Demand a Stronger Democracy: “Don’t Take It for Granted” Prof. Dr. Trevor Munroe (19 August 2025)— During the August 10 mass meeting In Half-Way-Tree, Prime Minster Holness celebrated Jamaica’s democracy exemplified in the crowd assembled in the square and in our people’s freedom to choose their government in the forthcoming election. The PM observed “there are many countries in which this cannot happen … do not take it for granted.” The same could have been said by...
Veterans of the British Army and RAF Birthed Caribbean Nationhood Gabriel J. Christian, Esq. (August 17, 2025) — As Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago mark their 63rd anniversary of independence in 2025, we celebrate not only the islands’ progress but the broader Caribbean journey toward self-determination, unity, and sovereignty. Much of that journey was paved by men in khaki and blue—soldiers of the British West Indian Regiment (BWIR) and flyers of the Royal Air Force...
Mindless Arguments Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (10 August 2025) –I have heard and read some idiotic arguments and responses to the call for accountability for egregious behavior which enriches political leaders. But the worst, perhaps the most idiotic, is the response to demands for accountability for betrayal of the people’s trust—corruption by political leaders. Those making demands for accountability are being called “bad mind”. That is as idiotic as it is a betrayal of the...
Optimizing the Jamaican tourist industry for educational purposes Prof. Emeritus Franklin Knight, Ph.D. (06 August 2025) — International tourism constitutes a major part of the global economy. That is probably why services account for approximately sixty-five percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. And no one can deny the inordinate importance of tourism in the Jamaican economy. The island’s tourist industry amounts to some 30 percent of economic output and employs about ten...
Emancipation Day Message 2025 The P J Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy (01 August 2925) — Emancipation Day marks a turning point in our collective history. August morning in 1838 ended a chapter of black chattel and enslavement, but it did not terminate the pernicious and oppressive divide of imperial rule. This unique anniversary is a celebration of the strength, courage, and resilience of those who came before us- People who, in the face of unimaginable suffering and...
Consequential Electoral Contestation in the Caribbean Prof. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, PhD (28 July 2025) —When political sociologists concerned with the Caribbean reflect on the period March through December 2025 years from now, they will likely proclaim it as having been one of the most consequential electoral seasons in the region. Why, one may ask? Well, here’s why! The Regional Electoral Landscape On March 12, the incumbent People’s United Party (PUP) in Belize was returned to...
Why We Celebrate Caribbean Heritage in August Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (24 July 2025) — Of the 12 months in the year, the month of August has the most historic relevance to people of Caribbean heritage everywhere in the world. No other month holds comparable relevance and historic meaning for Caribbean people and Caribbean nationhood. Our history teaches us about who we are as Caribbean people. Here are some very important historical relationships that we as Caribbean people share among...
Support COE Special Tribunal on Russian Aggression against Ukraine Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (22 July 2025) — The International Criminal Court (ICC), while having within its jurisdiction the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the “crime of aggression”, and has already issued indictments against Russia’s president Vladimir Putin on war crimes violations, the ICC has not issued an indictment against Putin for the international crime of aggression. Yet...
Caribbean Interfaith Service draws attention to Haiti’s crisis (20 July 2025) — The 6th annual interfaith service celebrating Caribbean heritage was held in Washington. DC on June 29th at the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ. Interim Pastor of the host Church, Rev. Leddell Bragg-Reynolds officiated the service which had as its theme, “Finding Strength in the Storm”. The Rev. Joseph M. Constant, a Haitian national and Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in...
Crossing the Rubicon into Autocracy Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (19 June 2025) — We may not be there yet, but we are well on the way. This essay is about autocracy, that corruption feeds on autocracy and vice-versa. Corruption thrives in autocracy with one used to conceal the other. Our country, Jamaica, embarked on the journey of an independent nation embracing democracy and eschewing authoritarianism. Who can forget the words of Jamaica’s first prime minister and National Hero, the...
