now i live here and my rose tinted glasses are off i can appreciate what i love about Jamaica but still there are some things about the culture here that im struggling with. and before anyone gets defensive of course there is negative in every culture. i could also list what i hate about british culture. but this site is about Jamaica. so im just interested to hear if anyone here gets bugged by the same things as me...

what bugs me is....

1. the general culture of 'beating' people as punishment e.g. beating children, beating women, beating gays, vigilante beatings, police beatings etc etc. the same people who either do the beating or condone it by accepting it are generally the ones who get dressed in all their finest to go to church on Sunday to impress the pastor, or the 'peace' loving Jah worshippers who suddenly forget violence isnt part of their religion when it comes to someone disobeying their orders.

2. attitude towards gays - come on, being gay isnt either a choice or a sin. how can people sin against a religion they are not part of, and choice? do you really believe anyone would choose to get persecuted and vilified so much?

3. intrusive news coverage - when a tragedy occurs the cameras are straight on the scene shoving a camera and microphone in bereaved people faces. jesus give people dignity, turn the cameras off!

whats bugs you...?

The violence is largely due to poverty and the stresses that produces.

The attitude about gays goes back to poverty.

Poor people are more inclinded to embrace religion as a means of relief from their condition. When religion has rules against being gay, that is impressed upon the followers of that religion, and eventually works it's way into the social fabric and the laws that govern that society.

As for intrusive news coverage, it's the same all over the world. We are just a little more polite about it in western media.

What bugs me about Jamaica?

The fact that you still haven't got your independence from countries more powerful than yourself.

I want to see a Jamaica that can stand on it's own two feet without any handouts from Uncle Sam or any of the other well known loan sharks.


x

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Destroyer Of Worlds

What bugs me about Jamaica:

The deplorable condition of the schools, the roads and the living condiitions of many people.

The corrupt government that causes the above condiitions and further helps to bring the country down instead of up.

The antiquated ways of doing business at banks and other business establishments, and the long lines or waiting required to accomplish your business.

Now we also need to remember the good things about Jamaica:

The many talented men and women making a living with their wares.

The smiling, curious children who are very candid in their remarks.

The beauty of the island, i.e. the seashores, the mountains, the little hidden surprises of the small areas, and again the beauty of the people.

Sad to say, LS,
There may still be a little bit of glitter left on your once rose-colored glasses.

NOT ALL JAMIACANS, but Jamaicans by nature do not believe that homosexuality is an illness.

Why many Ja'cans 'tolerate' gays, even in America today, there is still often a deep seated resentment for them...Especially the gay men.

ONCE AGAIN...NOT ALL JAMAICANS. BUT IMO, the vast majority.

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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Xenon,

You mean that there are actually third world countries out there that has TRULY got their independence from countries more powerful than themselves???

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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You mean that doesnt happen in the States,UK and all over the world????
Hmmm

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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Sorry if you misunderstood. Im not picking on JA or Jamaicans. Didnt I say in my quote that equally i could list things about my own country? (and trust me theres even more of them, enough to piss me off enough to leave) Im also generalising. Therefore the things that have stood out for me in general Jamaican culture compared to my own general culture are the things Ive listed. With regard to your comments on religion and gays, yes it is indeed my strong opinion that I am entitled to believe that any religion that encourages condemnation of people and physical violence is a man made religion. And though I used them as examples my point is not against Christians or Rastas but against hypocrites. It is also very different having deep seated resentment i.e. a prejudice (we all have them in one way or another). But acting on that prejudice is where the problem lies. And I would say again GENERALLY that a gay person is highly likely to get beaten in this country whereas other countries may not like it but dont act on it as much.

I hear you LS,

But
1. How does a christian's belief in chastizement or punishment of sin, make them out to be a hypocrite?
As I have already stated, almost ALL religions have had some form of punishment for sin; be it today or some time in history..

Didn't the jews flog as well as stone to death the followers of christ for preaching the gospel?
Dont they too, believe that a woman caught comiting adultery should be stoned to death?

Doesnt the Muslims behead women who are caught comitting adultery and cut off the hands or heads of those caught stealing?

Isn't the primary construct of Buddhism to preserve all life, yet in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Mongolia (Buddhist countries) there is stil the Death Penalty?

Doesnt the code of justice for Hinduism supports the death penalty?

2. Jamaicans as you have now realize has a high contempt and low tolerance for homosexuality. IT IS WRONG TO BRING PHYSICAL HARM TO AN INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL PERSUASION, but it is equally wrong (In my book) to accept such behavior as "normal".

The UK is rife with class and ethnic prejudice.
The USA is inundated with racism and prejudice, be it women or racial minorities.

I too was disgusted at the so-called "half-cast" in the UK during the 80's who showed open contempt for the "Blacks" and refused to acknowledge themselves as being Black.

My point is, you are now in a totally different culture from which you are familiar; and as such, you will see things that conflict with your own sense of morality and justice.

I cant see any hypocracy there.

Still, I personally welcome your perspective.

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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Yes that is my point too, i am in a totally different culture and am pointing out the differences that im not comfortable with. Not sure though where you got the story of mixed race people denouncing their 'blackness' in 80s UK. I was there and i didnt see or hear it? Though its very true to say there are ethnic, class and gender divisions that disgust me from a so-called developed country.

That is also my point that all religions have hypocrites,as you say. People preaching love, harmony and doing Gods will then going home to beat their wife and kids. I think you can probably guess im not religious & for those who are thats fine. My objection is people not religion. The people who hurt others. The fact that the majority in this country ARE religious and the majority DO beat children especially as a form of punishment is a strong enough correlation for me to call them hypocrites.

TO CLEAR UP A COMMON MISCONCEPTION:
Jamaicans are predominantly "christian-based...not christians.

That means that for most of us, we were brought up on a christian foundation...

We were christened as babies, swear on the Bible in a court of law, celebrate Easter and Christmas, get married in a church and place a cross over the graves of our dead.

That does not mean that the majority of Jamaicans go to church, pay tithes, observe the Ten commandments nor partake of communion.

While we may hold the world's record for the most churches per square mile, Jamaica is as sinful and crime-ridden as any other average country in the world: No better, no worst.

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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While we may hold the world's record for the most churches per square mile, Jamaica is as sinful and crime-ridden as any other average country in the world: No better, no worst.[/quote]

Spare the rod, spare the child??? Do people really act violently because of 6 words written in a book? Thats a poor excuse.

As i was comparing 2 countries, my own (UK) and Jamaica, i stand by what i say. In Jamaica physical violence is much much more accepted.

what do you consider beating a child?

I believe in whippings...

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"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies"

Proverbs 31; 10

because some children it takes that for them to learn...

not all... some kids you can beat them black and blue and it won't make a difference...

I say do whatever you have to do to make sure your children grow up right with respect and honor.

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"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies"

Proverbs 31; 10

I'm shocked

I think parents hit there children because of there own fustration and inadequacies. My parents hit me when I'd been naughty, but only because of there own excasperation.

There is no excuse for hitting a child. It's pathetic and exposes the ignorance of the parent.

I have never hit my child. And only felt like doing so when I'd run out of other options - ie when I was found lacking - but I somehow managed to get through it, and I would send a message to other parents to do the same.

all that teaches them is fear, anger, humiliation. id rather someone respected me for the good i did not because they were scared of me.