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The event had been promoted for weeks beforehand and the buzz was gently building, the lineup contained the cream of roots cultural music, both veterans in the form of Anthony B and relatively newer artists like Perfect Giddimani.

Staged at the cavernous Amazura in Queens on Saturday February 22, 2023, the show was a resounding success! Patrons came out in droves and the venue – which is normally only filled to capacity for big time promoters – showed that concertgoers were starved of the type of music on offer and the selection of artists billed to appear. From the opening performance by Perfect Giddimani, the stage was set for what would turn out to be a memorable evening. Artists like Turbulence, Pressure Buss Pipe and the Grammy Award winning Kabaka Pyramid all brought their A-game to what would turn out to be an A-listed event. Special mention must be made of the band – Genna Roots who backed all the artists without missing a beat. Kudos to them performing for five solid hours with no hitch.

With a start time that was adhered to, leaving quite a few patrons bereft of seeing the opening acts, this fact alone set the tone for the tight ship that Antony B captained. The sense of unity from the artists performing on stage, transferred to the watching crowd – it was just a lovefest of celebrating what it means to be Black and Proud. The stage management was exemplary with no long drawn out pauses between performances, which also contributed to the building excitement as each artist was announced in a timely fashion.

Sound system entertainment was provided by the popular Bobby Konders – Massive B with the ubiquitous Jabba and Mountain Lion Sound, while DJ Chris the Dubb Master acted as MC. Black and Proud was presented by Anthony B’s Born Fire Promotions and Marlon Folkes’ Reggae Vibes Promotions. Genie Sweetness and her team provided excellent production management – her efficient and calm demeanor inspired front of house and backstage participants to follow her lead. Culinary treats were provided by 13 Spice with vibrant color presentations matching the pleasurable taste and flavor of primarily vegan dishes.

Pressure Buss Pipe turned up the heat even higher than anticipated with his special mastery of the stage and delivery of his songs. Headliner and co-promoter Anthony B implored all in attendance to live in love, which he brought to the forefront by giving up his stage time to bring on Kabaka Pyramid. All in all this was the perfect way to spend a cold Saturday evening in NYC. The only criticism from this writer was the lack of female energy on stage. Perhaps Born Fire Promotions and Reggae Vibes Promotions will cast their net a little wider for the next staging of Black & Proud so that we can all feel Black and Proud. The New York show was the fourth and largest in a series of Black and Proud presentations in St. Louis, Michigan; Little Rock, Arkansas and Oakland, California.

Photo – Anthony B 

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Jamaican music artist, Agent Sasco, a.k.a. Assassin, was honored on March 6, 2023 by the Harvard University Caribbean Club with its Entertainer of the Year Award. The recognition came during the Sixth Annual Jubilee Many Nations: One Family – Celebrating Our People, Progress, and Prosperity.

“I am honored and grateful,” said Assassin in a social media post.

A statement issued by the group said, “The Caribbean is colorful and diverse – our values and expressions through language, food, art, and customs reflect a multiplicity of identities. As we chart a new path preserving sovereignty and self-determination, Caribbeans remain one family united in spirit, identity, and destiny.”

The Jubilee featured Agent Sasco as the guest of honor, a sit-down dinner with food from across the Caribbean, cultural displays and live performances. A charity raffle was held to benefit the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix.

Jamaican singer and dancehall DJ, Agent Sasco, is well-known for his lyrics that are quick-witted and sharply delivered. Born in Kintyre, Jamaica, he was just a teen when one of his songs was recorded by Spragga Benz in the 1990s. He began DJing on the side while pursuing a degree in business management.

Agent Sasco’s prolific career began in the 2000s with singles and collaborations with a combative edge. His renown was further elevated as a guest artist on releases with Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West. His themes have since moved to socially conscious issues.

His music addresses hardship and struggle that are universal. He’s toured worldwide, encompassing performances in Africa, Europe, Far East, and North America. His musical repertoire is extensive, including dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, and rap, that’s been showcased in several albums and more than 350 singles.

Jamaica’s native son received the nation’s Order of Distinction in 2022 for his “outstanding contribution to music, philanthropy and positive pro-social message to the youth.” In 2010, he was presented with the Jamaica Department of Correctional Services Diamond Award for his work mentoring at-risk youth. The Harvard University Caribbean Club’s Entertainer of the Year Award is a testament to Agent Sasco’s impact on the music industry and Jamaican culture.

