Tribute to Barry Chevannes

  

Barry Chevannes was a  graduate of St George’s College and gained his B.A. (Philosophy) and M.A. from Boston College, his Master's in sociology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and his doctorate in applied anthropology from Columbia University, where he defended his thesis on the Rastafari movement in Jamaica. 

His publications in this area have made him one of the leading international scholars on the Rastafari. They include Rastafari: Roots and Ideology and scores of articles in learned journals. His edited collection, Rastafari and Other African Caribbean Worldviews was nominated for the 1995 Katherine Briggs Award in the United Kingdom. 

He was  well known for his public service. He chaired the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, was the founder of Fathers Incorporated, and of Partners for Peace, and is recognized for his original contribution to Jamaican folk and religious song heritage. He was also a member of the Peace Management Initiative of the Minister of National Security, Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force and Co-chair of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development. 

On November 5, Professor Chevannes lost his struggle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Paulette and two daughters. Today many mourners  poured onto the grounds of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, not for classes, but to pay their last respects to this great man. The chapel was filled with people from Bruce Golding to Portia Simpson Miller and Edward Sega. government officials and dignitaries.

 

Well Death It Is

This information was taken from the Jamaican Observer. It seems that support to retain the death penalty has been approved.

The House was asked to vote on the following motion moved by Prime Minister Bruce Golding two weeks ago:
'Be it resolved that this Honourable House : (a) affirms its support for the retention of the death penalty as specified in the Offences Against the Person Act; (b) declares its support for the removal of the death penalty as specified in the Offences Against the Person Act.'

Two separate votes were taken, on (a) and (b) respectively, requiring an "aye" or a "nay" from each member present as his/her name was called.

On (a), 34 members voted "aye", 15 voted "nay". There were eight absentees.

Well, what does this all mean? Simple. The Jamaica people are very tired of all the violence in the country. People understood that years ago that justice was swift and fear of death was what kept many of the "bad man" in check.

I found it interesting that "Portia" was absent for the vote. Portia Simpson Miller told her party's National Executive Council on Sunday that she would have been absent from yesterday's conscience vote because of a previous engagement. She, however, did not give details as to the nature of that engagement.

The issue will now move to the floor of the Senate, where a debate is not necessary, since there is no need to change the law, but is to be included since it was a recommendation of the Joint Select Committee which reviewed the Charter of Rights.

Current Goings On

Whatcha, many goings on in Jamaica, Check it out mon.

• 
  'Leave NHT interest rates' - Simpson Miller appeals to Golding
• Protect the poor from food hikes - Simpson Miller
• 
  Scores affected by floods - St Ann lashed by rains from cold front
• Brick and Lace make it Africa
• Where is my son's head?
• Two Angels on Royal Palms Estate
• Alden Clunis, local cyclist dies

For more news see----->HERE

JLP and PNP come together-for a little while

Well for a little while it seemed the two political parties were one. It seemed that way as they lined up on the street by Gordon House to glimpse the Prime Minister (Bruce Golding) and the ex (Mama P-Portia Simpson Miller) and also watch the opening of Parliament yesterday.

One man was quoted as saying, ""Me come out fi see Bruce," said Horace Davis, one of the many vendors who set up mini stalls along the sidewalk yesterday. "Me want fi hear from him how him deal with the budget."

Portia received a warm greeting as well. Some of her supporters even sang the PNP song.
For more of the story Click Here.

Portia's New Year Message for 2008

Okay, I am confused how come Portia is giving a New Year Message? what happen to Bruce Message? Did I miss something?