Mahogany CoConut Blog

The Caribbean Is One Nation.                                                 Women’s Voices of the Jamaican Diaspora: Our Children Matter By, MICHELLE D. BERNARD Sunday, July 05, 2015 On June 18, 2015,  Michelle D. Bernard  , president & CEO of the Bernard Center for Women, Politics & Public Policy, delivered the following speech, “Women’s Voices of the Jamaican Diaspora: Our Children Matter,” before the  Kiwanis Club of New Kingston  on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. Coincidentally, Bernard’s speech was delivered on the final day of the   6 th  Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference  which took place in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  The following is an edited version of her June 18th remarks as delivered at the Jamaica Pegasus. These excerpts of Bernard’s speech were originally published on Sunday, July 5, 2...

The Caribbean Is One Nation.                                                                              Comments Caribbean Nation Flags We have previously expressed our position on a number of issues. Since many have resurfaced over the past weeks, we are offering brief comments on a number of them.   Gay Marriage  This ruling came as no surprise to the Mahogany Coconut Group (MCG). We have often expressed the view that denying individuals to choose their marital partners is a denial of their democratic rights. It is no different from denying a murderer the right to trial because we believe that taking a life is wrong. A society hiding behind religious and other positions, cannot seek to control the sexual behavior of consenting adults.   Child Abuse  Once ...

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Bajans Celebrate Day in Brooklyn By Michael Headley  On Saturday, July 11, 108th Street and Seaview Avenue, in Brooklyn New York - some coincidence- was flooded with Bajans and honourary Bajans, who had gathered to celebrate the Annual Barbados Festival Day. Unlike the Sargassum seaweed, which, unfortunately, has invaded some of the Barbados' lovely beaches, this crowd had blanketed the grass in the Canarsie park with a positive vibe. No lingering threat of workers' strikes prevailed and the weather was typical of the hot Caribbean climate which required the constant intake of liquids to stay hydrated. They came by their hundreds, some in wheel chairs, others assisted by canes, on foot, in cars, public transportation and charted buses to enjoy this day and more so to showcase their pride and industry. There was loud laughter, handshakes, fist bumps, hugs and kisses as friends and f...