Photo – Agent Sasco 

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Jamaica’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security is strengthening its efforts to increase the percentage of visas given to Jamaicans who want to participate in the Seasonal Agricultural and Hospitality programs in the United States.

A meeting between Karl Samuda, Jamaican Minister of Labor and Social Security, officials from the US Embassy, and Permanent Secretary Colette Roberts Risden was called to address the current visa policies by which Jamaicans may participate in both elements of the program. According to the Ministry, about 5,000 Jamaican agricultural workers travel to the US each year to work in a variety of agricultural jobs, including planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables.

While the agricultural H2A component of the program is managed solely by Jamaica’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security, placement on the H2B Hospitality component is handled by Jamaica’s government and private employment agencies that have licenses granted by the Ministry to operate. He Hospitality component has grown at a steady pace each year except in 2020 when it was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparatively, in 2022, some 12,000 Jamaicans got jobs through the H2B program.

Samuda said that many farmers overseas credit the success of their farming operations to Jamaican locals. Jamaican is ready to send more workers to the US, which emphasizes how important the program is to the economies of both the US and Jamaica. He added that his Ministry wants to make sure Jamaica’s presence in the US is of benefit to both countries. Many Jamaicans have had the chance to provide more opportunities for their children as a result of the program, while many farmers in the US owe their successes to the contributions of Jamaican workers.

The officials charged with addressing the visa issue provided reassurances to Minister Samuda that the government is moving decisively to ensure the appropriate orientation of workers. According to officials, Jamaicans participating in the program are “our ambassadors” and it is critical that they understand the expectations placed upon them and how they should act. Samuda also praised the government in the US for supporting the initiative and noted the “good partnership” that exists between the US and Jamaica.

Julie Stufft, deputy assistant secretary for visa services and the head of the US delegation at the meeting, recognized the importance of the Overseas Employment Program and the workers from Jamaica, while also stating that “Jamaica has a product which everyone wants.” She promised the Jamaican delegation that her office would consult with relevant Us government agencies to explore the expansion of the program requested by Jamaica.

Photo – Deposit Photos

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This is a Podcast of the Jamaica & Caribbean Weekly News Summary for the week ending March 3, 2023. The JAMAICA WEEKLY News Summary Podcast is brought to you by Jamaicans.com. For past Jamaica & Caribbean Weekly News Podcasts please visit our archives.

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Sometimes, clarifications are necessary when I speak or write on matters relating to Diaspora engagement. People ask why there is so much confusion about the governance of Diaspora organizations and the government of Jamaica. Let’s make this clear; the government has no authority over any person or organization in any other country than within Jamaica. No law in Jamaica applies to the Diaspora, where or how we live, work, play, or decide to give back to our country. Jamaicans in the Diaspora (USA, Canada, UK, or outlying areas are responsible only to the governments where they live. However, you must abide by the laws of Jamaica whenever you return home for a visit, business, donating or vacation.

The advisors to the government ( the representatives of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC), who were recently elected, are or will become representatives for the Jamaican government and are NOT Diaspora Community representatives. Yes, we voted for them, but only (from the perspective of the Jamaican government) that we identify the person we want to be our representative to advise the government of Jamaica, not as our Diaspora representatives. When those elected persons accept the advisor role, they operate on a Jamaican government’s terms of reference (TOR) on a board chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The minister could ideally appoint any person to sit on this GJDC board without our involvement; however, an election is put in place to allow us to identify that individual. The effect is the same; however, whether the minister selects the person independently or we vote to submit that person to the minister, the result is that the individual becomes representative (advisor) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade. To some persons, the appointment invalidated the development of the election process.

The Jamaican Diaspora does not have a governance structure; it’s a collective of all the individuals and organizations that operate in the Diaspora that retains any semblance of a system. Does the Diaspora require a structure? Well, if it does, it must be designed by the people living in the Diaspora from their respective communities, not by the government of Jamaica. Jurisdiction and borders prevents the Jamaican from governing people living in other countries.

When the original plans were implemented in a collaborative effort between Jamaica ad members of the Diaspora 20 years ago, it was intended to facilitate engagement, support, and partnership between both bodies. Some vital Jamaican entities were instituted to help build and maintain that relationship; the Jamaica Diaspora Institute (JDI), the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation (JDF), and the Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, all intended to give access to Diaspora members means to give back. Also, as foreigners, we are tasked to develop the Jamaica Diaspora movement to build awareness in our respective regions of giving back to our country through philanthropy, business, investment, and trade.

