Hijacked comments

[butterfly]

Initially, i was confused with this thread and I still am so, please someone enlighten me as to, wheter I'm right or wrong. Sweet Dawta will be the best to answer my question. There is a song written by Morgan Heritage Titled "Nothing to Smile about". If possible, and if I knew how to, I wish someone could post this video. The song refer to the hardships of Jamaica, yet only seen as a paradise to most tourist, where some jamaicans aren't smiling so there is nothing seen to smile about. I love this video, and traveling to jamaica enlightens me during every visit. I have learned to appreicate things more because although some Jamaicans find it very hard you can still see smiles on faces anyhow.

[JitterBug]

A friend said, "One trip to Jamaica will open your eyes and too many trips will shut them"

bill, i'll go and add that after our eyes are opened, one pretty well has to shut them to be able to go on . . .

[captaind]

"Nothing is as it seems" - Johannes Kepler (The first physicist)

"The eye of the beholder modifies that which is seen" - Einstein

"none of this is really here except that which you create" ...Modern physics ....the "multiverse"

What is reality?? Strange question for a tourist site?

[BCBud]

Morgan Heritage - Nothing to Smile About
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MT26U0kSzg

[butterfly]

Thank you for posting this video, bcbud. I hope this video is enlightening to everyone.

[isthatuitsme]

I have read this thread with some interest and some confusion but also wanting to respond but not until now knowing what to say....

Dawta has some very good reasons for how she feels given her experience and her connection as an original member of the Jamaican society...however, it is a mistake to think that others do not experience such discrimination in their home countries, your right Dawta, most don't but....Native Aboriginals from North America, Mexico, Australia, and other Native inhabitants have and continue to be discriminated against on a daily basis, sometimes being denied the most basic of human needs because of where they live (ie isolated communities, mostly "white" communities). As a member of the Aboriginal community, I have experienced discrimination in my "home" country, Canada. I have watched other Aboriginals experience denial of service or receive substandard service (which I have received) based on their skin colour, the very fact that they are Aboriginal and listened to the "majority" complain and not understand the history of our culture, our treatment, and our current struggle. And yes, even within my own Native community there is discrimination....especially if you are of mixed race, and not seen as "Native enough". The Canadian Government even has their very own definition of what constitutes a "Native" (perentage of blood passed down) or else a person can not be a registered indian!

A friend said, "One trip to Jamaica will open your eyes and too many trips will shut them"

This statement is so true for so many things and places....many people all over North America visit Pow Wows and Reservations only at times of celebration and see the food and joy and dancing and do not see the daily struggles and oppression that faces the original peoples of North America. Or, they have only watched movies and believe that they now have an understanding based on Dances With Wolves! Or they do not understand the history of oppression, which continues into today and choose to believe that we should just assimulate into mainstream society. A person's experience of a country, including their own home country, is just that, their experience.

Nothing in this world is as it seems, but we can be open enough to continue to explore, understand, accept, and at times challenge, which to me includes other people's experiences.

It is shocking and saddening for Dawta to experience this discrimination that she feels in her "home" country, expecially if she has worked hard for what she has accomplished in her life. But please understand, discrimination is all around us, in every country, faced by many different people, including within our own communities.
Rant over...hope I didn't just hijack this thread onto a different topic...
T

[yetta]

This thread is quite interesting to me. I enjoy hearing all opinions...many that have been expressed have some valid points. Living in the US, being fortunate in many, many ways...I still can find items that I don't like, or that I am shocked that exist...That doesn't mean that I don't love it...it means I can see it like it truly is, full of dycotomies.(? if my spelling here is perfect..but you get the drift.)

I absolutely adore Jamaica! However, not being a resident, only a frequent visitor, I do see many things differently than from my first visit. By no means, do I feel like an expert. I am not...only someone that totally feels complete once I'm there. Having many friends there and having a Jamaican family stay at my home for almost a month, I feel blessed. I do see how things are different than I once thought. I am not Jamaican...but I still find so much that I love and many things that could be worrisome.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that as a visitor and a boardie...I enjoy hearing differing opinions. It keeps me thinking outside the box and intrigues me to keep learning more on my visits. I am not here to judge anyone...only to broaden my outlook on life here and in Jamaica.

So, with that being said, I can't wait to reach in December and continue learning more about life, ....we are truly ALL in this together. Life is not easy anywhere right now, but I am so glad that I'm still here to experience it...the good, the bad and the ugly. SO, continue on with whatever opinions one has...we can only get better if we are challenged. Peace out!

[Sweet_Dawta]

"So, with that being said, I can't wait to reach in December"

Enjoy, my trip summer 2012



isthatuitsme- Thanks for your post. With age and travel experience I do, but find it easier just to talk about the one I know.

[isthatuitsme]

Please Dawta continue to share your experiences as they happen, as others do through their trip reports and responses to these type of difficult questions/situations......it will be the only way that others, including myself, will be able to understand what is behind the smiles and sandy beaches, and AI resorts. You are very right, as other more experienced here on this board have shared, locals and if your are mistaken for a local, are discriminated against. That has been your experience and witnessed by others, examples have been shared. I appreciate the insight shared by frequent visitors, returning Jamaicans, and those that have lived and made a living on the island.
I think I was wondering about what you were trying to convey when you offered to send a PM to bnewb and not elaborate on your experience. I am not sure if anyone meant anything by questioning your experience but other then trying to understand it and wonder more about it. The way that I see it, the only way that we are able to become educated on a subject, to understand, is to question and listen.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but the original issue was that this question or comment by Dawta was moved from a thread/trip report that Manda had written, because it was maybe, and I am only wondering about this, that is was a seperate issue from what was being written about by Manda??? Which I am not sure if this is right nor wrong,...I really am not sure....but also have seen many many threads being taking off topic by comments that people have made within them.
Guess now I am a bit confused!!??!!
T

[kbisiar]

The world would be a better place if someone deleted this entire thread. I have no idea what any of it is about!!!!! BACK TO ESPN FOR ME.