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By Shannay Porter Beyond the rich culture and resilience of Jamaica, stands the often overlooked yet deep-rooted issue of colorism. Stemming from the island’s colonial past, colorism has since cemented itself in Jamaican society and created division among citizens. Its history begins with the British who institutionalized a hierarchy based on skin color that divided and oppressed the enslaved. The light-skinned Mulattos were biracial children, who were the product of rape, and received a better quality of life than the dark-skinned Africans. They lived in better quarters, wore better clothes, and worked less strenuous jobs in the ‘Great House.’ These Mulattos acted as a buffer between the British enslavers and the enslaved Africans. Following the abolition of slavery and the independence of Jamaica, skin color still had a heavy influence on relations within the country. Today this is recognized as colorism, and defined as discrimination based on skin color that occurs within a racial group. Brianna Brown, a dark-skinned Jamaican, believes that people with lighter skin are placed on a pedestal in Jamaica. Witnessing colorism throughout her life greatly affected how she viewed herself and her skin tone. “I would say that at a point in time, I had the mindset that the lighter you are, the better you are, but I learned that that isn’t true. And it’s really just a very sad thing that is in our society that I think we really need to change,” she added. Often the result of experiencing colorism is desiring to be lighter. Brown explained the results of her experience stating, “I think for a while I longed to be lighter or not be as dark or as deep in skin tone, and I think that’s a common thing that we face, you know, wanting to be lighter. Especially because of the treatment that we see that they receive, I think that’s the biggest thing, just because of how they are perceived and treated better…and they’re seen as more attractive. And so, I’d say obviously, no, I’m not of that mindset [anymore] but I’ve developed a deep appreciation for my skin.” Isahai Johnson, a young Jamaican woman who has had her plight with colorism, explained that she constantly dealt with others having a negative perception of her because of her skin tone. “I became familiar with the term ‘pretty privilege’ in my late teens as I was searching for an explanation regarding the disconnect between the individuals that looked like me and those who possessed more Eurocentric features,” she stated. By Isahai Johnson Isahai Johnson Johnson added that the standard of beauty in Jamaica is Eurocentric features. “My traits have never allowed me to be closely identified with the standard of beauty in Jamaica. I was always told that I need to bleach my skin, that the reason I was so dark was cause I was constantly in the sun or I’m not showering properly. In its entirety, I was undesirable, dirty, and just [existed] to be the punchline in a lot of jokes,” she explained. Colorism has also had an overwhelming presence in Jamaica’s music industry where many artists are vocal about and advocate for skin-bleaching. However, in recent years the tides have begun to change. In October 2013, Vybz Kartel released the song “School” which advocated for Jamaican students to dedicate themselves to their education. He also spoke out against skin bleaching in “School” which was a significant change to his usual tune of encouraging it. Most recently, artists such as Spice and Shaneil Muir have spearheaded the campaign against colorism in Jamaica with their music. In October 2018, the Dancehall Queen released her song “Black Hypocrisy” which empowered dark-skinned Black women and spoke out against racism. Prior to the release of her song, Spice executed a stunt where she posted pictures of herself with lighter skin, lighter eyes, and blonde hair. Her Instagram posts sparked controversy as her fans and the public reacted to the drastic changes. Some individuals were supportive and understood the value of her message, while others were not. Nevertheless, the Grammy-nominated artist created awareness for not only her song but also the issue of colorism. In 2022, Shaneil Muir released “Black Is Beautiful” to uplift Jamaicans and other Black people around the world. Now 23 years old, Brown is more comfortable in her skin, and advises anyone facing colorism to understand that they are not defined by their skin. “It’s [only] a part of you and you should embrace it,” she stated. She also encouraged Jamaicans to be more vocal about colorism. “One of the most important ways that we can combat colorism is by speaking up, and having the conversation more, talking about it, allowing more people to learn about it, and learn that, you know, it’s wrong. It’s not something that we should be doing because children are affected by it, adults are affected by it, and it doesn’t help anybody in the long run,” she expressed. She continued to add, “So I think it’s important that we have the conversation and education about it from a very young age and [about] where we’re coming from. Jamaica is diverse, we are a melting pot, so it’s important that we embrace that diversity…or else we’re just gonna have a society that is very low in self-esteem.” Johnson also emphasized that Jamaica should focus on educating the younger generation about their African roots. She explained that “encouraging [them to connect] their identity with their roots outside of slavery will have a significant turnaround; teaching young boys and girls that their ancestry didn’t begin with slavery. I just recently learned that a lot of heritage hails from the Akan tribe in Ghana, it’s empowering.”

