Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
‘No better barrel, no better herring’
YENDI PHILLIPPS... her genuine smile and sparkling eyes reflect the warmth for which our country is renowned.
Columns
Jean Lowrie-Chin  
August 29, 2010

‘No better barrel, no better herring’

While we were listening intently to the local news, we noticed that two young relatives did not appear in the least bit interested: one was nodding to the rhythm of his iPod while the other was smiling at a message on her BlackBerry. They say they are so sick and tired of politics that I shudder to think what the voter turnout will be in the next general election.

But thanks to our dedicated public servants and intrepid entrepreneurs, we continue to surprise ourselves. Cinecom’s Natalie Thompson (Cool Runnings, How Stella Got Her Groove Back) just completed work as line producer for a movie filmed for the most part in Jamaica’s inner cities and had nary an incident. Ghetto Life is written and directed by Chris Browne and was filmed in Rose Town, Craig Town, Trench Town, Grants Pen, the Stanley Couch Gym between Southside and Rae Town and Top Range in Mountain View. In fact, they worked mostly at night.

Our 4-H Movement is inspiring a growing number of young Jamaicans to go into farming. We are sitting on a gold mine of the world’s best coffee, ginger, pimento and some of the tastiest organically grown fruits and vegetables. Chef Colin Hylton tells me that otaheite apple is finally being processed by a company called Goshen into jams and syrups. We caught up with friends Mike Nugent and Anthony Raymond in New York last weekend – they say the enthusiasm for Jamaican-grown and produced products has never been higher.

Over the past week, folks from our firm travelled across Jamaica for a series of culinary workshops presented by Norway’s celebrity chef Espen Larsen. The Jamaican chefs worked magic, pairing saltfish with yam, breadfruit, Scotch bonnet and other spectacular Jamaican products. Award-winning chef Anthony Miller, who attended, will be guest chef of the South African Culinary Association in mid-September with the mandate to bring Jamaican flavours to their annual feast.

The view from the terrace of the Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios left our visitors breathless and vowing to return. We met US-based Jamaican Dr Walford Bancroft Lindo who was on his fourth visit to the property managed by the highly respected Peter Fraser.

“They say a man is not king in his country, but here, I feel truly honoured,” Dr Lindo declared. “I am encouraging my fellow Jamaicans abroad to vacation in their homeland. I have been to many other destinations in the Caribbean and Jamaica remains my favourite.”

At Tryall in Hanover, our guests marvelled at the flawless golf course nestled against the sparkling sea. Every step of the way, they lauded the outstanding service of the hotel staffers, the artistry of our chefs, many of whom were trained right here in Jamaica, and the extraordinary beauty of our country.

Every Jamaican, who can afford it, owes it to himself to become more familiar with this wonderful place we call home, at the same time making our contribution to the tourism industry, the biggest employer of our excellent hospitality workers.

Just as Yendi Phillipps did, we should be promoting this big world brand called Jamaica. We want it to prosper, so why do we persist in being so cynical? Our lovely Yendi with her open smile and sparkling eyes reflected the warmth for which our country is renowned. Was it her mention of God in her reply to the judges that lost her those precious points? Well, so be it – she may have come second in Miss Universe but she is Number One in our hearts. My friend Dave Rodney said Jamaicans up north were riveted to the television watching Yendi on Monday night, and calling each other at every stage of the eliminations. “It was like the Beijing Olympics all over again,” he enthused.

Our legendary poster child Usain Bolt has been signed on by Puma for four additional years to the tune of US$10 million per year. Even when we were turning our noses down at our flag, long before the emergence of Bolt, Puma had decided that they would do Jamaica-themed products and decorate their store windows in our vibrant black-green-and-gold. Homegrown Jamaican companies need to understand the power of our flag in the world market.

After TVJ’s June poll showed 87 per cent of Jamaicans wanting to migrate to the US, some took to Facebook to reaffirm their faith. Here are a few quotes:

Sheryl: “No weh nuh betta dan yard, the grass is not always greener, I guess some just don’t know that. Ja just need likkle money.”

Sandra: “Nope …life is hard everywhere, crime and corruption is worldwide so is everything else that happens in Jamaica. If I have to fight to survive, I’d rather do it on the soil I was created on…always praying for Jamaica.”

Christopher: “Absolutely not…I wish my family never left.”

Talisa: “That’s really something else. What people in Ja seem to fail to realise is that it’s a complete different ball game from when u talk about “farrin” how money run vs actually living here. I’m in America and I’m poor, and feeling the effects of corruption. Cho man.”

On the other hand, some are downright disappointed in their country:

Michelle: “Mi woulda tek a one way ticket right now, mi tired a di crime, corruption, discrimination and mismanagement!”

Horace: “I’d leave in a split sec. I miss the days when people could sleep with their doors even half open.”

So are our politicians ready to redeem themselves and revive our faith? There is so much blame to go around that it would be a waste of time to start pointing fingers, the favourite pastime of the JLP and PNP. Our two major political parties should know that their shallow games of sophistry are unconvincing and tiresome. Give us the truth about Trafigura, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and DB&G. Take your medicine and resolve to put Jamaica first.

We have placed our trust in our members of parliament to be the lawmakers, not the lawbreakers of our land. The world is in an economic depression so we are asking them not to make it worse for us. My grandmother would say, “You are no better barrel, no better herring.” Let us get busy with the nation’s work and stop this power-hungry bickering.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Nigerian military rescues 31 worshippers kidnapped during Easter church masses
International News, Latest News
Nigerian military rescues 31 worshippers kidnapped during Easter church masses
April 5, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP)—The Nigerian military said Sunday it had rescued 31 worshippers seized from Easter celebrations in northwestern Kaduna state, tho...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gordon steps aside from PAC, shadow cabinet amid JACDEN probe—Mark Golding
Latest News, News
Gordon steps aside from PAC, shadow cabinet amid JACDEN probe—Mark Golding
April 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Opposition Leader Mark Golding has announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JACDEN Dennis Gordon has been instructed to step ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Irie Feelings’ hitmaker Rupie Edwards laid to rest
Entertainment, Latest News
‘Irie Feelings’ hitmaker Rupie Edwards laid to rest
April 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Rupie Edwards, the singer/producer who entered the British national chart in 1975 with Irie Feelings (Skanga) , was laid to rest on ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gov’t promises tech-driven, seamless experience at Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference
Latest News, News
Gov’t promises tech-driven, seamless experience at Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference
BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer writer 
April 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican government has promised a delegate-friendly atmosphere for the Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, scheduled for June...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica’s medal tally stands at 27 after Sunday’s first session at Carifta Games
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica’s medal tally stands at 27 after Sunday’s first session at Carifta Games
April 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica added five more medals- a gold, two silver and two bronze- on Sunday morning’s session at the 53rd Carifta Games, being held...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Leeds beat West Ham in shoot-out to reach FA Cup semis for first time in 39 years
International News, Latest News
Leeds beat West Ham in shoot-out to reach FA Cup semis for first time in 39 years
April 5, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Leeds reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years as they survived a dramatic penalty shoot-out after s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump appears to extend Iran deadline in cryptic post
International News, Latest News
Trump appears to extend Iran deadline in cryptic post
April 5, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) President Donald Trump on Sunday appeared to extend by 24 hours his deadline for Iran to make a dea...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
JTTA set to shine at Caribbean and Central American Championships
Latest News, Sports
JTTA set to shine at Caribbean and Central American Championships
BY KEDIESHA PERRY Observer writer 
April 5, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) continues to strengthen its position on the regional stage as Jamaica participates in a ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct