Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

[Sienna]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

I have to smile here, knowing that the tourist side of the board, ignored for years by most members, is obviously being read by some, and that is good.

It means that there can be a more balanced view to topics.

I think you do need to understand that people will repeat what they've been 'told' by their friends, aquaintences met here in Jamaica....who hopefully do pass on the correct info. However, you and I both know, that depending on the circumstances, this will not always be true.

I do know that that the frustration factor can be high when reading topics that go against one's personal beliefs, or when encountering stereotyped perceptions....but as much as possible, a factual stating of what's true will reach out and encourage discussion more than an emotional slamming of the individual addressed - all parties are on the defensive.

Jamaican readers, please feel free to come by the tourist forums anytime. Post topics you feel the tourists should see/read. Post topics to present a side of the country you feel they should know about more than what normally comes up.

Previous to most recently, the tourist forums were routinely criticized for having trip reports that were "boring" - only info/photos about where the party stayed, what they saw off the resort, what foods they sampled, etc. Now the reports are criticized because in addition they involve personal interaction the tourist had with individuals met.

IS there a middle ground? What WOULD make an enjoyable read?

Or is tourism/tourists/tourist forums just another place to skip rather than read and have the blood pressure raised?

[Tropicana]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

I think you do need to understand that people will repeat what they've been 'told' by their friends, aquaintences met here in Jamaica....who hopefully do pass on the correct info. However, you and I both know, that depending on the circumstances, this will not always be true.

Exactly. ESPECIALLY when someone is trying to hustle someone for money, material aid or sex. A hustler will say just about anything. What is upsetting is that this information is repeated as if it is true. When Jamaicans on the board try to come on and give more accurate information, we are put down (see the rent a dread) thread, lectured, told we don't speak for all Jamaicans, and talked down to. SisterNancy even tried to make an issue of the fact that I had made a typo wrt Trevor Munore's name:

P.S. You misspelled Trevor MUNROE'S name.

Whopee do!! This is a discussion board not a manuscript for publication!! Once again evidence of a condescending manner.

I do know that that the frustration factor can be high when reading topics that go against one's personal beliefs, or when encountering stereotyped perceptions....but as much as possible, a factual stating of what's true will reach out and encourage discussion more than an emotional slamming of the individual addressed - all parties are on the defensive.

Facts are stated and dismissed by those who think they know more about Jamaica than we do.

Previous to most recently, the tourist forums were routinely criticized for having trip reports that were "boring" - only info/photos about where the party stayed, what they saw off the resort, what foods they sampled, etc. Now the reports are criticized because in addition they involve personal interaction the tourist had with individuals met.

IS there a middle ground? What WOULD make an enjoyable read?

Yes we could do without the descriptions of sexual encounters. Is that really necessary on a G rated board? Does it benefit anyone? Why can't that information be communicated by PM to those who have an interest? Certainly doesn't encourage me to come by that section of the board.

r is tourism/tourists/tourist forums just another place to skip rather than read and have the blood pressure raised?

A place to be skipped based on the comments that I have read from other Jamaicans on the board who have attempted to make a contribution and the experience that I had attempting to participate in 2 threads.

Sienna, I must take the time to say, though, that I do think you are doing an excellent job of moderating. Don't doubt yourself.

[SistahD]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

((tropi)) Thanks! I agree with where you're coming from, totally. When I went to Paris, my comments were not about the gypsies at the train station, with babes at their breast, and dirty little hands outstretched to beg for money... my comments were about how massive the city was, the beauty in the architecture, and how impressive the main sights were.

When I approach (hopefully interesting) potential guests for on-board discussions and invite them to visit... I don't want to have them witness those kind of highlights in almost every thread posted by certain individuals. (Sister Nancy I can't include you here because I've only seen you posting in the last couple days).

*********
This is an excerpt of how I encourage interest from potential guests:

'As the site name and our motto suggests, we are "Out of Many, One People -on line". The site itself offers people around the world an opportunity to learn on a more personal level, the history of Jamaica, it's culture and traditions, as well as life experiences of those having lived in or visited Jamaica.

Our intention is to highlight either noted Jamaicans at home, established Jamaican Nationals in their new lands of residence, and positive community programs for our Members with respect to the variety of forums we offer.

With the development of this new programming feature, we feel we have developed a viable method of continuing to project a positive image of the land we love, to our international community on a more personal level, as well as introduce our Members to opportunities available to them when visiting Jamaica and to Jamaicans starting new lives abroad.'

