Reading List September 2012

In my last post I mentioned that I wanted to write more and in so doing I needed to read for. In a bid to actual DO what I say I want to and to accomplish my objectives I have made a reading list for September.  I want to read 4 books in the upcoming month.  

1. Rex Nettleford's Mirror Mirror: Identity, Race and Protest in Jamaica (1998 edition originally published in 1970)
2. George L. Beckford's Persistent Poverty: Underdevelopment of Plantation Societies in the Third World (1999 edition orginally published in 1972)
3. David M. Fetterman's Ethnography Step by Step (2010 edition) 
4. Octavia Butler's Kindred  (2009 edition) 

Reflections on the SALISES 50-50 Conference

Friday August 24  marked the end of the SALISES 50-50 Conference: Critical Reflections in a Time of Uncertainty. The conference was the climax of work that began in 2009 by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies. The conference sought to address the local, regional and internal challenges facing the Caribbean, reviewing and making suggestions to social policies as well as to critically assess post independence models for economic development.  


The  Honourable Dr. Peter Philips, Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service offered the keynote address on "Caribbean Independence: Past, Present and the Future - A Reckoning"   at the opening ceremony on Monday August 20. 

Other guest speakers included Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and former Director of the Pan American Health Organization Sir George Alleyne, the United Kingdom Member of Parliament of Jamaican descent  Diane Abbott, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sir K. Dwight Venner, distinguished Professors Emerti of the University of the West Indies Norman Girvan and Selwyn Ryan and University Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies and social historian Professor Verene Shepherd.  

The five day conference saw over nine panels each day offering insight in areas ranging from: women and entrepreneurship; crime and violence prevention and reduction;  cultural and social currencies; socio-economic dependencies and the path towards development; regionalism and the Caribbean; education and language; youth policy and education;  information technology communication and development; climate change and the environment and 

On Friday August 24 the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica offered her remarks and congratulations to the conference organizer and  the closing address was delivered by the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister Gonsalves spoke on "The Independence Experience 
of the OECS and Prospects for the Future." 

The sessions that I attended were inspiring, thought provoking and enlightening. However the most profound message that I take from the conference came from Prime Minister Gonsalves at the end of the conference where he reminded attendees that as a region the Caribbean must use its sovereignty and independence as its key assets for the benefit of its people. The masses who must be educated and enlightened so the voting populous are aware of the policies being undertaken and they must have a voice in matters relating to our own development. PM Gonsalves also spoke on the importance of regional integration and cooperation that extended beyond CARICOM and the OECS and it was important to negotiate and seek partnerships with nations that will benefit the people of the region.

 It is this regard that I believe we have set to fully recognize our true potential as 50 years have passed since Commonwealth independence in the Caribbean we still seek to have the same partners of development.  We are no being bold and innovative enough to seek new alliances as we move forward.  We have yet as a region to deal with key issues of development and true sustainability and cooperation. 

On Writing, Measurements of productivity, Success, Growth and Sustainable Development

This post may be considered to be not well organized but really its a summary of all I need to say right now right before I move on into a new phase of my life fueled by a renewed energy & passion.  

Writing: 

The Lunatic by Anthny C Winkler (1987) 

Two days ago I was at the SALISES 50-50 at the Jamaica Pegasus and I was having a really interesting conversation with another young aspiring writer  and she told of a story she heard of Anthony C.  Winkler. She said Winkler when explaining his writing process shared that he woke up early each  day and devoted time to writing. He simply documented his ideas it did not matter if the material would be used or not but it deemed important to actually write. This is something aim to adopt. So for here on I will attempt to write a blog spot every other day. I always have ideas and things to share but I have been simply lazy. So I will take up an hour earlier and simply write. I have two short story fiction prose that are incomplete and I want to complete those stories. I have a deadline of October 24 for my deadline to produce those 2 stories. I also want to set time out to read more. I have a list of books that offers analysis of the internal and external  factors that influence  Caribbean socio-economic, cultural and political narratives. In order to clear through the chaos of mind and order my work I must read more. I must write more. I want to write true authentic honest and open stories about the Jamaican consciousness to infuse the histories I know and share the vibrant energies that I experience each and every day.    

Measurements of Productivity 

I need to set clear timelines and schedules and to mark my accomplishments. Thus far I feel that I have not given my energy to producing meaningful work that is tangible and so I am now drafting schedules to organize my work and set clear realistic goals. 

Success 

I do not believe there are formulas for success or that there are standard instruments to measure success for me my success will be determined when I truly happy when I am content with my health and fitness; saving;  investment and security; the creation of wealth

and building strong relationships with my family and friends. These are areas that I need to work on.  

Growth and Development 

As the excitement of the Jamaica 50 party and the 2012 London Olympics I think it is time for serious reflection and deliberations on the strategies necessary to move forward and attain sustainable development. 

Personally, I have been reflecting on my own growth and development, one where I am and where I am going. In 2008 I received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy from the University of the West Indies, Mona. This broad generalist study has enabled me to work within several areas from media to ethnographic research. However I need to know more. I applied and was accepted to the Centre for Development Environment and Policy (CeDEP) International Programmes to do a MSc. in Sustainable Development with focus on poverty reduction and rural development.  I seek to acquire knowledge in sustainable development best practices and most importantly the correct application application of these principles to build Caribbean rural communities. 

FREEING OUR MINDS EMANCIPATION DAY 2012