Features

Contents | Fall 2004 JAMAICAN DIASPORA

What we are about…Jamaican Diaspora is a quarterly magazine. Think of our readers as people who like toexperience and learn about the Caribbean culture. We encourage our readers to considersomething new that is refreshing. It may be just be what you’re looking for and even much more.

Janice K. Maxwell, Editor in ChiefKaren S. Straka, Art Director & Senior EditorDesign by Breadfruit Productions, www.BreadfruitProductions.com

Jamaican Diaspora is a Publication of JK Productions

Writing for Jamaican Diaspora ...Jamaican Diaspora contains articles from our advertisers as well as contributing writers.The articles we publish are written to share knowledge about heath, education, theenvironment and to instill cultural pride. If you are interested in sharing your expertise orknowledge about a particular subject matter, please contact us.

How to place an ad ...If you would like to advertise, please contact: JamaicanDiaspora@yahoo.com.

We will advertise you affairs; knowing who you are and what you’re planning prevents us fromscheduling events on the same date. Remember-unity is strength and knowledge is power.

1 | Women TrailblazersMeet three outstanding Jamaican women, former first ladyBeverly Manley and poets Cherry Natural and Stacyann Chin.

5 | Insight on ImmigrationThis month Attorney Chester G. McLeod explains thegovernment changes that have taken place since 9/11 and havelead to an increase in deportation.

8 | CarifeteChicago’s Annual Carifete Festival heats up the summer streetswith the excitement of calypso, steel pan and elaboratemasquerade costumes.

9 | Choreographing a NationThe story of 1950s Folk Dance revolutionary Ivy Baxter andher impact on Jamaican dance-theatre.

13 | Mi Luv PatiosJamaica-speak for the computer age.

De pa rtments4 | Irie Diary

An island girl living in Norway, the land of the midnight sun?

6 | Arts & Entertainment

Interviews with Reggae greats of many genres.

10 | Tings a Gwann

Sheryl Lee Ralph and her exciting Cinema Inna Yard.

10 | Yardies Deh ‘BoutYvonne Brown is Someone You Should Know.

11 | World InsightInsight on the Rastafarian faith from writer Imani Kali-Nyah.

11 | Mek Wi TalkMr. Errol Hewitt shares his viewpoint on leadership.

12 | BooksAuthor Don Bruns shares insight about his novel Jamaica Blue.

12 | Caribbean Beauty AboundsMiss Jamaican World and Miss Jamaican Universe.

JAMAICAN DISAPORA is dedicated to Jamaicans,the Caribbean community and all progressive people.The Caribbean is a fusion of Europe, Asian and Africancultures.This eclectic mix has produced salsa,calypso and reggae just to name a few music styles.Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae and ska music – and “the rock”,as it is nicknamed by many, has made an international impact on every continent. Today’s hip hopmusic was in part due to Jamaican born Kool Herc, who moved to Bronx NY as a teenager. Nevertheless, music is not the only arena to have a Caribbean influence– the time has come to explore these avenues of influence.A portion of the magazine’s revenue is donated to the Jamaican American Club, a not for profit organization interested in health,education,environment andcultural pride. If you have a business,creative ideas or anything vital for the community’s well being, please contact us. One love and may peace be with you always.– Janice K.Maxwel,Editor in Chief

Women TrailblazersMeet three outsta ndi ng women th at exemplif y diver sity. These tra i l bla zers chose todefi ne themse lves rather than con form to norms th at were created by someone else .Their inde p endent spi rit va li d ates the Ja m a i can motto: “Out of many, one people” .

Beverly ManleyBeverly Manley When did you begin your cur rent endeavor?

Thirteen years ago when Anthony Abrahams, a former Minister inthe JLP Administration of the 1980’s asked me to join him on air forthe week-day morning discussion program, The Breakfast Club.During program we telephone experts from all over the world todiscuss issues of relevance to our audience.

Why should Caribbean women participate in events like theInternational Gender Conference?

Caribbean Women should participate because as long as one genderis discriminated against we will not have a level playing field ford eve l o p m e n t . The liberation of women is tantamount to theliberation of a country.

What issues are women in Jamaica and the Caribbean confronting?

