The much anticipated spud summit have occurred without much perceived movement in further human understanding.
Well, the only foreign influence planned was a tall mug of Red Stripe beer. Although advertised as such, the professor decided to go with Samuel Adams, from the local New England brewery instead. This just added to a tough week as the
Roaming Gnome is off to Hawaii instead of Jamaica for his travel adventure!.
Speaking like a true teetotaler (me no drink) , – bitters suds may actually reduce brain function. However, how can we turn these lemons into lemonade?
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Red Stripe beer presence could have broken the Whitehouse rule set in the sixties by President Lyndon Johnson of not allowing foreign beer.
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The marketing impulse in me could not resist thinking of the possibility. When you get so much free press, you need to capitalize.
I actually detest (yes that strong) the last Red Stripe commercial I saw on ESPN that emphasized the bottle. I thought it was all about the content,not the ugliness of the bottle.
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Is this a means of upgrading the commercial now that the world is aware of Red Stripe?
Red Stripe that close to the World Stage
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What are the other possible leverage points that are now possible because of this summit?
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Here are a few that gush from my fertile brain cells for what they are worth.
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Combine the clicking of the mugs with a Jamaica , No problem ad, with Bob Marley singing, “Let’s get together, and feel alright”.
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Send officer Crowley a six pack gift of Red Stripe and create a photo op as he receives this gift .
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Offer both Prof. Gates and officer Crowley a week-end trip to Jamaica to have a follow up dialog.
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Offer President Obama a get away trip where he can meet with key congressional leaders to hammer out a health care bill.
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License our “Out of Many, One People” motto to Cambridge to help promote a harmonious community.
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Create a free Iphone App for Red Stripe to promote Jamaica.
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What’s your idea on how we can leverage this meeting?
There is disappointment in the air for some as Red Stripe may not be allowed at the upcoming Brew Peace Summit. It is the beer of choice of Prof. Gates, however, foreign beers are not allowed at the Whitehouse.
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But there is great news!
The latest edition of JamaicanEats is out!
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You memba when? That’s the sense I got as I eagerly leaf through the wealth of nostalgia captured in the hot off the press.
Ok, let me slow down and savor the full course meal of soul nourishing culture.
The Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on the population’s multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. The crest shows a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling.
The aspirational tone of this motto may have given us the false sense that we have arrived at the kum ba ya era of heaven-bound maturity. However, recent criticisms from a chorus of global voices have given me pause to reconsider how well we have practiced the call of this motto in an evolving and demanding 21 st. century global community.
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We have initially pushed back calling the criticism unfair, and un-warranted. However, is this a teachable moment that we are missing that could propel us into a future that gets us into fuller alignment with our motto?
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Let me raise some discussion regarding the two most prevalent concerns that I have heard. These are regarding:
Homophobia
Second class service of African-American clients
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We can deal with these perceptions in several ways.
We could vehemently deny them.
We can bury our heads in the sand, and install the code of silence.
We can muster the needed courage and address the issues square on.
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I am choosing the later, and invite you to do likewise. The timely addressing of the tarnishing of our brand will have implication on our moral development and economic future whether we like it or not.
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Our brand value is what others perceive you possess. It is also something you can develop, shape, and control. Branding is what makes you unique — and better than all your competition in the marketplace.
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So, who are the shapers of our brand that would create such a growing negative perception?
How do they get employed for such an important function?
Who preserves and defend the wealth of the culture ?
How do we create tools and mechanisms to transmit the best and discourage the worst in the culture within the constraints of the constitution?
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Dance hall musicians have been tagged the leading cultural pied pipers and they are clearly holding a heavy sway over the hearts and minds of our youngsters.
Should Jamaica be chosen the winner, the Roaming Gnome will jet off to the breathtaking Caribbean island to experience and enjoy the destination’s natural beauty and diverse culture. Fans will be able to follow his tour and journey online, giving potential travelers a taste of what to expect when they visit.
This week, we celebrate the 40th year of that glorious moon walk. While it is good to reflect, a perilous future confronts our near term journey. It calls for new innovation, new pioneering to provide our economy with high octane fuel. For this to happen, the underutilized human potential need to be energized and new dreams and possibilities given birth.
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A new set of alchemists are needed to encourage this process, and guess what folks, I think they are here!
What do you get when you combine the energy of a social entrepreneur, a master teacher, and a motivational speaker?
You have a wining team dedicated to change young lives through the catalyst of entrepreneurship. Meet the fantastic partnership of:
Toniette Wheatle , the founder of Wheatle Peart, which is a social consulting business. www.WheatlePeart.com
Alphonso Roundtree , former NFL player and global guest speaker. www.ARoundtree.com
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These folks have joined capabilities to partner with business institutions and go into under served communities and get youngsters excited about entrepreneurship. They are growing young CEOs in some places written off by many. They have designed the teen CEO blueprint with much success. This blueprint is being deployed in North America, Asia, Africa, and of course, Jamaica.
