GOOD AS GOLD

There is so much to say about the 'amazing" for lack of a more appropriate adjective, young Jamaican track and field team and their performance in Bejing and now Berlin. I will not mention the performance of Usain Bolt, since the pages of this electronic journal cannot purvey the emotion he brought out of me on Sunday. The skeptics are allowed to do their jobs and question his integrity. Meanwhile, this interview with GOLD MEDALIST SHELLY-ANN FRASER speaks to the motivation and spirit of the team. She is so echt and exudes such positive energy.....

Longing for home, marooned in America

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Tamika Francis the pungent odour of the onions rotting in my kitchen due to negligence, reminds of primary school. Trekking through Coronation market and Tivoli back market on my way to catch the Waterhouse 'pattypan'. Juice Vendors. Higglers. Hustlers. Fathers. Gunshot. Duck! School in East Kingston. Home in West Kingston. Educated on the journey. Lessons transcend uptown, downtown, red, green. ....what one onion can do?

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Jamaica Gleaner News - Youth conference kicks off today - Lead Stories - Tuesday | August 4, 2009

Jamaica Gleaner News - Youth conference kicks off today - Lead Stories - Tuesday | August 4, 2009

More than 200 young people between the ages of 18 and 35 will today assemble at theUniversity of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, to participate in the first ever Future Leadership Jamaica Diaspora Conference to be held in Jamaica.

If the pronouncements of delegates from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, who represented 128 young persons who have flown in for the conference, are anything to go by, the expectations of youth delegates are great.

Three representatives who were present at a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday, were clearly enthusiastic about the prospects of the inaugural event.

Laying a foundation

"I am happy that the conference will be laying a foundation for a connection of minds across the diaspora and Jamaica," said Saffron Jackson of the United Kingdom. "I hope that these young minds will utilise their skills and expertise for the development of Jamaica."

A representative from the United States, David Mullings, appeared just as enthusiastic.

"I expect increased communication and best practices from the other regions on how to engage other young persons from our generation," he said. Kaysia Johnson was also in harmony with the expectations of her peers.

"I expect that at the end we will emerge with a strong quorum of young persons who will promote the mandate of building a strong Jamaica in the diaspora," she asserted.

State minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Ronald Robinson, revealed that the 128 overseas-based youth delegates are to be joined by another 80 locally based youths.

Strengthen the network

"One of the innovative features of this conference is that we have drawn young people from the gamut of youth clubs across Jamaica ... . The aim is to get them to interact with the delegates from overseas in order to strengthen the network," Robinson said.

He disclosed that the main outcome of the conference is expected to be the formulation of strategies and action plans to assist in the sharing of information, exchange of ideas, promotion of positive role models, and the fostering of self-esteem of youth.

"This conference will give future leaders ownership in the diaspora movement," Robinson said.

Robinson said the concept of the diaspora conference emerged out of the mandate of the 2006 and 2008 Jamaican Diaspora conferences, which identified the need to engage young Jamaicans living overseas in the process of national development.

The conference is being structured around two major activities: workshops complemented by network sessions.

The workshops will focus on business and entrepreneurship; education and the future; mentorship; engaging youth in governance; crime and violence; and culture and spirituality.

And she's off

I dream of going to Jamaica. Daily. Twice during winter months. This time my trip is not for me nor my family.

I am going to serve, to participate, brainstorm, dig in, get dirty....okay. I am going to a conference. I was trying to go for a high octane description......

The Jamaican Diaspora Future Leaders Conference. August 3-8th, on the campus for my undergraduate school.

I am excited for the learning, the meet and greet, the energy...the desire to do. Do something that matters.

The Reluctant Immigrant

I left Jamaica, my love, 4 years ago. I moved to the US to be with my then boyfriend, now husband and love of my life.  Not in search of anything - no milk, no honey, no better opportunity. Moving here was the one thing I always said I wouldn't do. The last 4 years have been bitter sweet. While I am not yet me.

I am in a better place today than I was even a 1 day ago.

Although I still speak of living in Jamaica in the present tense.

I am not a Ja-merican or any other hyphenated or concocted pseudo American. I am a daughter, wife, friend, sister, dreamer, worker etc who happens to live in America. Being an immigrant does not define me. 

As a reluctant immigrant, my conversations tend to shock people. I am going to use this space to sort out a few hesitations, perception, misconceptions and opportunities.

Tamika