History has been one of my favourite subjects since Primary school so it’s not surprising that my family history is important to me. Black History Month is a good opportunity to think about our ancestry. Like many Jamaican's my ancestry is a mix-up and blend up! My great-grandfather on my dad's side was white Irish. This knowledge answered a few questions about my family … [Read more...] about Tracing my roots
Our Story
The spread of Islam in Africa
Africa is the second largest continent in the world made up of 54 countries. There are many different religions in Africa and some of them have been celebrating their faith, telling their stories and teaching their principles for thousands of years. Islam has been in Africa for so long since its beginning on the Arabian Peninsula that some scholars have argued that it is a … [Read more...] about The spread of Islam in Africa
6 facts about Jamaica’s debt
For over 40 years the people of Jamaica have suffered under the weight of massive debt. Jamaica is one of the most indebted countries and spends twice as much on debt repayments as it does on education and health combined. Conditions imposed with loans mean that foreign institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dictate policies and spending within Jamaica. … [Read more...] about 6 facts about Jamaica’s debt
African Americans experience higher arrest related deaths
Racial disproportionality in the US criminal justice system is a fact that can be proved with statics. This could help to explain why a young black woman like Sandra Bland could end up dead after a routing traffic violation. As Sandra Bland’s death has been ruled as a suicide let’s look at statistics for deaths in police custody. Low suicide rate among Black inmates When … [Read more...] about African Americans experience higher arrest related deaths
Ackee and Saltfish – a match made in taste bud heaven
Ackee and Saltfish is the National Dish of Jamaica but neither ingredient is of Jamaican origin. Ackee Ackee is derived from the original name Ankye that comes from the Twi language of Ghana. It’s botanical name, Blighia sapida, was given in honour of Captain William Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame. Captain Bligh brought ackee plants from Jamaica to Kew Botanical Gardens … [Read more...] about Ackee and Saltfish – a match made in taste bud heaven
Street Boys of Jamaica
Jamaica has a population of 2.7 million people and 1.1 million people live below the poverty line. It’s no wonder then that some young children are the breadwinners for their families, often weaving in and out of cars selling goods or washing windscreens. Street Boys of Jamaica shines a spotlight on these boys and the dangers they … [Read more...] about Street Boys of Jamaica
Billie Holiday sings Strange Fruit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs Originally written as a poem "Strange Fruit" by Abel Meeropol became a song performed famously by Billie Holiday. Meeropol, a white, Jewish high school teacher from the Bronx and a member of the Communist Party wrote it as a protest against lynchings. His inspiration came from the photograph by Lawrence Beitler of the 1930 lynching … [Read more...] about Billie Holiday sings Strange Fruit
Origins of Black Friday and other lies told to us
Toni Braxton posted a call to boycott Black Friday on her Facebook page with an image of a slave auction and text claiming that Black Friday was linked to slave auctions the day after Thanksgiving. This post did the rounds on Facebook and Twitter helping to miseducate generations of Black people. Celebs have the power to do so much good if only they would educate themselves … [Read more...] about Origins of Black Friday and other lies told to us
Who are Boko Haram and what do they want?
Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group based in northern Nigeria and founded in 2002. It has been terrorising Nigerians through assassinations and bombings for several years. They want to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state, imposing Sharia law. Boka Haram means “Western education is sinful but the group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna … [Read more...] about Who are Boko Haram and what do they want?
Belgian newspaper De Morgen apologises for racist Obama picture
In March 2014, a Belgian newspaper who published a Photoshopped image of Barack and Michelle Obama looking like apes in the name of satire, had to apologise. After being accused of racism De Morgen admit that they made an error in judgement and published a statement saying: When you consider the fragment apart from its context, which is a properly worked out … [Read more...] about Belgian newspaper De Morgen apologises for racist Obama picture