Political Parties in Jamaica

As long as I can remember there has been political unrest in Jamaica. I don't understand, why fight over a right that not everyone uses. If a poll was done in Jamaica as to how many people actually voted it would be less then people who claim specific political affliations.

1938 was a turning point in the history of modern Jamaica. Workers across the island began to demand better wages and working conditions and the colonial government had no choice but to listen. Strikes by the sugarworkers of Frome estate in Westmoreland, by the dockworkers of the Standard Fruit Company in Kingston, by farmworkers in Islington, St. Mary led to mass rallies and public meetings, the likes of which had never been seen on the island, not even the decade before during the height of Garveyism.

BY AUGUST 1938 Fairclough had made a name for himself travelling all over the island to recruit members such as businessmen, lawyers and members from established organizations such as the Jamaica Union of Teachers (JUT) and the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

A set of some 50 delegates were eventually selected and they appointed a steering committee of seven that included Norman Manley as chairman, accountant O. T. Fairclough as secretary, teacher H.P. Jacobs, lawyer N.N. Nethersole, Rev. O. G. Penso, architectural draftsman W. G. MacFarlane and Howard F. Cooke, a JUT representative (and the present Governor-General of Jamaica, the only member of that committee still alive). He remembers the excitement of the time and the almost missionary urge of wanting to effect change. The steering committee's task was to draft a founding constitution and prepare the party's formal launch slated for September 18, 1938 at the landmark Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston.
Ken Hiill and Sir Stafford Cripps

On the evening of September 18 the Ward Theatre was packed to capacity with the overflow spilling out onto North Parade. People of different political beliefs from different walks of life were present to listen to Norman Manley and British Labour Party MP, Sir Stafford Cripps, the guest speaker. Manley spoke of a new era in Jamaica's history, stressing the "tremendous difference between living in a place and belonging to it and feeling that your own life and your destiny is irrevocably bound up in the life and destiny of that place. Radical change was under way." In addition, he spoke of the need for collaboration between politics and trade unionism


* It is said that the name originally chosen was the Jamaica Labour Party in light of the
growing labour movement as indicated in a publication up to a week before the party's actually launch. Some supporters,
however, were concerned that the use of the word labour might sound as if the party should only be open to labourers. Hence the change of wording to people's and national.

* When the PNP began an islandwide campaign to organize chapters and the Kingston Chapter was formed Bustamante joined it for a short time. He then was forced to spend up to a year and a half in jail for what the then British Governor determined subversive activities with the BITU and soon after his release from jail that time he set about organizing the Jamaica Labour Party, launched at the Ward Theatre in 1943.

The right-of-centre party traditionally has been the Jamaica Labour Party. This party was formed in 1943 with William Alexander Bustamante (1884-1977) as its leader. Bustamante was born in Blenheim. After serving in the Spanish army, he worked in various capacities in Cuba, Panama, and New York City. In 1932, he and his friend, St. William Grant, returned to Jamaica. Grant became the sharp end of the stick Bustamante used to prod the British to extend self-rule to Jamaica.

Busta, as he was known to all, organized the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union in 1938, and was jailed by the British for his union and political activities in 1941-42. In 1943 Bustamante formed the Jamaica Labor party, and later served as mayor of Kingston (1947-48) and chief minister of Jamaica (1953-55).

Knighted in 1955, Sir Alexander became the first prime minister of a fully independent Jamaica. That was in 1962. Politically conservative, he closely aligned the country with the United States. Sir Alexander became a member of the order of National Heroes in 1965. He and Norman Manley were the first ones to receive this honour. Bustamante retired in 1967 and was succeeded by Hugh Lawson Shearer.

The JLP won the first election under Jamaica's new constitution in 1944. The new constitution granted the island limited self-rule and universal adult sufferage. The JLP also held office in 1949-1955. After independence, the JLP had two additional terms in office: 1962-1972 and 1980-1989.

Violence now sweeps the island. It is sad because many people who are thinking of returning are now hesitant because of the high crime levels. I hope the government will take a stronger stand on some of the political fighting...but then again isn't the government the ones that let certain happens.

Mi nuh know bredda!...ONE LOVE

Jamaican clothes

The clothing you'll see around Jamaica is vibrant and striking, but the overarching theme in this tropical climate is comfort. No matter your plans, comfortable clothing is essential.This is even moreso in the Country or more interior parts of the island.

The only way I can say it to make you understand is JAMAICA HOT MON!!. :-)

You could be coming off the plane, waiting for a cab and sweat is pouring off of you. It is of course essential to carry that "underarm" protection.




What the HECK does this white dude have on? AS HOT AS IT IS !!



This is a traditional outfit in Jamaica. Generally women who do the quadrille dance wear these clothes.




Thes are some old time folk singers in Montego Bay
As you can see Jamaica has typical Western Wear.



Festival clothing

Horray Beer-Mi love deh Red Stripe Beer

NOTHING CAN HELP DEH WHITE BWOY DANCE. HIM JUST NUH 'AVE NUH RYTHYM

Jamaica Pegasus Hotel

I remember growing up in Kingston often visiting the prestigious hotel. The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel was and still is one of the most elite hotels on the island. The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel is located 20 minutes from the Norman Manley International Airport, in the heart of Kingston's financial and business district. The Pegasus offers a magnificent view of the scenic cultural center, Emancipation Park, and is within walking distance of various international offices, embassies, historical and cultural centers, shopping areas and restaurants.

The closest rival to this hotel is the Hilton. Well, to be honest I spent more time at the Hilton then the Pegasus. The Pegasus was more for the snooty folks living in Jamaica and the business tourist. I recall back in the 70's when they almost shut the hotel down because the United States accused Jamaica of harboring Fidel Castro there. Well, to be honest they probably were, but you didn't hear that from me.
Fidel visiting the Pegasus back in the 70's.





Pele visiting Jamaica

Why I m Proud to be a Jamaican (part 2)

In part one I focused on some of my memories growing up in Jamaica as a child. In this post I want to focus on the universal aspect of coming from Jamaica- The music. The music of Jamaica has bonded people from all over the world. From the beginning sounds of SKA to the pulsating beat of today's Dance Hall.

You cannot mention Jamaica to anyone without them smiling and thinking about the music. Back in the day we would have the Sound System men have their huge Speakers in the back of their van or truck and set up along the roadside. I mean literally set up by a road side. In Kingston, hell it could be anywhere.

You could hear the music for miles. I would stand in my yard and just rock and sway my body to the sounds. It was really nice on a warm Jamaica night, under the stars. My cousin and I would stand in the courtyard and move our bodies to the beat until we dropped with exhausation. Of course it was much better when you were there. We sometimes had live performances as well. People like Jacob Miller, Beres Hammond, Junior Byles, and even the great Peter Tosh would sometimes show up and have these spontaneous Jam sessions.


Jamaica Revival music


Music is in the blood of every Jamaican. From the movements of Revival to the sweat-dropping sounds of Buju Banton. It was not an easy life in Jamaica, not even today for many, but the music makes it sweet to be a Jamaican mon.




Some of the sound system mon dem






Lee "Scratch" Perry











Jamaican Dancehall style



Some crucial moves iyah




Beenie Man-ranking Dancehall King

Jamaican Jokes

Rastaman Divorce Hearing

A Jamaican Rasta man and his wife are in court getting a divorce. The problem was who should get custody of the child. The wife jumped up and said, “Your Honor. I brought the child into this world with pain and labor. She should be in my custody.” The judge turns to the husband and says, “What do you have to say in the matter?” The Rasta man sat for a while contemplating, then slowly rose. Your Honor, if I man put a dollar in a vending machine and a Pepsi comes out, whose Pepsi is it, ‘I and I’ or the machine’s?


