Cliff Hughes - a passion for news - JamaicaObserver.com

Cliff Hughes - a passion for news - JamaicaObserver.com

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Lady Bustamante's Legacy

We are thankful that our dear recently departed Lady Bustamante took the time and care to write her memoirs. The Memoirs of Lady Bustamante (Kingston Publishers), the former Gladys Longbridge, is generously sprinkled with the Who’s Who of the past seventy years and makes great reading for all Jamaicans, regardless of your politics.

Constantly at the side of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, she gives a riveting account of Jamaica’s emerging labour movement, the birth of our two major political parties and the triumph of Independence.

Born in Westmoreland, Lady B studied commercial subjects at Tutorial College with several notables, including educator Wesley Powell. She applied for and easily landed a job with the handsome financier Mr Bustamante, whose concern for the poor was expressed in many letters to the Gleaner and at community meetings. One evening Busta was invited onstage at Victoria Park by the fiery St William Grant to address the crowd. “The people cheered,” recalls Lady B, “and in the end, Grant told them that he was prepared to join forces with Bustamante, even as he had joined with Garvey.”

While Bustamente served as Treasurer of the Jamaica Workers and Tradesmen Union, founded by another Garveyite, A.G.S Coombs, a young accountant named Florizel Glasspole was chief organiser of The Clerk’s Union, founded by the distinguished Jamaican Erasmus Campbell.

On Monday, May 23, 1938, thousands of port workers took strike action and marched to Victoria Park to get direction from their leader, Bustamante. Lady B was there at that watershed moment in our history, when a police inspector aimed his gun at the crowd, and Sir Alex bared his chest, declaring, “Shoot me, but leave these defenceless hungry people alone!”

The next day Busta and Grant were arrested, resulting in islandwide protest. Lady B recalls the strong bond between Bustamante and his cousin, the celebrated lawyer and fellow National Hero, Norman Manley. With Kingston in a state of disorder, Edna Manley telegraphed her husband who was in Frome, to return immediately. “Her urgent call to Mr Manley made a difference that week,” writes Lady B. She recalls that during the strike at the waterfront, “Edna Manley …and Aggie Bernard…helped to look after relief meals …with Bustamente in jail, Norman Manley became very active.” In June 1938, the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union was formed and grew rapidly. “Norman Manley had supplied us with an initial list of two thousand potential members,” writes Lady B.

Manley with a task force that included young Howard Cooke, then launched the People’s National Party in September 1938, with Bustamante joining its metropolitan group. During his two-year detention at Up Park Camp, a rift developed and soon after he was freed, the JLP was formed in July 1943. Bustamante spotted a bright young man who produced the organisation’s publication, The Jamaica Worker, and mentored him. His name was Hugh Lawson Shearer.

The “yeoman work of the late Professor Sir John Golding” was recalled as she recounts the serious outbreak of poliomyelitis in 1954, as well as the “deep love and abiding interest” of Sammy Henriques and his daughter Norma. She tells us of an endearing youngster, Seragh Lakasingh, and his eventual marriage to the beautiful Effie Curtis who also was a favourite of the Bustamantes: “These two have been by my side through thick and thin, and remain near to my heart to this day.”

On their first trip to England in 1948, they were met by a young Jamaican student, Gladstone Mills, and they visited with members of Jamaica’s Olympic team Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley who later won gold and silver medals in the summer event.
When the PNP won the 1955 elections, the JLP reorganised itself “with such outstanding politicians as Donald Sangster, Clement Tavares, Robert Lightbourne, Herbert Eldemire and Rose Leon.”

Bustamante’s “take charge” approach is described lightheartedly when Lady B talks about their marriage: “He just announced to me that he was going to marry me.” This took place in September 1962, a few months after the JLP won the general elections and Sir Alex was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica.