Issues of Sexism abound. For example, in the age group 17 to 24twice as many women as men are unemployed. In instances ofdomestic violence when women begin to assert themselves,theresult is more battering from their male counterparts. Finally,there is need for more gender aware women on Private SectorBoards and in our Parliament and for more female CabinetMinisters in charge of traditional male Ministries – Ministries todo with Finance, Development and the Economy generally.

How can communities influence these trends?

Communities will influence these trends to the extent that theyare aware.This building of awareness is a continuous process. Aswomen and men see the opportunities that open up for thembecause of gender equity and equality they will become partnersin this struggle.

Lecturer, international Gender Consultant, Political Scientist and

Broadcaster, Beverly Anderson Manley was first lady of Jamaica in the

1970’s. She advocates for the oppressed and works tirelessly on behalf

of women and children. She travels extensively and has a vision to

transform Caribbean people wherever they are. She stresses the need

for Jamaicans at home and abroad to unite in investing in Jamaica and

together create abundance and prosperity in our great country. She

has two children from her marriage with Michael Manley, Natasha, a

Graduate of the University of Edinburgh and Events Planner in London;

and David Graduate of London University and a Marketer in London.

JAMAICAN DIASPORA Fall 2004 | 1

More Trailblazing Jamaican WomenMerlene Ottey – top female at h l e t e, winner in the Olympics &C o m m o n wealth Games.

Louise Bennett-Coverly – Jamaica'sforemost folklorist & writer, performed in patios and pioneered its acceptance.

Lady Bu sta m a nte – w i d ow ofAlexander Bustamante, in Ja m a i c a npolitics since 1930s.

Amy Jacques Garvey – wife of Marcus Garvey, helped spread hisphilosophy of black liberation.

Leonie Forbes – “Miss Lee”, Jamaica's First Ladyof Theatre & Film,garnered national andinternational recognition

Captain Maria Z adie - Modern dayAmelia Earhart,Air Jamaica's first femalepilot reached the captain in 1996.

Beverly ManleyBeverly Manley continued

In your poem “Live”there is a line that says “Move with the rhythm ofthe universe and receive the gift of creativity.” Do you consider dubpoetry your gift?

Once you are in tune with what is supposed to be yours,it willmanifest. My outlet for the arts is through the spoken word,which is used to uplift ones mind.I am a very natural person withmy hair and clothing and the spoken word is an extension of that.

Did you ever imagine that Rastafarians would have brought suchrecognition to Jamaican culture worldwide?

Marley being an ambassador for reggae music I always knew.Weare a very diverse community and our voices had to be heard.

2 | Fall 2004 JAMAICAN DIASPORA

How can the Caribbean islands remain viable?

The process for Caribbean integration is necessarily a slow one. Asa region we are separated by the Caribbean Sea and have largelybeen socialized into fragmentation rather than unity. Building thisintegration process from the bottom up, (e.g. Caribbean workingclass persons trading across the region as they do now);and fromthe top down (e.g. CARICOM and the CSME) will result in theviability of the region,bearing in mind that in a globalized world,strong regional blocks assume enormous importance.

When you we re Ja m a i c a ’s First Lady, you had a cameo role in them ovie “The Harder T h ey Come” was that your first filme x p e rience? W h at are your feelings about the impact of that film?

“The Harder They Come” was not my first film experience. I wastrained in film production and my major activities were behind thecamera.The issues of gender; race and social class presented inthat movie still exist in Jamaica and other Third World Countriestoday. Perry Henzell’s film is awesome because it depicts theseissues in a way that resonates with whoever is watching the movie.

M

Cherry NaturalCherry Natural

arica A. Wedderburn aka Cherry Natural is one of Jamaica’s leading

female poets and women’s rights activist. She is also a motivational

s p e a k e r, artist, writer, martial arts instructor, and Black Belt in

Modern Arnis. In 1989 she published her first book of poetry, C o m eMek Weh Reason. She participated in the First International Dub

P o e t ry Festival in Toronto and was nominated JAMI Aw a r d ’s best

female dub poet three years in a row. She appeared with Rita Marley

and other women reggae artists on the album Natty Queen Divas.

She represented Jamaica in the prestigious “Island Voices” writers

exchange program in England and was chosen to represent the entire

Caribbean.

Is there a difference between dub poetry and def poetry?

I feel it’s a little different in the rhythm of the voice.