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The current economic situation has left us reeling. Finding work for many is as frustrating and elusive as catching a duppy (a ghost for you non-Jamaicans ). Being able to truly appreciate one’s potential, develop partnerships, products and services in a global oyster will serve us well going forward.
Henry Wotton made this infamous statement many moons ago.
“An ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country”.
Well, Wotton did not consider the positive impact on a honest woman such as April Jackson.
In April of 2008 April Jackson captured the title of Miss Jamaica Universe, and have used this platform of being a global Jamaican ambassador with much relish and integrity.
April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008
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Her career as an ambassador started as Miss Jamaica UK. This post enabled April to show the pride she has for her country and be a positive role model for many.
Some of her best moments that you may be aware of include:
Modeling for couture designer Adebayo Jones.
Participating in Lambeth’s celebration of the bicentennial year of the abolishment of slavery .
Being of the front cover of Positive People Magazine with a four page spread.
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April also had major impact on the local Jamaican scene.
April has contributed to positive change amongst youth as a member of the board of Denham Town High School
April is founder of Give Children A Future (GCAF) Foundation.
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She has overcome obstacles to include her mother leaving abruptly without word when she was in her late teens. Consequently she has a passion for children in homes and raises funds to adhere to the needs of foster homes through GCAF.
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April considers delivering motivational talks and spending time with young people a priority as she aims to inspire them to achieve great things despite the troubles they may face.
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In the coming Fall she will be attending Columbia University to pursue her academic aspirations. The Big Apple, New York City will assist her in pursuing her interests in the modeling and media.
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I had the distinct privilege to have April reflect on her year as a Jamaican ambassador.
It offers us a connectedness that brings folks closer than ever before. One of the marketing genius of Facebook is to plum the power of the word “friend”. Who would deny being a “friend” request especially when a mutual “friend” is leveraged?
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So folks boast about the thousand of “friends” that they have and thus our societal consciousness of the contrast of acquittance and friendship is blurred. High tech is good, but high touch is better.
Those who have been seasoned by the challenges of life know that true friendship goes way beyond sharing sweet nothings, but having each others back in the trenches when the going is tough.
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I say all of this to remind us of the principle of “the survival of the knitted” regarding immigrant social networks.
When we are networked, we pool our knowledge and creativity to develop strategies to advance our common cause. We will need this attitude more than ever in the post economic 9/11 world. The ground is still shifting, while we are engineering a future hope in the diaspora community.
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So, the meeting of the national Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO) in Atlanta , July 16 – 19, 2009 takes on added significance. This is the 32th. meeting of this organization. The overarching theme is :
“Facing the challenges: Uncovering the Opportunities”
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This organization has been recognized as the most influential Jamaican umbrella association as they are powered by dedicated, patriotic persons willing to give back in a sacrificial manner.
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Jamaica’s economic development will hold center sway. The accompanying issues of education, health-care, and security will be discussed. His excellency Anthony Johnson, Ambassador to the US will get the occasion started. Her most honorable Portia Simpson-Miller is slated to speak at the opening luncheon, and his most honorable Bruce Golding is slated to deliver the keynote address.
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We are planning a reflective interview with the organizers to get the inside scoop of this event in the coming weeks. Check out this organization again.
Maybe you were laid off, or finished your schooling, and here you are trying your best to secure that interview . After working your network, and exercising all your skills, you have an opportunity to show your stuff. How you you make the most of the interview opportunity?
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I have compiled a list of suggestions from at HBR article by David Silverman. Here goes:
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Dress appropriately. a business suit is appropriate. If you’re a man, wear a tie.
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Be prepared to be crisp in your responses. Do not waste the interviewees time. Rehearse if that will refine your delivery.
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Listen well. The most useful skill in sales is listening — and in an interview, you’re selling yourself.
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Ask questions. Have a few prepared questions ready to roll out.
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Show interest. This could also be called “sucking up.” When an interviewee doesn’t ask me anything about myself, she’s not just saying “I’ve got pride in my accomplishments and don’t need to pander to you.” She’s also showing me that she isn’t good at showing interest in other people. Which means she’s going to have a hard time politically in the company.
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Do your research. You can show the hiring manager that you took the time to learn something about the company.
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Be courteous to the interviewer’s support staff: secretaries, assistants.
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Use the interviewer’s name a least once in a response. “Well John, with my background in ….” or “Well, Mr. Jones, you should know …”
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Close the interview with a handshake and say something along the lines of: “I’m interested in working with XYZ and the team here.” (Ask for the sale!)
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When I’m interviewing, I want to know the candidates’ philosophy, their experience, their vision, and their ability to come up with concrete ideas. A good candidate will be able to demonstrate that they can picture themselves doing the job that we’re asking them to do.