Our charge in the Diaspora has not changed, but the infrastructure from Jamaica has developed into other than was intended. With this change, there is confusion about the role of government in Diaspora affairs. Many organizations are doing great work to enhance their home country. Jamaicans have shown that they care about their homeland. We should continue to make our love and passion shine in helping people where they are. An intentional effort should be made to galvanize action for the betterment of our country, but if it doesn’t happen, we are already doing the work.

For further clarifications on jurisdictional regulations and how our advisors are classified, we (especially GJDC Reps in America) should refer to the roles of foreign agents, governments, and appointees in the U.S. FARA Act of 1938.

About the Author
Leo Gilling is a Diaspora strategist and engagement advocate and chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network

Photo – Deposit photo

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TasteAtlas, a travel guide for traditional foods, compiled a list of 2023’s 100 most popular foods and beverages from the Caribbean, and fully one-fifth of the favorites – 20 of 100 – are Jamaican dishes or beverages. Below are the Jamaican items with their TasteAtlas ranking.

98. Peppered Shrimps

Peppered shrimp is spicy and flavorful and a favorite street food. It is prepared with hot peppers, butter, garlic, and thyme. [Peppered Shrimps Recipe]

96. Brown Stew Fish
This Jamaican treat features marinated and fried fish fillets in a sauce made of onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, butter, and water. Usually seasoned with hot peppers and thyme and served with sides of rice and peas or yams and bananas. [Brown Stew Fish Recipe]

95. Escovitch Fish

This is a classic fish dish prepared by marinating and then frying fish with a vinegar-based and peppery dressing of bell peppers, carrots, and onions. Any firm-bodied fish is appropriate for this dish, which is a traditional Easter food. [Escovitch Fish Recipe]

93. Run Down
A Jamaican fish stew cooked with coconut milk, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Cod or mackerel is typically used. The stew is served with rice, dumplings, or boiled plantains. [Run Down Recipe]

90. Coco Bread
A popular bread made from flour, sugar, salt, yeast, butter, and coconut milk, then baked until golden brown. The coconut milk gives it a slightly sweet flavor. The bread is often split and filled with a Jamaican patty to make a uniquely Jamaican sandwich. [Coco Bread Recipe]

87. Gizzada

This dessert features a pastry shell that is filled with a sweet and spicy coconut filling. Its unique feature is the crust, which is pinched in a traditional way, giving the dessert its other name of “pinch me.” [Gizzada Recipe]

83. Scotch Bonnet Pepper
This hot pepper originated in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The peppers are usually red or yellow and are extremely hot. Their Scoville Heat Unit ranges from 100,000 to 350,000. They are used in hot sauces, jerk seasoning, and chili powder. They get their name from their resemblance to the Scottish Tam O’Shanter.

77. Oxtail with Broad Beans
This is a traditional stew made of chopped oxtail, onions, garlic, ginger, fava beans, chili peppers, and seasonings like allspice, thyme, and black pepper. Well-loved by Jamaicans, it features flavorful and tender meat that falls off the bone. [Oxtail Recipe]

76. Festival

A Jamaican dumpling made with cornmeal and traditionally formed into an oval shape. Its best feature is its crispy exterior, which comes from being fried in hot oil. Usually served with saltfish or mango coleslaw. [Festival Recipe]

70. Ackee and Saltfish

The national dish of Jamaica features the ackee fruit, which originally came from West Africa, and any dried and salted fish. It is popular as a breakfast dish or an appetizer for lunch or dinner. Ackee is not safe to eat until its characteristic three black seeds are visible in the yellow meat. [Ackee and Saltfish Recipe]

68. Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is made with bananas, pineapple, pecans, and eggs, and flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. It is usually topped with cream cheese frosting. It was originally called Doctor Bird Cake, referring to the nickname Jamaicans have for a hummingbird variety known as the Red-Billed Streamer Tail. [Hummingbird Cake Recipe]

66. Planter’s Punch
This popular cocktail is made with dark rum, grenadine, sugar syrup, and fresh orange, pineapple, and lemon juices. The ingredients are then shaken with ice, poured into a large glass, and topped off with Angostura bitters, a pineapple wedge, and a cocktail cherry.

