Martha’s Vineyard becomes capital of black elite

[kia027]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Memba wen we discussed the Toure article we spoke of the blk presence there... the article stood out to mi because the Toure article had said blk elite supposedly not wanting the Obama's to come as they were fr the wrong side of the railroad track </div></div>

but you notice which media houses a fawn ova im presence dere doah?

[evanovitch]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

Dere is a pawt of this statement that is chubbling me how it strike u?

&quot;Black Entertainment Television chose the relatively inaccessible island — rather than New York — last week to launch its new Centric TV channel, aimed at middle-class blacks.&quot;

[miaman]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

MVis fah those that can afford it. No color line there as long as yuh got $$$$. But doan try to mek frens wid di locals. yuh get patronized till yuh han yuh munny go bak to di mainland.

[kia027]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dere is a pawt of this statement that is chubbling me how it strike u?

&quot;Black Entertainment Television chose the relatively inaccessible island — rather than New York — last week to launch its new Centric TV channel, aimed at middle-class blacks.&quot; </div></div>

it struck me the same way it struck you.. renk and outa arda

but BET is owned by Viacom and dem a tek libaty..

[Blackstar*]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">Dere is a pawt of this statement that is chubbling me how it strike u?

&quot;Black Entertainment Television chose the relatively inaccessible island — <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 11pt">rather than New York </span></span>— last week to launch its new Centric TV channel, aimed at middle-class blacks.&quot;</span> </div></div>What is that all about? Elite African-Americans have always been on Martha's Vineyard. Is only white people don't know that.

ETA: Another aspect of race relations in the US implied in this bit - &quot;relatively inaccessible&quot; - is this: since it's unconstitutional to restrict access to areas of the country by race, the majority population use public transportation (or lack thereof) to keep darker-skinned undesirables out. Anyplace that is &quot;relatively inaccessible&quot; is usually so by design, especially the densely populated NE corner of the US.

[Blackstar*]

Re: Martha’s Vineyard becomes capital of black elite

And on the topic of &quot;Jamaicans are everywhere...&quot;

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">“Right now, on a scale of 1 to 10, the mood is over 10. We are looking forward to this historic visit,” said <span style="font-weight: bold">Deon Thomas, the Jamaican-born owner of Deon’s restaurant in Oak Bluffs.</span> “We love him very much.”</span> </div></div>

[julie*mango]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

Centric TV...I wonder what kind of programming they have...more Tavis Smilie?

[goldilocks]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

Yes, the Cape and Islands get a large population of Jamaican workers who come up for the hotel/restaurant industry. Many have stayed and open their own businesses. There is a small working farm near my house that has a Jamaican night buffet that started as just a get together for Jamaican workers. Now they are serving jerk, rice &amp; peas, all kinds of salads, festival, etc. for $20US a plate! They served 450 people last Wednesday!

[ColeS]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

We go to Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod every summer and Fall. Only an hour drive or so from us. I met a cousin on the cape a couple years ago. He had come up from Jamaica on one of those programs, and I just kinda ran into him in Chatham! Funny.

But to back up some of the other statements - Martha's Vineyard (more so than cape and the other islands) have been a big spot for black elites for years and years. It goes way way back.

I do beleive though that it will be even more so because of Obama's visit.

Oprah and other celebrities were just here a couple weeks ago for Eunice Kennedy's funeral. I guess they will be back for Ted Kennedy's funeral, that is if they are not already here.

[Xavier]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

I wonder if he will eat some Jerk Chicken at Deon's

[ColeS]

Re: Martha’s Vineyard becomes capital of black elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">to me martha's vineyard is overated

<span style="font-weight: bold">lining up to take the ferry in and out is not fun</span>

and for this southern gal - transplanted - the ocean is too darn cold for swimming

i did get to meet spike lee tho' - he has a house there

</div></div>

That would only be annoying if you are not staying on the Island. If you catch the ferry over every day from the mainland, yes, that becomes tiring. But if you are staying over and you catch the ferry on your arrival and return, it can be a comfortable soothing ride.

[Xavier]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

Here is an article on Jamaicans that are there.

