Reflections: Life and Death

We all expect to live until old age. We expect our parents, extended family, friends to live until they are old and grey as well. But life doesn't work that way. We live in a world that is filled with sickness and unforeseen events that no one can predict. I myself suffered pain and sadness after losing my mother to death. Never in a million years would I have expected this. But the day I found out she hand cancer my world turned upside-down.

The difference between old age and sickness or accident, in old age you know when they die they just fade away peacefully in the sunset while on the flip side, sickness/accident for a period of time that person suffers until the breath leaves their bodies. I'm sure if we had the choice of choosing how we want to die many would agree that the peaceful way of just fading away into the sunset is the best option.

But as it approaches 6 years since I lost my mom, and all this happen before I was 20(don't try to figure my age). I must say I'm a lot stronger than I was at that time. I've heard many people say I was strong how I dealt with it but no one saw me internally. I was torn apart. My perfect world ended. I always thought Mom would get to meet her daughter-in-law and live and see her grandchildren(some fantasy). But Life doesn't work that way.

After so many years, you thought it would be easier but its not. We just learn to live and accept the situation. My mother was a strong woman, but seeing her so weak broke my heart especially that I couldn't do anything about it. I don't like to see people suffer no where in society.

Life is short, life is unpredictable, we make plans but sometimes life doesn't work that way. I wont bother to drag out this mom drama again but remember cherish your family and friends, love each other, forgive each other, respect each other. Tell them how you feel. The song says:

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain

We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

We all want somebody to lean on, no matter how independent we claim we are. We can never go through life alone. If you've lost someone close to you may their souls rest in Peace. We don't know the hour or the time when we will leave this world. As I close, Reflect on your life, make sure all is right with you, your friends, family and God. S.B. Stanberry

Jamaica: "A PNP Country"

National Flag of Jamaica

December 29, 2011 the People's National Party (PNP) once again rose to power in remarkable fashion after winning Jamaica's 16th General Elections since Adult Suffrage was granted in 1944. The PNP claimed a 41-22 victory which has now changed to 42-21. Once again the term "PNP country" was used. Many Jamaicans i'm sure lack the knowledge of Jamaica's political history, but i'll try my best to give my own interpretation on the term "PNP country." 

Norman Manley

In Jamaica's political awakening, 2 leaders arose from Jamaica's "brown class". They were Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante. Manley was a scholar while Bustamante's charm made him a natural man of the people. These men both came to dominate Jamaica's political history and wanted to lead an Independent Jamaica. In colonial Jamaica shaded or pigment mattered. Both came from the mix raced upper classes and had little in common with the under class they sought to represent.

The PNP was formed in 1938 by Norman Manley. Manley was an Oxford graduated and lawyer by profession. His cousin Bustamante formed the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 1943 and was accepted by the blacks as blacks were grateful to him for supporting them and breaking from his own social background.

Manley was and idealist and loved Jamaica but unlike Busta he had trouble connecting with the black majority. Bustamante showed his love for the people as he said to the police "shoot me and let my people go".

By this time in our history, Bustamante was for the people and was elected first Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1962. Manley was sadden by the fact that he would not lead his country into Independence after he went to Britain to negotiate Jamaica's Independence. In the early years after Independence Jamaica got a cultural awakening and was referred to as the "Jamaica Miracle".

Alexander Bustamante

The middle and upper class were making financial gains post independence while majority of black Jamaicans suffered. Norman Manley was singled out to blame for a lot of the things that went wrong after Independence. Manley walked away from politics in the late 1960s paving the way for his charismatic son Michael Manley. The younger Manley proved to be something his father wasn't and that was connecting with the black society in Jamaica. By this point the PNP was the party rooted in the middle class while the JLP because of Busta's relation with the masses his party had a large support of blacks.

Michael Manley

When Manley took over the leadership of the PNP in 1969, Jamaica was in desperate need of new direction. There was high unemployment, poverty and almost no social welfare. On the campaign trail in the 1970s Manley said "We come too far we not turning back now. We have a pride now, we have a place now, we have a mission now. Together we are gonna march forward under God's heaven building democratic socialism. Glory to socialism". Manley had formed a bond with the black majority and said "betta mus come, give me a chance and betta mus come". Manley swept to power and had his own socialist agenda for Jamaica. In the early 1970s he gave land to the farmers, created jobs for the poorest working class women and provided free education for every child. This made Jamaicans in charge of their own destiny. Manley wanted radical social change to favor the poor and members of his own class were nervous. As Manley's "democratic socialist" philosophy grew the United States got nervous and Manley said "We are not angering the United States, they are angering themselves". Manley also said 'We have that friendship with Cuba as part of a world alliance of third world nations that are fighting for Justice of poor people in the world". Manley continued his speech by saying "As long as this party is in power, we intend to walk through the world on our feet and not on our knees". Because of this Jamaica paid the consequence and aid from the United States was cut from 13 million dollars to 4 million.

Manley socialist dream became a socialist nightmare, he told the middle class that if you don't like it there are 5 flights to Miami. Many of Jamaica's middle class took his advice and left with their money. 

Edward Seaga

Tourism fell, thousands refused to travel to Jamaica due to negative reports in International newspapers. Manley still had enough grass root supporters to win the 1976 election as the term "People Power" or "Power for the People" was used. Many "poor" Jamaicans supported Manley and that he only wanted to make their lives better. The crisis still deepen as both foreign and local investors refused Jamaica because of the "Socialist" philosophy. Over 800 people died in the 1980 elections. Manley was on the ropes as he conceded to his rival Edward Seaga. Under Seaga, Jamaica and the United States repaired their bonds. Life was back to normal for some people as money flowed from the United States and Investment followed. 

