Permission to post your comments on the petition page, Ian? In propaganda it is sometimes difficult to bring complete clarity. I don't disagree with what you are saying, if you speak of cultural exchange. Keeping in mind that there is a huge difference between cultural exchange and cultural dominance. It would be impossible to avoid America's cultural influence, and also unwise. However, the influence is currently bordering on suicide, as it is not strategically integrated. This is not only cultural for me, and barely political, but definitely economics. The great thing Jamaica did re: tourism this year )2007) was strong efforts towards diversification. However, as I look at real estate developments, and current listings, I see more and more America. No, no, no....it is foolish for us to think that copying America, in attempts not to so-call re-invent the wheel, is the way to go. Brand Jamaica should not be Brand Little America. Once you go, you should know the essence, the fullness and continuity of Jamaica, pervaded by our rich Afrikan heritage (something which we have yet to fully capitalise upon.) Ian, you also should know, how much people continuously bemoan how "foreign-minded" we have become. Truth is Ian, what you are proposing is all well and good, under the circumstance that we have come to embrace, appreciate, and valuate our own culture. That is not the case. Many Jamaicans have yet to undergo the consciousness of patriotism, that many only experience when they come to America. When they come and realise that the grass is not as green as they think. Blessings.
 Akelia Lawrence - Dec 30, 2007

Great idea Akelia, Even though in principle I disagree with it. I like the idea of this form of social activism via the internet, so I encourage the dawta to continue in the pursuit of this passion of yours. My disagreement with the core of your argument draws on my recollection of the French when they wanted essentially to install a cultural ring around France to bar against the Americanization of France, I thought it was absolute protectionist crap and because I believed this of the French, I believe we similarly would be foolish to attempt something like that. I see the American cultural penetration as a blessing in disguise....much of it comes in on a strand of light...fibre optic technology....light works in two ways....it can come at you and it can be reflected back to its source or anywhere else you choose to send it. Do you recognize the phenomenal potential Jamaica has to reflect its own societal construct on America?... Ask yourself how Elephant, Sean Paul, The Marley Brothers, Shaggy, Bob Marley and all of our icons of the sound and stage can have the impact they have in America...what causes that...what can we do to push that harder so that the children of Jamaica can stand stronger here in America and benefit even more in Jamaica from the confidence of knowing just like all the pioneers before, theirs is the charge to go forth into the earth and conquer and dominate it. My argument is "no, don't fight the dominance of American Culture....study it, mimick it, and when you practice enough of its Jamaicanization (the success of it) then let us buy space on their satellites (the French, the Chinese...anybody who have a satellite), if not mount satellites of our own, and push Jamaican programming on it to the four corners of the earth and beyond". We must not be left out of the drive for the hearts and minds of the peoples of the world. My thinking is, to stop other people from talking to us, is basically to throw our hands up in the sky and say....we have no response, no counter, nothing to contribute to the conversation...we are weak and powerless, simple copycats...and anything people tell us we going to take and use to our disadvantage. Not so. I say we too proud for that. I say we too smart for that. I say we have a counter to that. What I see a need for is an urgency to get us as a society to realise we have something to put into the space and should hurry up and coordinate our presentation of that something to begin making it available to the world...just like Bob did. And after all, aren't we Americans or becoming so (even though we will always be Jamaican). I already think they believe in Jamaica that many of us living abroad are irrelevant. Some of them think we should send the money but leave pretty much everything else out of the equation...they can get along fine without us and our ideas thank you very much.... Take the issue of giving Jamaicans abroad the opportunity to vote in Jamaica's Elections. For many there it is an idea that is off the table, one we can pretty much keep to ourselves...seeing it quite possibly as part of the American Cultural Domination you oppose so strongly. So again I say...I am not for barriers as regards American cultural influence on a place like Jamaica...I am for exchange, they give us some, we MAKE SURE to give them back some, constantly striving to ensure we get as much as we give if not more. Ms. Lou afterall did speak of Colonization in Reverse! Ian
 Akelia Lawrence - Dec 30, 2007