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Jamaican Version of the 23 Psalms

The Lord ah mi one boss, and mi nuh fi want nutt’n.

Ah Him ah prevent mi from tell off people everyday.

Ah Him ah gimme peace, when so-so madness a gwan roun’ mi.

Ah Him ah remine mi fi pray and fi do everyting widout complain, murmur or kiss mi teet.

Ah Him ah remine mi dat ah Him, noh mi job, ah mi source, although lickle more pay woulda nice.

Ah Him ah ‘top mi from mad a daytime, an’ ah guide mi decision dem so mi can honor Him inna hev’ryting.

Ah Him ah prevent mi from shoot up di whole place, an’ tun’ all mi supervisor dem inna some duppy, so mi no haffi go ah prison an’ live ‘mongst ah bag ah battyman or get heng.

Even though mi get one whole heap of e-mail, fool fool deadline fi work wid, have some co-worker dem whey a chat mi behine mi back, some big heediat fi supervisor, an’ ah howl body dat kyaan’ mek it a morning time, mi nah give up because Him deh wid mi!

Him presence, Him peace, an’ Him power ah go si mi through.

Ah Him ah raise mi up, even when di heediat dem nah promote mi hard working self, though mi have three set a degree an’ diploma.

Ah Him claim mi as fi Him own, even when di company ah threaten fi fiah mi an’ me ah threaten fi light wan fiah an’ bun di whole place ah grung.

Fi Him faithfulness an’ love betta dan any bonus check, but yu si mi, a check woulda help out some time.

Fi Him retirement plan betta dan every pension plan outta road, but mek anybady try rob this place yah an yuh see wha ‘appen out yah tiday: Suhmaddy bettah run to hell!

When unnu done talk; Ah Him mi ah go wuk fah fi wan long time.

So Tank Yuh Lord

Why I Am Proud to be a Jamaican (part 1)

I have been sitting here thinking about my own cultural awareness. Just what does it mean to be a Jamaican living in the United States. I have been here for many years, but it wasn't until lately within the last year have I become more appreciative of my own heritage. Due in part to the wonderful friendship of a man who is very much aware of his own culture and what being Jamaican means to him.

I remember going to Vaz Prep in Kingston as a child, and the wonderful memories I had there. Going to school back then I was known as the "sweetie gal." I was always bringing a bag of candy to school. I had my Bustamante, asham, peppermint sticks, icy mint, grater cakes and other goodies.

Of course selling it gave me my lunch money and money for other things. At that time walking to school was what everyone did. I walked from New Kingston , near the Sheraton Hotel, to Constant Spring Road. Quite a distance. This is of course nothing compared to someone living in the countryside of the island has to travel, but for us Kingstonians it was a distance.



So many happy memories, because these were indeed happy times of my life. When I would go by the Tastee Patty shop after school with my friends. We would buy two patties with some cocoa bread and finish it by the time we got home. Of course we had a bottle of ting or some sky juice to wash it down.

Jamaican people have this silent strength that can be seen etched in the faces of the youngest person to the oldest person. A sense of family. It doesn't matter where you lived, town or country one had to respect the eldest member of the family. Respect was not something asked for, it was expected.

I can't help but feel this great sense of pride when I see Jamaicans being recognized for their contributions to society and making mention of their Jamaican heritage. Former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell who was born of Jamaican parentage stood in the thrust of America'’s political arena at a time that history will not soon forget.



Jamaican History books document our very own Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a Jamaica National Hero, as a courageous Jamaican that spread his wings beyond the boundaries of our beautiful island. Since then, so many Jamaicans like General Powell has proved that although Jamaicans are birthed from a tiny island, our dreams have taken us way beyond the scope of the world and across all walks of life. So part one of my dedication is to all the "yardees" that live abroad but will never forget that part of their heart that says, "I MON ON YAH, BUT I NAH BWAAN YAH." Because Jamaica will always be "YARD."