On Sir Alex’s retirement in 1967, they moved to “Bellencita” in Irish Town, where they enjoyed gardening and light farming. They stayed in touch with Jamaica’s young leaders. Of Edward Seaga she writes, “He has been a tower of strength …His care and concern has created a close bond between us.” On National Heroes Day, October 20, 1975, exactly 28 years ago, she recalls that “Prime Minister Michael Manley with his wife Beverley paid us a visit … spending an enjoyable time with us.” She remembers Sir Alex’s last official appearance that afternoon, at the Salute to Heroes ceremony at the National Stadium where they received a tumultuous welcome.

When Sir Alex passed away on August 6, 1977, Lady B “was paralysed with grief.” She forced herself to stay active, still continuing to serve as Treasurer of the BITU for 59 unbroken years until 1997, and lent her support to many causes including her beloved Bustamante Hospital for Children.

I have my own story of the Bustamantes. Since they were old friends of my parents-in-law Ralph ‘Justice’ and Ruby Chin, I was taken to in Irish Town in 1972 so they could meet the fiancée of the Chins’ son. We were warmly welcomed by Lady B, who ushered us into the bedroom where Sir Alex was resting . He was a striking figure, still a lion in the winter of his years. “Chief,” said Lady B, “Hubie has brought his fiancée to meet us.” His eyesight failing, Sir Alex called out,“Come here, my dear and give me a hug!” He smoothed my hair, caressed my face and exclaimed, “But Hubie, you’re a lucky man – this is a beautiful girl.” Joy!

Senate Passes Sexual Offences Bill after Long Debate

Kindly sent by Jennifer Williams
Director
Policy and Research, Bureau of Women's Affairs

KINGSTON (JIS):
Saturday, July 18, 2009

The landmark Sexual Offences Bill, which reforms and amalgamates various laws relating to rape, incest and other sexual offences, was finally passed by the Senate today (July 17).

The Bill will repeal the Incest (Punishment) Act, as well as several provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act. It also provides for the establishment of a Sex Offenders Registry, which will maintain a register of sex offenders.

It was passed in the House of Representatives on March 31, tabled in the Senate in April and the debate started in May. However, over a lengthy process in the Senate, 28 amendments were made before the Bill was passed.

These amendments cover a number of crucial provisions, including: violation of persons suffering from mental disorders; procuring violations by threats, fraud or administering drugs; abduction of children to have sexual intercourse; unlawful detention to have sexual intercourse; living on earnings from prostitution; and protecting the anonymity of complainants and witnesses.

The Bill also provides a statutory definition of rape, as well as provisions relating to marital rape, specifying the circumstances in which such rape may be committed.

It was piloted through the Senate by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who is also the Leader of Government Business.

In her closing remarks, Senator Lightbourne noted that the Bill was examined rigorously by Senate, and that the members had, in large part, made useful comments on the provisions.

Senator Navel Clarke who spoke on behalf of the Opposition members, welcomed its passage. He described the Bill as being "in the interest of the people", and expressed the hope that the Senate will continue in that direction.

Malahoo Forte – a woman for our time

Marlene Malahoo Forte, being sworn in by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen as a senator and state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, at King's House last week. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Jean Lowrie-Chin | Observer column | 21 JUL 09

Halfway through a Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) advocacy meeting a few years ago, we realised that we had not designated a note-taker. Not a problem for Justice Marlene Malahoo Forte who immediately volunteered and gave us a flawless report. She also took the time to prepare a comprehensive presentation for our group on inheritance matters, which was a real eye-opener. Here, we realised, was an individual of high intellect who was no prima donna.

We were not surprised therefore, to hear that she was one of 18 selected from a field of over 900 exceptional young leaders to win a place in the Yale World Fellows Program. As if that were not enough, she was selected immediately after completion, for the Mason Fellows Program at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government – a unique segue for a ‘country girl’ who spent most of her early years in the western Jamaican town of Savanna-la-mar.

The culture of that venerable old school Mannings where young Marlene Malahoo was Head Girl, has never failed to fascinate me. It was the first free school in Jamaica, built in 1738 on lands with funds bequeathed by a planter, Thomas Manning. I always looked admiringly at my relatives in their Mannings uniform, stopping by our little shop in Sav-la-mar. They were so well spoken, so focused on excellence.