56. Jamaican Steamed Fish
This flavorful dish is also a healthy option prepared by cooking a fish like snapper in a sauce made of butter, tomatoes, and onions, and flavored with thyme, garlic, and black pepper. Scotch bonnet peppers are added for some spice. [Jamaican Steamed Fish Recipe]

51. Stamp and Go

This dish is traditionally an on-the-road snack fritter made with salt cod. It is generally eaten at breakfast of as an appetizer. Usually served with a sweet dipping sauce on the side. [ Stamp and Go Recipe]

39. Fish Tea
Not a tea but a light fish broth made with salt, pepper, and thyme. Different from other Jamaican soups, which are thick and hearty, this broth features small fish like herring combined with bell peppers, carrots, onions, and green bananas. It is believed by some to be an aphrodisiac. [Fish Tea Recipe]

37. Bammy
A traditional flatbread made with cassava and coconut milk, then either fried, baked, or steamed. Originally made by the Arawak people, Jamaica’s original inhabitants. [Bammy Recipe]

34. Brown Stew Chicken
A spicy stew of chicken parts browned and simmered in a rich gravy prepared with onions, peppers, ketchup, and water. Traditionally served with rice, peas, fried ripe bananas, and slice tomatoes, garnished with chopped green onions. [Brown Stew Chicken Recipe]

30. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
This unique Jamaican coffee variety is famous for its lack of bitterness. It is grown in the Blue Mountain region of the island and is one of the most costly coffees in the world. More than 80 percent of this coffee is exported to Japan.

21. Jamaican Patty

One of the most famous of Jamaica’s foods, the patty is popular throughout the world. It is a street food that is also served as a main course. The patties are baked flat and in a half-moon shape and coated with turmeric to give them a bright yellow color. They can be filled with ground beef, and breadcrumbs, and flavored with thyme, onions, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, and curry powder. While beef is the traditional filling, patties can also be filled with seafood, pork, chicken, or vegetables. [Patty Recipe]

06. Jamaican Jerk
Another well-known and well-loved Jamaican dish, jerk was traditionally prepared with pork meat grilled slowly over a pimento wood fire. The modern jerk dish is usually made with chicken, pork, or beef. The word “Jerk” refers to a Jamaican method of cooking in which ingredients are cooked over a fire pit or on a grill over an open fire. The key ingredient to authentic jerk is the spicy seasoning made of onions, green onions, thyme, allspice, chilis, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon, which gives it a combination of spicy, hot, and sweet flavors.

TasteAtlas was founded in 2015 by Matija Babic, a Croatian journalist and entrepreneur. The company views its niche as focusing on traditional dishes and uses reviews from food industry professionals and critics rather than user-generated content.

Photo – Deposit Photos

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A few days ago, I had a conversation with an old friend of mine who operates an island-wide merchandising company and who was complaining about being unable to find workers in the Montego Bay area. As she spoke I recalled a couple of other conversations that I had shared with other employers in the Kingston area who were having similar experiences. Although these people represented only a small percentage of the island’s population, it was becoming clear that this is perhaps a result of a slowing down of the country’s population growth rate.

Two is better than too many
I recall the mid-1970s Family Planning program under the theme “Two is better than too many” which had been preceded by Family Life Education (FLE) teacher training workshops, a scheme for the commercial distribution of condoms and oral contraceptives (Panther and Pearle), and mass media (radio, television, billboards, and print) which became an important information dissemination channel for launching the “Two Child Family” campaign. In 1974, the GOJ officially integrated family planning services with the MOH primary health care programme, thereby greatly increasing the number of health centers offering family planning. By the end of the decade, an island-wide network of family planning clinics was operating, and birth rates had decreased from 34 per 1,000 in 1970 to 15.107 per 100,000 in 2021. The last four years paints a discouraging picture as the current birth rate for Jamaica in 2023 is 15.107 births per 1000 people, a 1.46% decline from 2022. This compares with the birth rate for Jamaica in 2022 which was 15.331 births per 1000 people, a 1.45% decline from 2021. The birth rate for Jamaica in 2021 was 15.556 births per 1000 people, a 1.42% decline from 2020, while the birth rate for Jamaica in 2020 was 15.780 births per 1000 people, a 1.41% decline from 2019.

Low fertility rates
At the outset, Jamaicans bought into the “two is better than too many” without appreciating that these population control measures would ultimately have a seriously deleterious effect on the country, way beyond the generally well-held view that the wrong people were having children. The view served as a temporary relief of the government for providing the economic and social guardrails on which a society is built. The “two is better than too many” policy succeeded and produced consistently reduced fertility among Jamaicans to the point where the United Nations has now projected that Jamaica’s population is expected to grow slowly over the next decade, with an estimated population of 2.9 million by 2030. With other factors such as high migration rates, deaths by murder, motor vehicle accidents, and other general mortality factors, it would only have been a matter of time before we got to this point.

