what they must accept”- that is both realism and reality. Therefore, as globalisation spreads, demanding changes in approach and thinking, so too must the understanding of the concept of sovereignty evolve.

Recently, the Caribbean has become more than a ‘sphere to be influenced’ or ‘a backyard’ to be owned and has instead sought to carve its place internationally. Arguably, these strides would not have been possible without the collective bargaining strength our regional grouping provides. But as Ronald Saunders highlights in his article ‘Overcoming Smallness’:

[T]he greatest challenge for CARICOM countries is overcoming smallness. This observation applies as much to Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago with their respective populations of 2.8 million and 1.04 million as it does to St Kitts-Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda with populations of 50,000 and 80,000...“Smallness” is not just a matter of physical size, it is also psychological. There are countries in the world whose physical size is much smaller than many Caribbean countries, yet they are more prosperous economically....The psychological impact of smallness shows itself in two ways in most Caribbean Community countries.

1. Fear of each other

2. Self- perception in relation to larger countries

Thus CARICOM states’ failure to grasp how individual sovereignty is compatible with regional identity impedes the efficacy of the grouping in the international sphere. This is both the biggest threat to surviving the adversities of globalisation as well as the biggest impediment to regional reaping of the benefits it may hold. If the stronger States that comprise the EU can see this, why can't we?

CONCLUSION
As Henry Kissinger rightly put it, the bargaining position of a country depends on the options it is perceived to have, therefore our ‘give a little to gain a lot’ approach to sovereignty ensures that the region has options. And as has been established, the ability to choose is the ultimate manifestation of sovereignty. Hence, whether it is sovereignty itself that has changed or simply the world applying, it is undeniable that there is a need to revisit the concept’s traditional definition in favour of one more relevant. In fact by embracing the fluid nature of sovereignty we overcome many of the obstacles to international relations, which have for far too long been plagued by the seeming incompatibility between sovereignty of State, regionalism and globalisation.

Essentially the way forward is to respond to the evolution of sovereignty and the world instead of simply reacting to it. A paradigm shift in approach is essential, in that, comprehending the potential of sovereignty is perhaps more indispensable in a globalising world than comprehending the concept specifically.

That said, the attitudes towards integration of the individual member States of CARICOM need to change or be changed. The world will not wait, the time is now.

ONE LOVE.