**********

Visitors - Guests and Members alike tire of hearing every second word to reflect hookers - players - gigs etc. That is NOT what Jamaica is about, as the gypsies are NOT what Paris is about. Further to that it continues to dredge up animosity amongst Members of all races who came to this site BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR JAMAICA!

How does that love translate into continually highlighting certain negative lifestyles of but a small group?

After my trip to England last year, I didn't come here to discuss any tristes I may or may not have had, I spoke of the places I had been, the new friends I had made, the sights, the manner I had been treated, and my eagerness to return. I would be embarrassed to come in such a public forum and allude to having been ravaged, or thrown down for more as is the case in some reports.

The playfulness is fine, but sometimes there is TMI.

[Tropicana]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

After my trip to England last year, I didn't come here to discuss any tristes I may or may not have had, I spoke of the places I had been, the new friends I had made, the sights, the manner I had been treated, and my eagerness to return. I would be embarrassed to come in such a public forum and allude to having be ravaged, or thrown down for more as is the case in some reports.

Well said SistahD. We have an expression in Jamaica that reflects one aspect of our culture:

Not everyting fit fe eat fit fe talk.

People would do well to remember and apply that then they post on a Jamaican board.

[evanovitch]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Originally posted by Sienna:
[qb] I have to smile here, knowing that the tourist side of the board, ignored for years by most members, is obviously being read by some, and that is good.

It means that there can be a more balanced view to topics.

I think you do need to understand that people will repeat what they've been 'told' by their friends, aquaintences met here in Jamaica....who hopefully do pass on the correct info. However, you and I both know, that depending on the circumstances, this will not always be true.

I do know that that the frustration factor can be high when reading topics that go against one's personal beliefs, or when encountering stereotyped perceptions....but as much as possible, a factual stating of what's true will reach out and encourage discussion more than an emotional slamming of the individual addressed - all parties are on the defensive.

Jamaican readers, please feel free to come by the tourist forums anytime. Post topics you feel the tourists should see/read. Post topics to present a side of the country you feel they should know about more than what normally comes up.

Previous to most recently, the tourist forums were routinely criticized for having trip reports that were "boring" - only info/photos about where the party stayed, what they saw off the resort, what foods they sampled, etc. Now the reports are criticized because in addition they involve personal interaction the tourist had with individuals met.

IS there a middle ground? What WOULD make an enjoyable read?

Or is tourism/tourists/tourist forums just another place to skip rather than read and have the blood pressure raised? [/qb]

mi still a try get ova dis yah....whoa....jamaican readers, u have now been given di backra pass fi visit de restricted resort town of jamaicans.com [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[SistahD]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

((evan)) want some company on the learning channel?? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[evanovitch]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Originally posted by SistahD:
[qb] ((evan)) want some company on the learning channel?? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

serious ting dis sistad...mek mi see if is just me , but did u read dat comment by the person and do a double take....mi did a wonda if is because mi sleep and wake up an maybe kine a woozy... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Sienna]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Eva, not sure how long you've been a member, but if your time dates back any longer than a year, you'd remember the days when I BEGGED Jamaiacans to PLEASE come by the tourist forums to share - info if currently still living in Jamaica, memories of when they WERE living here, questions, comments, ANYTHING! Just to have some participation...otherwise, the tourist forums were no different than an all-inclusive segregated hotel.

I'm still asking.

Without the asking (whining, begging, cajoling, and haranguing is too much effort and worthy of taking a broom to my backside), how can I get the message across to so many readers of the site who, as has been posted, feel 'unwelcome' there?

How many people does it take to make one feel welcome? I can only start with me. If I was Jamaican, would you feel more welcome?

[evanovitch]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

as a jamaican, i doan feel unwelcomed anywhere...as a jamaican, i have been brought up not to be wanton in my behaviour and even if i do slip between di cracks, i am not crass enuff to broadcast it...being jamaican i do not make it a habit to visit say the old 42nd avenues of the US hellbent on certain types of behaviour and then use , say, the NYorkers website to tell everyone who would be interested in things new york that the city is one big hookers and blue movie extravaganza....being jamaican, i may have been brought up in poverty construed circumstances but I have always been taught that class will always tell and the posts in that section tell me a lot....

[SistahD]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

((evan)) Picture this... JTB, Air Jamaica and Sandals Resorts all pushing for tourists to take part in all the beauty JA has to offer... highlighting Renta's and Hooka's... How much new or repeat business would they get? Great for family vacations.

Or picture this, my son (or daughter) has a report to do, and come to ja.com to learn about Jamaica... but instead of learning about the sights, the culture, the music, they learn about the 'action'. Should give them great marks at school!