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Take a thank you card with you and as soon as you leave the interview take 2 minutes to personally write a thank you, mention a positive part of the interview that the interviewer particularly bought in to or if something did not go so well its a chance to explain positively. Mail it immediately.
Here we are on the threshold of an event that will surpass the magnitude and scope of Princess Di’s funeral.
I remember her funeral well, as I found myself in London the day after Di’s funeral, and the swell of emotion was just overwhelming. Mother Teresa has also died that same week, and I was perturbed that her recognition was swamped by the media spotlight on the Princess.
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So, I approach this post within that context, as I am not one taken by celebrity allure. I was actually poked to express my thoughts regarding the last 12 days of global reaction to Michael’s death.
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Communication technologies were on the verge of meltdown after the TMZ story was released. Even the “omnipotent” Google experienced challenges in satisfying the 4.2 million visitors per minute tying against all hope to dismiss their unbelief. Well, his death is real, and today he is memorialized. There is planned an extravaganza that will dazzle our eyes, but will it satisfy our hearts?
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Given all the tragedies surround Michael’s life, I am choosing to remember Michael through the principles of parenting. My youngest daughter has a means of giving me feedback when my interaction with her falls short of expectation. She simply say, “Disrespect!”
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She thus grabs grabs my attention and challenges me to evaluate and correct my attitude and communication.
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The privilege of parenting is such an awesome responsibility, and that is the theme that I will remembering beyond this memorial day. The critical difference or the contrast in parenting provided to Michael seems to lurk around his life’s story.
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So, I am using this post to remind us of some of the essentials that our kids need from us to be able to grow strongly into adulthood.
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My child needs to feel Loved.
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My child needs to feel accepted.
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My child needs to feel important.
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My child needs to be recognized.
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My child needs to feel independent.
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When we become effective in influencing our children in a healthy way, they will truly be kings and queens.
Even with the generosity of the Reggae genre ,singing does not rise to the top tier of my talent bank.
So it is easy for me to refuse the invitation of join a choir, especially the grievance choir. Yes, the grievance choir whose music sheet only comprise the down notes of the US experience with its sins being the lyrics.
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As I pen these thoughts, I listen to the joyous laughter of an Ethiopian family enjoying the community pool. The dad is outside the pool orchestrating a water volleyball game, while each child scream with delight as they vie for dad’s attention.
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A diversity of people can be seen on the lounge chairs occupying the pool’s perimeter; sunbathing, catching up our their summer reading, or plugging some text message into their phones. The pool guard cast a scanning eye to ensure that all remains well. From a passing car comes the waffling sound of some sweet classical Mexican Ballard music. This idyllic melting pot scene provides a symbolic backdrop for this American Independence day week-end for me.
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Being in Washington DC during this holiday’s season, gives one a unique perspective on the greatness of the country. The National Mall comprises an all star display of national icons that are in full regale for the fourth. I thus made my way to the national mall last evening (prior to the coming hordes) to listen to Dick Gregory, a seasoned social critic.
Dick Gregory at the Smithsonian
He was performing at the annual folk life festival, and took his time to share with his irreverent humor, why this was such a great country.
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He chronicled his journey in the US with particular emphasis on the rapid expansion of opportunities for all people buoyed by the civil rights victories. Being on the forefront of the civil rights movement for so many years, his declaration comes with much credibility. This was a refreshingly honest assessment that will bear additional future progress as it gives impetus and affirmation to further national growth.
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I was again reminded to reconsider the foundational aspiration of this nation. The inspiring words of the declaration of Independence and the constitution give energy and vision to so many yearnings and possibilities. I doubt Jefferson fully imagined what those powerful words of the declaration of independence would do to not only form a new nation, but to breathe new life in the innate sense of freedom of all mankind.
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“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
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I relish these moving words , while I also hold a deep love for our native land, and a keen appreciation of my ethnic roots. My hybrid nature is symbolized by the umbilical cord of a hyphen. I am a Jam-American.
I find myself being defined by the overlap of the two cultural spheres.
The mores of Jamaica and the cultural presence of my American existence shape my being.
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This will be a dynamic space and that is just fine. It will make me more sensitive to truly being, and thus make conscious choices rather than relying on just drifting along.
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In the US, we are constantly re-inventing itself using the aspiration of a great constitution, and declaration of independence to overcome the challenges of each era. That is the secret sauce of its abiding hope. This is what gives me confidence in this most challenging period.
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Finally, I leave you with this admonition. Don’t take the gust of freedom that we enjoy for granted. It was earned and will continue to be purchased by the spilling of precious blood, and other costly sacrifices.
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So as you enjoy that picnic and fireworks, utter a prayer of thanks and vow to contribute yourself to making a difference that other immigrants even from Jamaica can aspire and wonder about this great country.