This is the Mannings, born of a maverick’s vision, which produced our fine new Senator and State Minister who recalls doing as much outreach work as study at her school. As Owen James said at her swearing in at King’s House last Wednesday, “she is quite a catch”. Yes, we have heard the complaints about big government and I agree that some trimming can be done elsewhere, but Jamaica, this lady is a rare talent and this is a time when we need the most capable hands on deck.

“My fellowship at Yale in 2007 (the Yale World Fellows Program) focused on global challenges and the kind of leadership required to tackle some of the most pressing problems today,” she said. “I also looked at the area of Corruption, Democracy & Development.”

From Yale she went on to Harvard: “One of my Yale professors suggested the Mason Fellow Program,” she said. At Harvard she studied Public Administration, Public Policy and Management, concentrating in Political Advocacy and Leadership.”
Jamaica, it sounds as if we have a qualified, well-connected public servant – if only there were more like her, we wouldn’t be paying our taxes with such heavy hearts. Malahoo Forte has for the past two years, studied and pondered world issues with other high achieving international young leaders.

“Both programmes are excellent networks at the global level, through which we fellows gain access to myriad international institutions, heads of states and high government and institutional officials,” she states.

With these credentials Malahoo Forte, the prizewinning graduate of the Norman Manley Law School, the Commonwealth Scholar who gained the Master of Laws with Merit from King’s College in London would have been the pride of any law firm and could have the pick of international positions.

To my question, “There are many who say that though they want to help their country, they are afraid of politics - how do you view this?” Malahoo Forte answers, “I understand that their fears are real. Each one must determine for him/herself what s/he can or cannot deal with. Our dream for a better Jamaica will not be realized if well-intentioned Jamaicans allow their fears to cripple them. Some of us must serve in the political arena, because very critical decision-making seats exist there.”

Her strong faith shines through: “The national interest must be given priority. My trust is in the Lord. I am confident that where He sends us He will equip us.”

This was a faith nurtured by her mother, Euphema (nee Dunn, now Vanhorne). “As a child my mother made my siblings and me take turns carrying meals to an old lady in our community, who had no one to take care of her,” recalls Malahoo Forte.
Her late father, Alexander Malahoo of Paul Island was a big source of inspiration to her. . “He always told me that true beauty comes from within,” she says. “That I must never lose the will to make a difference when I have the way to do so.”

Another mentor was an Englishman, John Revil who taught her at Mannings: “He told me that because he saw so much talent in me I should ensure that my best is comparable to the best anywhere in the world and that I should never settle for being a big fish in a small pond.”

Harvard in 2008 was no “small pond.” Malahoo Forte was able to follow from those hallowed grounds, the progress of another Harvard star, Barack Hussein Obama, as he made his claim on the highest office in the USA. “It was nothing short of amazing to be in the US and at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) during the 2008 US Presidential Elections,” she recalls. “We met numerous members of the Obama and McCain campaign teams, including their managers. We observed the shifts in the political culture that Obama brought ... it was an unforgettable experience.”

Like US Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, Malahoo Forte has served her country’s justice system with distinction in the posts of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Judge of the Resident Magistrate Courts.

When I bemoaned the low percentage of women in political leadership, she offered, “We need to support women who exercise critical leadership and not tear them down. We must never forget that we can disagree, respectfully so, and it does not mean the other person is against you.”

As the new President of the WLI (Women’s Leadership Initiative) to succeed the phenomenal Pat Ramsay, Malahoo Forte will be well positioned to inspire like-minded women to take up the challenge.

'Queen Ifrica is a creative, life-enhancing individual '

From Kay Osborne

Jean, I’ve attached for your use a copy of my presentation at the launch of Queen Ifrica’s remarkable new album titled Montego Bay. Queen Ifrica is the talented artiste who last year sang the powerful anti-incest anthem, Daddy, which is on the Montego Bay album. Queen Ifrica is among the few dancehall artistes who have not succumbed to the lure of violent and explicit lyrics and instead writes and performs songs that empower and celebrate. Kay


This gathering serves a single purpose: To celebrate our Jamaican, Rastafarian, sister, mother, daughter, Queen…Ifrica and to thank her for dropping her sophomore album, titled Montego Bay which is also Queen Ifrica’s debut album for VP Records. Montego Bay is an awesome collection of sounds that showcases the inner workings of the mind and heart of a gifted songwriter, DJ, singer, performer, social commentator.