It's not that Members are overlooking that these things exist, but where the problem lies is that certain members continually focus on their particular 'personal runnings' on a continual derogatory manner in almost every discussion on the boards, in every forum, implying this is all that JA has done to enrich their lives.


I've been heavily involved within the Jamaican communities here in Canada for almost 30 years, and have established contacts as well in the UK, and I would never presume to speak FOR a Jamaican, nor tell Jamaicans who they are, or what they are about, nor where they came from.


Yes, the trip reports should be interesting, with some excitement, some laughter, even some love or romance, but no one cares how many times someone got sexed, in what position, or where, leave some mystery... What they care about is the nasty way it makes outsiders and insiders perceive the individual, and their partners and their homeland. They are tired of the one track mind some individuals maintain -constantly, and the silly and condescending manner in which their comments are projected.

Personally, I certainly don't appreciate nor deserve the negative reflection on my character in general, as a white woman who would travel there, nor the derogatory comments suggesting that white women are going there to look for man, and that they must find the renta's to satisfy them.

The whole strain of the topic is not only insulting to Jamaicans, to Jamaica, but to white women as well! And no, mi nah pay fuh no man! (not in Canada, not anywhere)


Last year I was on the phone with the High Commissioner for Jamaica, His Excellency Raymond Wolfe, and after seeing my contributions to a variety of events and activities, he asked me "D, what drives you, how is it that you are so committed to this community?" My answer... "My son. His father has never done anything to contribute to his growth or education as a Jamaican, and I have always tried to expose him to as much of his other culture as possible. As he grows, the more he learns, and I am opening doors for him. When he's old enough, hopefully, he'll be able to walk through those doors as a man with knowledge."

[Night Nurse]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Originally posted by SistahD:

Personally, I certainly don't appreciate nor deserve the negative reflection on my character in general, as a white woman who would travel there, nor the derogatory comments suggesting that white women are going there to look for man, and that they must find the renta's to satisfy them.

sneak in, look roun, mek sure say everybady a sleep [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

((((SistaD))))

Thank you SistaD!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Sienna, what I encounter dung in your yaad seem to have become the accepted norm of crude, lude, triple X reports closely guarded by "cheerleaders" perched on the sidelines ready fi chew up and spit out any descent God-fearing person who opposes to that vulgarity.

I try not to visit your yaad because I truly believe that one day we will all "Discover" that among the regular posters were nutten but pedophiles, domina-tricks and prostitutes, and since I was brought up to believe that "if yu show mi yu company, I can tell yu who yu are", mi nuh wrap up wid bad company. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I ain't no hexpert, but I can suggess dat if you want to invite decent people to you yaad and encourage civilize communication, you muss furs:

Set up some GROUND RULES.

Then, throw some holy wata inna di four cawnaz, bunn some hinsence, sprinkle some powda, spray some freshina and opin di windaz fi naturally air out di place and hexpose di filth.

Don't leck nobady tell you differently. Then an ongle then will you be able to discourage di undesirables fram lurking about inna yu yaad. "Jamaicans" will then be encouraged to visit and bring your yaad up to Jam.com board standards. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

As Jamaicans, wi nuh too, too like fi go siddung and converse inna peeple dutty yaad [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Tropicana]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Well said SistahD and Night Nurse, well said.

Also, now that some time has passed, I have carefully reviewed both the rent a dread thread and the Jamaica: Acquiring Marketable Skills thread. The only person I could see hurling insults was SisterNancy. SisterNancy, you may want to examine why you are so defensive about these issues. Yes you are entitled to making choices but not everyone is going to have the same opinion about them as you do. When these choices are carried out in Jamaica and have an impact on the moral climate of our society, Jamaicans DO have a right to speak out about it. If you were so confident and sure that what you were doing was right and noble, I don't think that you would be so defensive. Stop and think about it and review both threads when you have time to calm down. As has been stated, you make some valuable contributions to discussions. I can see that even though I have just met you. People are providing you and others with some feedback about how these contributions might be enhanced and better received.

Walk good.

[SisterNancy]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Tropicana...I'm gone. Enough already. Get a life and stop being such a miserable human being. Life is so much more pleasant when you stop spending all your energy moralizing about and condescending to others. If you feel that powerless that you must spend your time doing that, perhaps you need to examine yourself. Leave me the **** alone now. Thank you.

MODERATER --- sorry --- but I've had about enough of this woman's sickness.

[evanovitch]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Originally posted by SistahD:
[qb] ((evan)) Picture this... JTB, Air Jamaica and Sandals Resorts all pushing for tourists to take part in all the beauty JA has to offer... highlighting Renta's and Hooka's... How much new or repeat business would they get? Great for family vacations.

