Now Accepting Entries: Jamaica 51 Essay Competition

The Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami is now accepting entries for its Annual Essay Competition to commemorate Jamaica’s Independence 51st Anniversary.

The competition is open to all Jamaican children, first and second generation, residing in Florida State, and forms part of the Independence celebrations across the Florida communities.

Eligible students can choose from a selection of topics related to the island’s cultural heritage some of which include community leadership, entertainment, education, history, cultural heritage, geography and national development.

Applicants must be between five and eighteen years of age, normally resident in the State of Florida, and submit entries in one of three age categories -  five to eight (5-8); nine to twelve (9-12); and thirteen to eighteen (13-18).

For more information, please follow this link:
J51 Essay Competition - Consulate General of Jamaica:

'via Blog this'

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The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:
http://signon.org/sign/exonerate-marcus-garvey?source=c.url&r_by=4631897
Thank you for your support..

Call for Papers: Islands in the Mainstream: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Caribbean Rhetoric

Proposals are sought from scholars, teachers, practitioners, and researchers in rhetoric, communication, literature, Caribbean studies, indigenous studies, diaspora studies, cultural studies, gender studies, and the visual and performing arts for contributions that explore aspects of Caribbean rhetorical expression from an interdisciplinary perspective. In particular, original essays are sought that will contribute to and fortify emerging work in the study of Caribbean rhetoric by envisioning the scope and dimension of what such work might entail. Such essays will engage, challenge, and move beyond the traditional perimeter of rhetorical analysis, encompassing the epistemic, pedagogical, and public work that occurs in a broad range of Caribbean texts: oral/aural, visual, scribal, tactile, digital, environmental, supernatural, etc.. Essays about the anglophone, francophone, and hispanophone Caribbean are strongly encouraged, though authors are asked to submit their proposals (and their essays, if accepted) in English, except in the case of specialized terms, phrases, and concepts (annotated accordingly).

The first of its kind to specifically consider the rhetoric of Caribbean cultural production from interdisciplinary perspectives, this collection will provide scholars, teachers, and students with innovative approaches for discussing the range of motives, histories, and social realities that necessitate inquiry and inclusion in rhetorical studies. Similarly, it will contribute to Caribbean studies and other disciplines represented in the volume by providing a dynamic set of robust rhetorical theories for reading Caribbean culture. In addition to defining theoretical parameters for reading Caribbean rhetoric and exploring areas of practice for further research, contributors will be encouraged to consider the pedagogical implications of their ideas. This can include developing curricula (introductory, intermediate, or advanced courses in rhetorical education among undergraduate writing majors, or courses that respond to particular writing-intensive programs, writing centers, or Writing Across the Curriculum), community literacy/publishing initiatives (ongoing or envisioned), or research studies (archival, ethnographic, qualitative, quantitative, etc.) on projects that engage students on matters of Caribbean import. Essays that are collaboratively authored by faculty and students and/or faculty and professionals are particularly welcome.

While the following list is not exhaustive, possible chapters may fall within these broad categories:

• Carnival Theatre
• Dance/Performance Art
• Digital Humanities/New Media/Technology/Broadcast Media
• Fine Art/Photography
• Food
• Geopolitics
• Historiography/Interrogations of Historical Narratives
• Labor Union/National/Political Parties
• Literature
• Music
• National/Sub-Supranational/Transnational
• Oratory/Public Address
• Pedagogy
• Postcolonial/Neocolonial
• Public Archives/Public Memory/Concepts of Vernacular Memory
• Race(d) Relations
• Surveillance
• Vernacular Bodies/Love, Sex, Sexualities

Please submit a proposal, approximately 500 words, that discusses the proposed chapter to the editor, Kevin A. Browne (browne@syr.edu). Questions and queries are welcome. The deadline for proposal submissions is November 1, 2013.

Feeling the Love at the Anancy Festival 2013

It wasn't Father's Day and they weren't my children, but I could feel the love at the Anancy Festival on Saturday at the South Regional/Broward College Library.

The workshop, Anancy Writes Poetry, and the reading from The Christmas Dutch Pot Baby were well attended.  I was happy that my friends, Andrea Shaw, Malachi Smith, and Michele Fievre--all published writers--participated in the workshop and read unfinished pieces for the audience.

The children, of course, stole the show with wonderfully imagined poems that they were able to write by the end of the workshop.

The reading from The Christmas Dutch Pot Baby was a success and fulfilled my mission for writing children's books: to get Jamaican parents and children together to read a book that has characters that look and sound like us. The parents readily appreciated the subtle irony of the title because of the associations of Dutch pots with Jamaican colorism in a story I like to call "the redemption of Dutchie."

The children loved the story and were in awe of the graphics. It felt so good to say, "My daughter drew all the pictures!" To which a young asked, "Is she in art school?"

Thank you to all the parents and children who came to the workshop and the reading. Thanks also to the organizers of the Anancy Festival, Andrea Shaw and Xavier Murphy, for inviting me to read and to conduct the workshop. I'd be remiss if I did not include Valrie Simpson and the South/ Regional/Broward College Library for opening their doors to the festival and providing a space for the community. Much blessings.

I'm looking forward to Anancy Festival 2014!

Anancy Writes Poetry!

For the upcoming Anancy Festival, I’ve gone back into my folders from my days as a “Bicycle Poet” (see below) and updated an exercise that should enable parents and children to write a poem by the end of the presentation. The exercise should also be of interest to educators who are interested in meeting Common Core State Standards: Literacy and Multicultural Literacy.