A lot of your poems are in patios,is that to authenticate the Jamaican experience?

Yes,it’s my way of documenting the culture.

As a dub poet, is it better to read poems or listen to a live performance?

It’s better to perform live – the audiences remember theexperience longer.

What value do you place on dub poetry in particular and the arts in general?

A great value, all cultures have some form of art;it is a way topreserve ones identity. An artist will experiment in variousmediums to express and learn, such as creating music, writing oreven acting.

Live – by Cherry Natural

Meet life on its own terms.

Move with the rhythm of the universe and receive the gift ofcreativity.

Build harmony within.

Be that candle light to clear the pathway into the future.

You are the world.

You can make the change.

Bless each moment and touch each life with you essence.

Join Mother Nature and sing song with melodious harmony.

Use word magic to create lyrics to heal mankind soul.

Dew drops, tear drops and rain drops will sooth the hurt ofeach broken heart.

Let pain be the ladder on which you climb to reach for yourstrength.

Approach tomorrow with a brand new hope, and let the lifewithin you live as if you have never lived.

Light a candle with your love.

Photos of Ms. Natural Courtesy of Howard D.M.Lewis, Dannette Zaua and John Galuska

Staceyann Chin has been a working artist and practicing poet since

1998. She has won many honors including the Chicago People of

Color Slam, the Lambda Poetry Slam, Slam This, WORD: The First

Slam for Television and the American Amazon Slam title in Denmark.

Denmark so loved this vibrant writer on that her story and works

graced the cover of the national newspaper as well as the controversial

and spicy Ekstra Bladet. Her poems have been published in the New

York Times, Washington Post and Pittsburgh Daily and were featured

on 60 Minutes. A film about her, Stacyann Chin was shown in theaters

in Denmark and on Danish National Television. Between the Lines

explores the notion of being a Jamaican writer of Asian and African

descent.

You have stated that your light skin and private school upbringing,provided certain privileges in Jamaica.Is “shadism”still an issue for Jamaica?

Yes,up until the time I last visited,up until the time I last spoketo a person who lives there, people still prefer the attributes thatare associated with being of mixed race, and those most highlyprized are associated with whiteness.

Do you think it’s a gender related issue?”

I suspect that at its heart, race, class and heterosexism all meet toproduce a series of myths that keep certain “folks” in one place andanother group in another place.The myth of the large, darkskinned Negro was perpetuated to warrant the brutality used to“protect” the white woman’s virtue.The converse is equally true –“Helen” for whom all of “Troy” was sent to war had to be at adisadvantage – helpless, pale and slight.

Do your works reflect the Asian of your Jamaican heritage?

Yes and No. I exist as a Black Phenotype in America.Any privilegethat being half Chinese allowed in Jamaica has shifted in America.Here the one-drop rule is evident.A little Black makes you Black– little Asian mixed in makes you not much of anything outside ofBlack. I think it is safe to say I am informed by my Asian-ness,itcolors my Blackness,and gives me license to explore what it reallymeans to be a creature of mixed heritage.

Stacyann ChinStacyann ChinWhat messages do you send with your poetry?

When I place my pen to a page or my mouth to a microphone Iseek to present parts of a self I see as absent when I look at art,pop culture and politics in the canon of historical reference.

Did you “come out”in the U.S.or Jamaica?

In Jamaica.It was one of the life-changing experiences of my life. Ithink coming out under those conditions made me an activist.

Jamaica’s mainstream culture is ultra-conservative, was thereopposition to your sexual preference?

Yes,so much so that I decided it was safer to move to America. Ihave lived here as an out lesbian since.

In one of your poems, you mentioned the countries rejection of you;nevertheless, you still write about “yard”and you still visit.What isthe magic about Jamaica that creates this bond to the island?

It is important;for within the context of visibility, people whoidentify as Jamaicans are at cross purposes with some of thetraditions,to visit the island,to speak about the Jamaica that istheir reality- only then can the faith of the new Jamaica besculpted to reflect the diversity of heritage that has always andcontinues to define the place from which Marcus Garvey, MerleneOttey, Bob Marley, Madge Sinclair and Lorna Goodinson sprung.

Where will you tour this year?

Wherever the words take me, I am in Australia now, I haveStockholm and London and Honolulu and Parts of Africa on theagenda. Jamaica will see me this year and of course, all acrossAmerica,there are places to scream and sing and dance and…

Haiku For My Mother by Stacyann Chin

Chinaman left her

black child in her flat belly

rockstone in her heart

JAMAICAN DIASPORA Fall 2004 | 3

Visit:www.stacyannchin.com

4 | Fall 2004 JAMAICAN DIASPORA

It happens every time – when I’m asked "Where are you from?" and I say Jamaica, Iget the same response: "Ooh, Jamaica, it’s so beautiful there", and then in the samebreath: "Why on earth would you choose to live here in Norway then?" It’s a simpleenough answer I guess, My wonderful husband is Norwegian and we decided to livehere. Well, actually, it was I more than him who wanted to live here. He would haveloved to live in Jamaica, but I wanted to try something different, and we both knewthat it would be easier for us start out in life here.

Most people who have heard of Norway think of Oslo, it’s capital city, or Lillehammer,where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held. It was there that Jamaica's four-manbobsled team finished 14th, (ahead the United States, France, Russia and Italy), andtheir two-man sled beat the Swedish national champions, coming in 10th place.Coincidentally, their team coach is from Norway.

So why did this Yardie move to Norway? My name is ShelleyWeston Skog, I’m 27 yearsold.I grew up in a little district called Boston (ever heard of Boston Jerked Pork?),inPortland,about 9 miles from Port Antonio. After finishing school,I went to work, butwas never satisfied – as I had always wanted to travel I applied to several cruise linesand soon was working in the Purser’s department on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Thecruise ship was one of the best experiences of my life – I have been blessed to havetravelled to over 48 countries and met amazing people from all over the world, butmost importantly, I met my husband,Øyvind, who was an engineer on board.

We were married in Port Antonio, Jamaica (of course) in an excellent ceremony.Twomonths later I was off to Norway. Øyvind and I now have a son,Aleksander, who is 6months old. We settled in Bodø,in northern Norway – translation: very cold winters,midnight sun in the summers,and almost total darkness in the winter. But Bodø is anice city, and has everything you want and need,without being too big.

I’ve met many people from different countries here – Turkey, the Philippines,Thailand, the Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, England, Algeria, Burundi,Brazil, Romania, Yugoslavia, and more. Unfortunately, I haven’t met anyone fromJamaica,or even the Caribbean.

Most Norwegians are Protestant.The government isa democracy, with a parliament and Prime Minister.Their royal family are very down to earth and livemore or less normally and for that they are muchrespected. Crime in Norway is very low. When apoliceman was murdered recently it was a big thingas he was only the seventh policeman to be killedhere since World War II.There is no death penaltynor life sentence – the maximum time for any crimeis 21 years.

Last year Norway was named third best country inthe world for women with children to live (behindSweden and Denmark) and this year, it is ranked thebest country overall.The state is very supportive ofmothers and their children. Prenatal and maternitycare are free. Children under twelve receive freemedical check ups and vaccinations – even dentalcare is free for children. Money is provided top u r chase cri b s , c l o t h e s , s t ro l l e rs and so on.Monetary assistance is provided for children throughschool age and education is free through highschool.

While there are downsides to living in Norway –winters are really cold,summers short,high incometax is unbelievably high, and I can’t find a hair salonthat can do my hair – life is much easier here than itwould have been for us in Jamaica,which is very sadfor me. Jamaica can be such a wonderful place. I missthe island, but am very well taken care of by myl oving husband, and this re m a r k a bl e, b e a u t i f u lcountry, and for that I am very grateful.

A YARDY IN NORWAY?

IRIE DIARY

IRIE DIARY and Photos Courtesy of ShellyWeston Slog

JAMAICAN DIASPORA Fall 2004 | 5

INSIGHT ON IMMIGRATION

Reorganization Leads to More Deportation of AliensAfter 9/11 the United States government reorganized twenty-twofederal agencies under the Homeland Security Act (HSA). Thenewly formed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is theagency that oversees these agencies. One of the main missions of theDHS is to prevent terrorist attacks and it is responsible forcoordination with other federal agencies and state and local lawenforcement agencies. Even before the Homeland Security Act waspassed,the USA Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America byProviding Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and ObstructTerrorism) law was passed to provide federal agencies greaterauthority to track and intercept communications of suspectedterrorists or organizations affiliated with terrorists. It also allowsthe President and the Department of Justice, to designate anyorganization or individual a terrorist and freeze their assets andprovides stricter regulations for entry by aliens into the U.S.