Or picture this, my son (or daughter) has a report to do, and come to ja.com to learn about Jamaica... but instead of learning about the sights, the culture, the music, they learn about the 'action'. Should give them great marks at school!

It's not that Members are overlooking that these things exist, but where the problem lies is that certain members continually focus on their particular 'personal runnings' on a continual derogatory manner in almost every discussion on the boards, in every forum, implying this is all that JA has done to enrich their lives.


I've been heavily involved within the Jamaican communities here in Canada for almost 30 years, and have established contacts as well in the UK, and I would never presume to speak FOR a Jamaican, nor tell Jamaicans who they are, or what they are about, nor where they came from.


Yes, the trip reports should be interesting, with some excitement, some laughter, even some love or romance, but no one cares how many times someone got sexed, in what position, or where, leave some mystery... What they care about is the nasty way it makes outsiders and insiders perceive the individual, and their partners and their homeland. They are tired of the one track mind some individuals maintain -constantly, and the silly and condescending manner in which their comments are projected.

Personally, I certainly don't appreciate nor deserve the negative reflection on my character in general, as a white woman who would travel there, nor the derogatory comments suggesting that white women are going there to look for man, and that they must find the renta's to satisfy them.

The whole strain of the topic is not only insulting to Jamaicans, to Jamaica, but to white women as well! And no, mi nah pay fuh no man! (not in Canada, not anywhere)


Last year I was on the phone with the High Commissioner for Jamaica, His Excellency Raymond Wolfe, and after seeing my contributions to a variety of events and activities, he asked me "D, what drives you, how is it that you are so committed to this community?" My answer... "My son. His father has never done anything to contribute to his growth or education as a Jamaican, and I have always tried to expose him to as much of his other culture as possible. As he grows, the more he learns, and I am opening doors for him. When he's old enough, hopefully, he'll be able to walk through those doors as a man with knowledge." [/qb]

fanning miself while sipping on likkle whites mixed wid di good herb ..u mean seh sista d ,u is colour deficient [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] an u name sista d and play dominoes [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[evanovitch]

Re: Soooo I knwo we have freedom of speech to an extent here

Originally posted by SistahD:
[qb] ((evan)) Picture this... JTB, Air Jamaica and Sandals Resorts all pushing for tourists to take part in all the beauty JA has to offer... highlighting Renta's and Hooka's... How much new or repeat business would they get? Great for family vacations.

Or picture this, my son (or daughter) has a report to do, and come to ja.com to learn about Jamaica... but instead of learning about the sights, the culture, the music, they learn about the 'action'. Should give them great marks at school!

It's not that Members are overlooking that these things exist, but where the problem lies is that certain members continually focus on their particular 'personal runnings' on a continual derogatory manner in almost every discussion on the boards, in every forum, implying this is all that JA has done to enrich their lives.


I've been heavily involved within the Jamaican communities here in Canada for almost 30 years, and have established contacts as well in the UK, and I would never presume to speak FOR a Jamaican, nor tell Jamaicans who they are, or what they are about, nor where they came from.


Yes, the trip reports should be interesting, with some excitement, some laughter, even some love or romance, but no one cares how many times someone got sexed, in what position, or where, leave some mystery... What they care about is the nasty way it makes outsiders and insiders perceive the individual, and their partners and their homeland. They are tired of the one track mind some individuals maintain -constantly, and the silly and condescending manner in which their comments are projected.

Personally, I certainly don't appreciate nor deserve the negative reflection on my character in general, as a white woman who would travel there, nor the derogatory comments suggesting that white women are going there to look for man, and that they must find the renta's to satisfy them.

The whole strain of the topic is not only insulting to Jamaicans, to Jamaica, but to white women as well! And no, mi nah pay fuh no man! (not in Canada, not anywhere)


Last year I was on the phone with the High Commissioner for Jamaica, His Excellency Raymond Wolfe, and after seeing my contributions to a variety of events and activities, he asked me "D, what drives you, how is it that you are so committed to this community?" My answer... "My son. His father has never done anything to contribute to his growth or education as a Jamaican, and I have always tried to expose him to as much of his other culture as possible. As he grows, the more he learns, and I am opening doors for him. When he's old enough, hopefully, he'll be able to walk through those doors as a man with knowledge." [/qb]

fanning miself while sipping on likkle whites mixed wid di good herb ..u mean seh sista d ,u is colour deficient [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] an u name sista d and play dominoes [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]