P.J. Patterson

In the 1989 election, Michael Manley and the PNP were returned to power. Many thought Manley would return to his socialist policy but were left disappointed when the policies were different. Manley's second coming lasted only 3 years before handing over the leadership to PJ Patterson, Jamaica's first "black" Prime Minister. The terminology "PNP Country" continued to make itself evident as they won the 1993, 1997 and 2002 elections leading to 18 years in power. 

Bruce Seaga

In 2007 the JLP return to power led by Bruce Golding. However Golding gave up the post of Prime Minister in October 2011 amid a bunch of scandals which affected his party which included the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition request. 

The youthful Andrew Holness took over and became the country's youngest Prime Minister. His short reign was affected by another scandal in "JDIP". Nevertheless he was seen as the Party's best hope to remain in power. He set a December 29, 2011 election date and was favorite to win the election. 

Andrew Holness

However the Opposition PNP returned to their roots and focus on "People Power" and "Power to the People" in their ads and campaign across the island. And on December 29, 2011 People Power proved Powerful as the PNP led by Portia Simpson-Miller held true it's creed that Jamaica is indeed a PNP country shocking the ruling JLP by claiming 41 now 42 of the 63 constituencies to the JLP's 21. After this, which was Jamaica's 16th general election, no one can argue that Jamaica is indeed "PNP Country".

Portia Simpson-Miller

In concluding the PNP has separated itself form the "middle class" which is was associated with during Norman Manley and re associated itself with the masses as it did under the leadership of Michael Manley. The JLP has now claimed the tag of being "racist" and catering to Jamaica's middle upper class or the white/brown Jamaicans and must now find a way of reconnecting with black Jamaica building from the grass roots up. The question I now ask myself, will "People Power" grant the PNP another 18 years in office or will JLP rebuild under Andrew Holness and become the modern-day Bustamante? As I close I would like to borrow the slogan from the PNP and say that "Power of the People" will decide who leads Jamaica Land we Love. Whether we vote PNP or JLP it's the power of the people that will decide. That's the freedom of democracy. Save Jamaica, Believe in Jamaica, Hope for Jamaica. S.B. Stanberry

My Country, My Culture, My History

Black, Green and Gold the colours of the National flag of Jamaica. Black representing the strength and creativity of the people which has allowed them to overcome the odds, yellow for the golden sunshine and green for the lush vegetation of the island. By geographical location and nationality we are Jamaicans, but really and truly who are we? What does it mean to be Jamaican. We've become so Americanized in our ways we have forgotten who we really are. God bless the few who continue to protect and preserve our culture and our history. Many will disagree with me but the reality is they are just hiding from the truth.

I've met a number of people who say history is boring and majority of them don't know much about their Jamaican history. A lot of our adults don't know the National Anthem, National Pledge or even the National Song. In my personal view this is sad and depressing. Ironically if we are seeking citizenship into a foreign land we would have to know certain critical information and i'm sure we'd be "hellbent" on knowing it cause we want the citizenship.

But seriously, Jamaica is having an identity crisis. We only are proud when our sports persons do well or we achieve success in other areas. Apart from that, too many of us are ashamed to be Jamaicans.

In concluding we really need to keep back to basics. We need to appreciate and respect our history and cultural heritage. Teach our children the words of our anthem, we cant depend on schools alone. Be a Proud Jamaican, I know I'm a Proud Jamaican. Save Jamaica, Believe in Jamaica, Hope for Jamaica. S.B. Stanberry

I pledge my heart forever
To serve with humble pride
This shining homeland, ever
So long as earth abide.

I pledge my heart, this island
As God and faith shall live
My work, my strength, my love and
My loyalty to give.

O green isle of the Indies,
Jamaica, strong and free,
Our vows and loyal promises
O heartland, ‘tis to Thee.

Happy New Year 2012

Its a new year, which means many people go about setting resolutions and all that they want to achieve in this year. 2012 is also leap year. If anybody is still clueless as to what leap year means, its simply means the year has an extra day in the month of February.

Anyways I'm glad to see the back of 2011 cause I really had a rough year filled with some serious challenges and obstacles. I've learnt some harsh lessons, made some mistakes but at the end of the day I'm older and much wiser. They say wisdom comes with age and I've finally understood how it works. You see in your youth (though I'm still young) we make mistakes and learn from them and as we get older we learn not to make those mistakes again.

As this new year began I decided that I wont make any resolutions cause I never follow them anyways. As stated in my previous blog I am a proud Jamaican. Jamaica recently held its 16th general election since Universal Adult Suffrage was granted and the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) got a "ass whipping". I must admit the margin of defeat was surprising. Many ask the question what the JLP did wrong or what the PNP did right? Nevertheless as I've said on Facebook the running of the country must go on.

Jamaica is a beautiful place and I will address the political debate sometime in the future but for now we must focus on making our country a better place. European leaders have warned of a difficult year ahead, as many economists predict recession in 2012. If we paid attention to the news last year I'm sure we all saw what happened in Greece and Italy while Portugal and Spain are trying to battle the same problem. The world is in a crisis and we must come together in saving our Jamaica. Each and everyone of us along with the government elect must continue the growth which started under the previous regime.

By definition we are just a little dot on the map and what happens in Europe and North America affects us all. As we move forward in this new year let us promote peace and prosperity. Remember UNITED we stand DIVIDED we fall. Have a Bless 2012 Everyone!!!! S.B. Stanberry