I won’t tell you how it’s done—you’ll have to come to the festival for that--but the primary goal is to have parents and children working together on an imaginative project—which is what the Anancy Festival is all about: Family Fun!

Hope to see you there!

Anancy Festival 

June 15th, 2013

Time: 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm

South Regional/Broward College Library

7300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

Admission: Free

Contact: Andrea Shaw (andreaeshaw@yahoo.com) or Xavier Murphy (info@anancyfestival.com)

Free Download: Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories

In celebration of the Anancy Festival 2013, Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories is available for a #FREE download from June 11-15, 2013.

About Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories. 

Jimmy Harrison loves school and his favorite subject is snack time! But when a new boy, Kevin, joins his class, he begins to pick on Jimmy and the rest of the children. What’s worse, he begins to take away Jimmy’s snacks. Jimmy doesn't want to be a tattletale, but he also doesn’t want to be bullied. When Grandpa Sydney finds out that Jimmy is being bullied, he reads an Anancy story to Jimmy. Will the story help Jimmy to overcome Kevin's bullying?

Grandpa Sydney's Anancy Stories  is available exclusively at Amazon.com: 

http://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Sydneys-Anancy-Stories-ebook/dp/B009JYLDZO/ref=la_B001K819L0_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1349178428&sr=1-14

Please share the good news!

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An Open Letter to Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Frederica Wilson

Dear Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Frederica Wilson,

On January 6, 2013, the Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey began a petition drive with a goal of collecting 10,000 signatures:

On January 10, 2007, Representative Charles Rangel introduced H. Con. Res. 24 to the 110th Congress: "Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should grant a pardon to Marcus Mosiah Garvey to clear his name and affirm his innocence of crimes for which he was unjustly prosecuted and convicted." This bill didn't make it out of committee.

We, the undersigned, are requesting the assistance of our representatives in reintroducing the resolution with the following change in the wording: "Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should exonerate Marcus Mosiah Garvey to clear his name and affirm his innocence of crimes for which he was unjustly prosecuted and convicted." We urge Congress to take action and reintroduce H.Con.Res. 24 to exonerate Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

In fewer than five months, we have reached our goal and would like to deliver the petition to you or your representative at an appropriate date and time during Caribbean –American Heritage Month.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey

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Urge Congress to Exonerate Civil Rights Leader Marcus Garvey

10,241 PEOPLE SIGNED THE PETITION*

To: Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America.

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a leader in the human rights movement for people of African descent, was unjustly convicted for crimes he did not commit. Congress should correct this historic injustice and exonerate Marcus Garvey.

Issues: human rights, justice, exoneration, civil rights and liberties

Location: Miami Gardens, FL

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey

*May 31, 2013

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The Coalition for the Exoneration of Marcus Garvey is petitioning Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Frederica Wilson, and the Congress of the United States of America for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1722148-urge-congress-to-exonerate-civil-rights-leader-marcus-garvey 
We are also petitioning President Barack Obama to exonerate Marcus Garvey:

http://signon.org/sign/exonerate-marcus-garvey?source=c.url&r_by=4631897
Thank you for your support..

Now in 8 Cities: Anancy Festival 2013

The Anancy Festival will be held in eight cities from the USA to Jamaica to Africa in June 2013. The event takes place in the following eight cities: Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, Washington DC, Atlanta, New York, Nairobi (Kenya), Accra (Ghana) and Kingston (Jamaica). The event will be simulcast between each city giving attendees an opportunity to see performances at different locations.

The Anancy Festival, named for Anansi, the West African trickster of folklore, is a celebration of Caribbean-American culture that’s geared toward children and teens. The festival provides a unique way for youngsters to learn about their cultural heritage and experience a rich collection of stories, music and dance. This year the film One People, a documentary celebrating Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence, will be shown at selected locations. 

Last year’s festival was held in 5 cities and drew over 600 attendants in Pembroke Pines FL.

For more information about the 2013 Anancy Festival visit the website at http://www.anancyfestival.com  or our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/anancyfestival.


For more information about the 2012 Anancy Festival visit the website at or our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/anancyfestival., 

NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013

NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

For centuries, the United States and nations in the Caribbean have grown alongside each other as partners in progress. Separated by sea but united by a yearning for independence, our countries won the right to chart their own destinies after generations of colonial rule. Time and again, we have led the way to a brighter future together -- from lifting the stains of slavery and segregation to widening the circle of opportunity for our sons and daughters.

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate those enduring achievements. It is also a chance to recognize men and women who trace their roots to the Caribbean. Through every chapter of our Nation's history, Caribbean Americans have made our country stronger -- reshaping our politics and reigniting the arts, spurring our movements and answering the call to serve. Caribbean traditions have enriched our own, and woven new threads into our cultural fabric. Again and again, Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have reaffirmed America's promise as a land of opportunity -- a place where no matter who you are or where you come from, you can make it if you try.

Together, as a Nation of immigrants, we will keep writing that story. And alongside our partners throughout the Caribbean, we will keep working to achieve inclusive economic growth, access to clean and affordable energy, enhanced security, and lasting opportunity for all our people. As we honor Caribbean Americans this month, let us strengthen the ties that bind us as members of the Pan American community, and let us resolve to carry them forward in the years ahead.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2013 as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to celebrate the history and culture of Caribbean Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA