Democracy requires work
The recent election results in Barbados that resulted in the massive and no doubt well deserved victory of Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her Barbados Labour Party, I find rather troubling. …
Parable of a conversation with a dead squirrel
Mr. Nelson Mandela wrote a book which was titled, Conversations With Myself. I doubt that anyone who had seen that title, initially, had any concerns about his mental health. Perhaps no alarm …
Jamaica: Time to address the virus of corruption, indiscipline and criminality
Jamaica was born out of probably the most heinous crime against humanity known to mankind — TransAtlantic slavery. Our forebears were unfortunately socialized and marinated in a criminal environment. Jamaica was …
That perennial minimum wage game
On one level it is critical that as a country we have an established minimum wage. The objective being, to protect low level workers from unscrupulous employers. On another level, we …
Post-Hurricane Melissa: Some thoughts
The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa has left so much destruction in Jamaica; nothing any living Jamaican has ever witnessed in their lifetime. As usual, it is the poorest among us who suffer the most. …
Post-Melissa lessons for Jamaica
The very first lesson for Jamaica is that as a country we desperately need to develop a maintenance culture. Governments over the years have been fascinated with creating new projects, and …
Oh America: Home of the free, in certain decline
From time to time, people have asked me why I’m so concerned about what is happening in America. I often respond by asking, “Have you been in the supermarket in Jamaica …
Time (again) for serious regional integration
I am a Jamaican-born Caribbean man. Have always been. Two of my brothers were born in Barbados, so I had little choice. I’ve often said that I was so grateful to …
Jamaica’s broken politics
The Westminster system of government that we adopted at independence in 1962 is predicated on the notion that men and women offer themselves for service to their country as a way …
Jamaica: My post-election mutterings
Jamaica held its 15th general election since independence on September 3, 2025. The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was rewarded with a third consecutive term in office, winning 35 seats to …
After 63 years of Independence…
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds,” — Marcus Garvey From I was in primary school, activists and disciples of Marcus Garvey have been trying to …