Title: From Jamaica to the Vineyard
Author: By SHELLEY CHRISTIANSEN
Source: Martha's Vineyard Magazine



For years, Jamaicans have been an integral part of the seasonal work force of the Vineyard. Now new rules concerning H-2B visas mean many can't return to the Island.
By SHELLEY CHRISTIANSEN

April is here, yet North Road in Chilmark has barely gotten the memo. The Menemsha Inn will open for business next weekend, but for now, the grounds remain ghostly and still, save for the dune grasses quivering in a breeze off the Sound. The breeze picks up the warm aroma of something cooking with curry.

women at Menemsha
Sonia Thompson, Roselyn Clark, and Cheryl Shaw worked the Colorado ski season instead of going home to Jamaica, so they could return to their jobs on the Vineyard this summer.
Cheryl Shaw, Roselyn Clark, and Sonia Thompson are taking it easy on this Sunday, their day off. Since their arrival on-Island last week, the three housekeepers have been opening, cleaning, and fluffing up guest rooms and cottages – the very same rooms and cottages they shut down in October before heading home for the winter. Home is the island of Jamaica. It’s also home to thousands of other “guest workers,” in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services lingo, who come to the Vineyard year after year to feed the hearty appetite of the high-season labor market. From the bloom of spring daffodils to the fall of autumn leaves, they drive cabs, mop floors, launder sheets, whack weeds, bus tables, haul baggage, sell souvenirs, and stuff ice cream cones. A few rungs up the ladder, some work as sous chefs, front desk managers, spa therapists, bookkeepers, skilled maintenance staff, maitres d’s, and concierges. Imagine the confounded visitor who gets an informed tip on New England chowder or directions to South Beach in a voice that evokes Negril.

Most Jamaicans work in the United States at the mercy of temporary, “non-immigrant,” H-2B visas, which were created to support local economies with seasonal spikes in non-agricultural labor demand. That’s government longhand for “resorts.” The Jamaica Central Labour Organisation, for its part, actively encourages its citizens to seek job opportunities in the United States through its Overseas Employment Programme. Put the two initiatives together, and for 2007, for example, you get 14,682 Jamaicans working in the United States on H-2B visas. After Mexico, Jamaica sends more guest workers to the U.S. than any other foreign country.

These visas are good for up to six months, and guest workers must earn the same wages and benefits that locals would get. A season’s worth of earnings in the states, and on the Vineyard in particular, can exceed what a Jamaican might make at home in a full year. Hence, despite round-trip air fares, visa fees, and other ancillary costs that may or may not be subsidized by their employers, Jamaicans beat a lucrative path back to Martha’s Vineyard time and again.

See the rest of the story here

[Gen]

Re: Obama’s vacation spot has strong links to black history

nah man dat nuh chobble me cause anybody weh a smaddy know seh BET pass it prime, the network is irrelevant and full up a bare fawt mi nuh know a who still watch dat fawt. suh mek dem gwaan guh launch up deh, dem in denial.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dere is a pawt of this statement that is chubbling me how it strike u?

&quot;Black Entertainment Television chose the relatively inaccessible island — rather than New York — last week to launch its new Centric TV channel, aimed at middle-class blacks.&quot; </div></div>

[Seveen]

Re: Martha’s Vineyard becomes capital of black elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coless</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">to me martha's vineyard is overated

<span style="font-weight: bold">lining up to take the ferry in and out is not fun</span>

and for this southern gal - transplanted - the ocean is too darn cold for swimming

i did get to meet spike lee tho' - he has a house there

</div></div>

That would only be annoying if you are not staying on the Island. If you catch the ferry over every day from the mainland, yes, that becomes tiring. But if you are staying over and you catch the ferry on your arrival and return, it can be a comfortable soothing ride. </div></div>

the ride was comfortable and soothing - waiting in line was not - LOL

[Seveen]

Re: Martha’s Vineyard becomes capital of black elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kia</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">to me martha's vineyard is overated

lining up to take the ferry in and out is not fun

and for this southern gal - transplanted - the ocean is too darn cold for swimming

i did get to meet spike lee tho' - he has a house there

</div></div>

den y u neva fly in? </div></div>

'cause we needed the car