Negative implications

As the population of Jamaica continues to grow slowly over the next decade, there may be some implications for the country’s economy and social structure. For example, with an aging population and a smaller working-age population, there may be challenges in maintaining economic growth and providing social and family services. Some of the potential dangers of this include:

Demographic imbalances: With fewer children being born, there may be a smaller working-age population in the future to support an aging population. This can create demographic imbalances and strain social welfare systems and healthcare systems.

Reduced workforce: A decline in family sizes can lead to a smaller workforce in the future. This can make it harder for Jamaica to compete globally, as there may be a reduced supply of skilled labor to drive economic growth.

Reduced economic growth: A smaller workforce can also lead to slower economic growth, which can reduce the standard of living for Jamaicans and make it harder to provide basic services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Cultural and social changes: A decline in family sizes can also lead to changes in Jamaican culture and social norms, such as changes in family structures and relationships.

Environmental sustainability: A smaller population can lead to a reduction in resource consumption and environmental pressures, but it can also reduce the country’s ability to invest in sustainable development and environmental protection.

Stemming the population slide
It appears that if Jamaica is serious about growth and development that it will need to recognize that a problem exists and that the solution approach will require the consideration of a range of options to address the challenges and opportunities presented by a declining population. Some of the key options that Jamaica may need to consider include:

Encouraging immigration: Jamaica may need to consider policies that encourage immigration of skilled workers, particularly in industries that require specialized skills and expertise.

Fostering economic growth: A smaller population can make it harder to achieve sustained economic growth, but Jamaica can take steps to foster economic growth by investing in education, infrastructure, and innovation to create an environment that attracts both local and foreign investment.

Promoting fertility rates: Jamaica may need to consider policies that promote higher fertility rates, such as providing incentives for families to have children or investing in education and healthcare services that help women achieve a better work-life balance.

Raising the retirement age: With an aging population and fewer workers entering the workforce, Jamaica may need to consider raising the retirement age to help maintain a larger working-age population.
Addressing social and cultural changes: As family structures and relationships change with declining population, Jamaica may need to address these changes through policies that support families, children, and the elderly, and encourage social cohesion and cultural preservation.

Promoting sustainable development: Jamaica may need to focus on sustainable development and environmental protection, given the potential for a smaller population to reduce pressure on natural resources.

 

About the Author

Richard Hugh Blackford is the host of a 2-hour music-driven internet show Sunday Scoops on yaawdmedia.com each Sunday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The show focuses on Foundation Jamaican Music and takes its audience on a nostalgic but historical musical journey, peeling back the years of Jamaican musical development as the hosts explore the careers of Jamaican artistes. Sunday Scoops provides interviews with personalities, and discussions on Jamaican music and other topical issues.  The show is co-hosted by noted DJ Garth Hendricks.

Photo – Deposit Photo

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The family of Bob Marley announced that it is opening a cannabis store in Kingston in collaboration with Docklight Brands. The store is located at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road, Bob Marley’s former home and recording studio, which is also the location of the Marley Natural Dispensary and Smoking Lounge.

The Marley family and Docklight Brands, the holder of exclusive international rights to Marley cannabinoid products, are promoting Marley Natural as the first global cannabis brand in the world. Stephen Marley believes that his father would be happy to see the herb house opening at the museum. He also noted how far attitudes surrounding cannabis and its use have come over time, finally recognizing the many positive elements of the herb that Marley and the Rasta community promoted for more than four decades. Stephen Marley added that it is “just right” to open the herb house at his father’s museum.

The new herb house obtained the approval of the Cannabis Licensing Authority of Jamaica, the entity by which both local residents and visitors to Jamaica are allowed to consume cannabis for medical and therapeutic purposes on the island. The herb house will offer only Marley Natural brand cannabis that is grown locally in St. Ann, the parish where Bob Marley was born. There are future plans to construct herb houses at Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, as well as in other locations throughout Jamaica.

Bob Marley, in addition to being a legendary reggae musician and social justice activist, is also a lasting icon of cannabis culture. The Marley Natural webpage displays this quote from Marley, “Herb is a thing that gives you a little time to yourself so you can live.” According to the brand’s promoters, Marley believed that it was beneficial to individuals and the world to maintain a healthy relationship with nature, and Marley Natural’s cultivation, packaging, and distribution are based on this principle. Marley Natural offers cannabis products in four basic categories at the herb house: hybrid, sativa, CBD-rich, and indica.

Photo – Marley Natural JA Facebook

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