With this album, it is clear that this unique, woman-of-truth has something worthwhile to say and to contribute. Things are going on in societies all over the world that need urgent, lyrical intervention that Queen Ifrica delivers with authenticity and grace. This is why Queen Ifrica’s lyrics and riddims resonate inside our heads, penetrate our hearts and enrich our souls.

Derrick Morgan’s daughter, Ventrice, who is widely known as Queen Ifrica, began singing as a child. Later, a Club Inferno date became an important milestone. Still later, under maestro Tony Rebel’s guidance, Queen Ifrica and her collaborators have created the body of work that we celebrate this evening. In 2007 Queen Ifrica’s big hit, Below the Waist, foreshadowed what was to come. Last year, Queen Ifrica followed up with the musical tome, Daddy that earned our everlasting respect.

This evening, ladies and gentlemen, we are also here to give thanks and praise for Tony Rebel and others who have contributed enormously to this awesome, musical gift to the world titled, Montego Bay. The excellent production works of featured producers, Donovan Germain, Christopher Hurst, Donovan "Don Corleon" Bennett, Kemar McGregor, Adrian & Steve Locke, Rickman Warren, and the inimitable Tony Rebel.

On one level, "Montego Bay’s" opening nyahbingi drumming and chant T.T.P.N.C. is a reverent tribute to the Pitfour Nyahbinghi Center. The tune also foreshadows the musical feast that follows. When Queen Ifrica chants…The Lily of the Valley, This Bright and Morning Star, we are reminded of Queen Ifrica herself.
Help me Make wise the simple…
Let the words of I mouth
And the meditation of I heart be acceptable in thy sight….

Friends, Queen Ifrica’s words are indeed acceptable for they arise from a space that is pure in spirit; a spirit that is introspective, self aware, and, above all, supremely confident. The music pours forth from a heart that is gentle and compassionate, from lips that know tact, a soul that is emotionally honest and humane.

And so the lyrics and riddims merge with irony, solemnity, humor, all the time delivered with authority and sensitivity so we come to understand that a woman can at once be vulnerable and emotionally strong.

Ladies and gentlemen, By their works ye shall know them. What do these well known words mean? The phrase means that an artiste’s body of work reflects something essential about him or her. It is through his or her work that we come to know the creator of the work.

With Montego Bay it is clear that Queen Ifrica is a skilled and talented artiste. But she’s no mere artiste. Queen Ifrica is a creative, life-enhancing individual who is also an artiste.

When you relax and let Queen Ifrica’s music penetrate your consciousness, you come to realize that this beautiful sister has transcended self consciousness and has freed herself psychologically to draws inspiration from a wide range of sources that she transforms into something beautiful, no matter how ugly and repulsive the source material. By so doing, Queen Ifrica consistently brings something unique, original and beautiful into the world. This quality marks a psychologically whole person who has much to contribute.

As if this were not enough, Queen Ifrica’s music presents a paradox for she expresses the personal universally: She creates music that resonates with boundless meaning. Queen Ifrica’s music says to us that she is the kind of person on whom nothing is lost for she turns everything, good and bad, into something of value for the ultimate benefit of humanity.

By contrast, a large chunk of Jamaican music has degenerated into a dysfunctional performance culture that is characterized by narcissism, exhibitionism, hedonism, image-manipulation, image worship, where packaging is ranked over substance and the mere ability to attract attention is rewarded as a major achievement. The pursuit of excellence replaced by opportunism, grace and class subsumed by crass and coarse. In this scenario, everything is reduced to violent or sexualized denominators that are commoditized, packaged and sold to a youthful audience that no longer can distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad, delectable and vile.