In March 2003 the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)became obsolete and was divided into three bureaus.The largest isthe Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Itprocesses applications for citizenship, administers the Visa programand provides services for new residents and citizens.The remainingbureaus are the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement(BICE) and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP).The agency in charge of deporting a resident alien is the BICE.Theaverage Caribbean person has definitely felt the sweeping changesthroughout the world,especially in the U.S.since September 2001.

In April 2003, in the case of INS v. Hyung Joon Kim, the SupremeCourt ruled that a permanent legal resident, convicted of a crime,may be held in jail without bail prior to deportation – even if theINS has not determined that the legal resident poses a danger tosociety or is a flight risk.Mr. Kim was born in South Korea,enteredthe U.S. in 1984 at six and became a permanent resident in 1986.In 1996, he was convicted of first-degree burglary, and wasc o nvicted of a second crime in 1997. Based on Mr. K i m ’sconvictions, the INS charged him with being deportable anddetained him pending his removal hearing. An appellate court ruledthat Mr. Kim should not be held without bail because the INS didnot provide sufficient justification for a “no-bail” detention. TheSupreme Court reversed the appellate court’s decision and ruled infavor of Mr. Kim’s detention, reasoning that Congress specificallygave the Attorney General the authority to take into custody anyalien who is removable from the United States because he or she has

Issues surrounding immigration are confusing and complex –

compounded by the climate in today’s world. Jamaican Diaspora

recognizes the importance of staying knowledgeable about

immigration policies and issues. In the words of Marcus Garvey, “In

wisdom they shall ever grow*.” In an effort to help our readers gain

knowledge on this important subject we present a series on

immigration issues with the help of contributing experts.

This week our contributor is esteemed attorney Chester G. McLeod

whose areas of expertise include: Criminal Law, Family Law and

Immigration Law. Mr. McLeod was born in Manchester, Jamaica,

attended Chicago State University, received his law degree from

Southern Illinois University, became a member of the bar in 1995 and

practices law in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Next Issue: Obtaining a Visa by Attorney Marlin Kirby

been convicted of one a specified set of crimes. The Court alsoreasoned “that one the major cause of the INS’ failure to removedeportable criminal aliens was the agency’s failure to detain thosealiens during their deportation proceedings.

It is clear from this case that the government will be allowed tosuppress an individual’s rights in order to deport criminal aliens.The Supreme Court based its ruling on findings including thatconfinement of criminal aliens alone cost $724 million in 1990 andthat at 25% of all federal prisoners, criminal aliens are the fastestgrowing segment of the federal prison population. They reasoned,“that the INS could not even identify most deportable aliens, muchless locate them and remove them from the country”and added thatdeported criminal aliens reenter the country illegally in greatnumbers.

The Supreme Court has basically said that the U.S. needs tougherlaws against aliens who have committed crimes, even if they havebeen permanent residents for many ye a rs. Most people ofCaribbean decent know someone who has been deported. One ofthe most important benefits of becoming a citizen is that anaturalized citizen cannot be deported,unless the government findsinformation that was not known when the person became a citizenor that lied on their application.

Becoming a citizen is easy and inexpensive if done correctly. Thisarticle cannot address all the implications of past conduct;thereforeanyone who thinks they may have committed a bad act or crime inthe past should consult with an immigration attorney beforecompleting the application for naturalization. Certain offenses willhave to be disclosed or may show up on your criminal record andcould lead to deportation. Applicants for naturalization can bedenied citizenship because of the following reasons: not filingincome tax every year, not paying income taxes, voting (onlycitizens can vote), intentional failure to pay child support, andclaiming to be a citizen to get a mortgage or other benefits.Basically, you have to be a person of goodmoral character to become a citizen.

The qualifications and re q u i rements va rywith age, marriage status, and length of legalresidency. If you understand English,are over17, mentally competent, and have been alegal resident at least 5 years (3 years if you are

*From his poem “Those Who Know”,Selections from the Poetic Meditations of Marcus Garvey (1927) continued on page 13Contributing author

Attorney Chester G. McLeod