The music operatives are less concerned with values and principles or the use of musical talents for the common good. The music serves to display personalities who claim their “specialness,” and are so revered, regardless of the devastating collateral damage.

Far too much of our music has come to serve disturbed scoundrels of both genders with calculated positions that corrupt, manipulate and seed chaos. Crude objectification of women is rationalized by academics who ought to know better. Children’s natural curiosity and innocence are warped by goal seeking perverts and predators who find refuge and support inside the music and transportation businesses and among communication practitioners whose main concern is to attract attention so the public can be sold something, anything.

This is why so much of our music has degenerated into what is slack, explicit, degrading, disrespectful, demeaning, exploitive, violent, stabbin’, daggerin’, murderin,’ with no redeeming quality. Yet, despite this chaotic milieu that threatens dominance, Queen Ifrica makes the conscious choice to forego the beguiling bling of the valley of the shadow of death. She chooses her culture path that reinforces her values that are informed by self love and high self regard.

From TTPNC to the Spanish version of Daddy, Queen Ifrica provides a musical feast that nourishes, challenges, empowers, seduces, even as it rocks and entertains. All aspects of the new album, the lyrics, vocals, backing, sound quality, production are marked by exquisite taste and quality.

Title track Montego Bay is extraordinary social commentary that is informed by the writer’s power of observation and courage.
The lyrics, riddim, vocals combine to one drop the stinking irony that is Montego Bay, the full hundred.

The repetitive Welcome to Montego Bay line mocks and deplores sin city’s exclusive wealth and white that’s juxtaposed against black and blight exclusion. In the end, Montego Bay is a universal lamentation for justice.

Coconut Shell is no ordinary herbalist anthem. It is a fresh and innovative Satta riddim that rocks herbalists and non-herbalists alike.

"Lioness On The Rise" celebrates women but the astute songwriter is well aware that whenever rules change in the middle of the game, the lioness is harmed and so she may not rise. This is why the qualifier, Once the rules remain the same repeats and repeats for all who have ears to hear.

The deceptively simple love tune, "Far Away" is a deceptively celebrates seduction and feminine guile that men find irresistible. The tenderness, yearning, enticing, implicit promise….Notice that nothing is explicit yet everything is said.

Perhaps the good advice and professionalism in "Don't Sign" bears witness to a pattern of professionalism and wisdom that is passed down from one generation of musicians to another, from Derrick Morgan to Ventrice Morgan aka Queen Ifrica,, from Jimmy to Taurus Riley, Cat to Shya Coore, Lloyd Parks to Left Side, Denroy Morgan to Morgan Heritage, the Marleys all, Ibo to Ariff Cooper, Freddie McGregor and Judy Moyatt to Yashema McGregor, and to Steven and Chino McGregor, and among the Hammond family. This is an area of research that academics could contribute something worthwhile. Help us understand whether these generational relationships are predictors for professionalism and conscious riddims. Maybe they are, maybe not.

The Kemar McGregor produced, worldwide hit, Daddy is not just a lament and revelation. It is a call to action against malevolence and the culture of silence that abets it. With this song, the girl-child has come to know that she is as sick as her deepest secret and so she is compelled to tell on you - Daddy I swear…and so she finds healing and becomes whole with this bawling out. The story teller knows the secret power of words to heal and to bring freedom.
"Keep It To Yourself" is clever obfuscation. Why risk controversy and confusion when “don’t want no fish in me ital dish?” will do? Parables galore….I’ll leave it at that, except to say that the tune is not about vegetarianism as one analyst claims.

Solemn and sad Streets are Bloody reminds me of Simone and Makeba. Life, love and keep this life, don’t mistreat this life, is straight up Makeba….the superb guitar work reminds me of Clapton, world class, kudos to producer Tony Rebel, this is a gem.

In summary, Queen Ifrica’s Montego Bay is a musical treasure that reflects the good heart and open soul that resides within this music. Thank you Queen Ifrica and your collaborators. Thank you especially Mr. Tony Rebel with all the honours.