By Shannay Porter Keshév Wynter acknowledges the impact of texturism but cannot deny the convenience of chemically processed hair. “I really do love my own hair in its natural state. It’s just that I cannot be bothered to comb it because of the time constraints, the products that it will need, the time that you have to invest into combing your hair also, and getting protective styles done,” she stated. Wynter first got her hair relaxed when she was between the ages of 9 and 10 years old. Since then, she has been chemically processing her hair every few weeks to keep it straight. “I was told that my hair was too thick, and it was hard to comb and so it was a bit of a struggle… and I lived with my grandparents, and she was having a bit of a challenge getting my hair combed,” she explained. Along with the negative comments about her hair, Wynter has also witnessed others experience texturism. “I’ve heard of persons being discriminated for the type of hair that they have whether in my family or friend [groups]…Oh, yuh hair too thick. Your hair is too nappy. Your hair is too short. Yuh head tuff. It hard to comb. Yuh head dry. If you don’t have a ‘nice’ curl pattern, they just think that you don’t have good hair,” she added. The 23-year-old emphasized that she did not relax her hair out of insecurity and would have loved it in its natural state. “To me, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t think I remember how my natural hair looks on me since it has been so long because that was from in the third grade that I got it processed, but I think I’d be okay with either straightened or natural hair,” Wynter stated. Although she isn’t insecure about her natural hair, Wynter doesn’t plan on going natural any time soon, “I’ve thought about it a few times but when I look back on the fact that I would have to, you know, find products…for proper grooming and to take care of it, that’s [a challenge.] And I really like the fact that having relaxed hair helps me to just brush and go,” she expressed. While she has enjoyed a life of having chemically processed hair, the St. Elizabeth native does advise anyone considering relaxing their hair to think about their decision stating, “They have to think about it because as well as natural hair, straightened hair takes a lot of work also. You have to moisturize. You have to make sure that you take care of your hair so that there is no breakage. You have to wash it on time. You have to remember that you need to relax it on time also. And you need to have the correct products and you need to find something that works well for you.” Wynter continued to add, “I just think that if you feel like you need to straighten your hair, then, for whichever reason, I think that you should [but] look at the pros and the cons of doing it…You might regret it and want to go back natural, but then, you might not get back the same texture as you had in the first place. I‘ve heard of persons who have relaxed their hair, and when they went back natural, they did not have the same hair texture. It either was more coarse, or it was [thinner].” The student leader believes that texturism has a great impact on not only adults but also children. She believes that rather than teaching children how to take care of their natural hair many parents are changing its texture with potentially harmful chemicals. “I think that texturism is an issue in Jamaica because a lot of young kids get relaxed hair all because of the texture of their hair. Their parents [are] managing it or [they are] managing it themselves [and] they’re just trying to find an easier way out,” she explained.

Protect Our Daughters and Sons from Sexual Violence Poster By Shannay Porter An 11-year-old boy recently sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl at a primary school in Kingston, and the case has been sparking public outrage.  It occurred on March 11, when the male student dragged the female student into a classroom to assault her. Following the news , there have been an uproar of public discourse and multiple comments calling for the release of the male student’s name as well as for criminal charges to be filed against him, however, under the Child Care and Protection Act, the age of criminal liability in Jamaica is 12 years old. This leaves the 6-year-old child to deal with the trauma of having her innocence stripped away while receiving no justice.  Similarly, in February, officials reported  that a man of unsound mind brutally assaulted and killed a 14-year-old girl, Price Johnson. These assaults are not few and far between; they occur often, and many go unreported while victims suffer in silence.  They also cite a larger issue at hand - one that has been brewing beneath the surface for decades. Jamaica has been facing a sexual assault justice and victim protection crisis, and the outrage sparked by each assault doesn’t last long enough to catalyze significant change. Many victims whose stories are told only remain the trending news topic for a few days, then the coverage slows until the next attack. How long will we remain complacent with the lack of necessary action?   In Jamaica, the Sexual Offenses Act of 2009 is the law that governs the prosecution of sexual offenses such as rape. The most recent changes  that were made to this law were over a decade ago, therefore, the act requires reform to safeguard citizens and prevent criminals from having the power to repeat their actions. Furthermore, Jamaica’s sex offenders list  is not public. It is confidential and only accessible to certain individuals and organizations who have legitimate interests, such as law enforcement. This begs the question, “Does the public not have legitimate reasons and rights to know the names and faces of the men and women who have committed these violent acts?” Additionally, offenders are kept on the list  for a minimum of 10 years, after which they may be eligible for termination of registration and reporting requirements. This also begs the questions, “Does the trauma of their actions have an expiration date?” and “When will their victims receive full recovery from the experience forced upon them?” The current laws  also do not make it a requirement for victims to be informed if their attackers move into their communities. This creates a lack of security for victims and their families while giving abusers free reign to move as they please. It also highlights the critical need for public awareness as this lack of transparency only protects the criminals while their victims live with the trauma and the potential of future victims becomes more likely. Rapists do not deserve to live comfortably while their crimes are swept under the rug by the government and victims are facing the damages of being violated. Their names, addresses, and photographs should be public. While those in opposition of a public registry argue that it could lead to public attacks and emphasize the importance of rehabilitating these individuals, this sentiment completely disregards the safety of the victims. It is important to recognize that it is an active choice to commit such violent acts and, when done, the choice is forcibly taken from the victims. Therefore, the rights and safety of victims and the general public must take precedence. According to the Sexual Offences Act , the Minister, which is the Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, can create a regulation to publicize the registry among other actions, however, the regulation will need to be approved by Parliament to come into effect. In June 2024, the Jamaica Gleanor reported that Dr. Chang had directed his ministry’s legal team to review the act stating , “ I have asked the legal team within the Ministry of National Security to examine the law to determine the extent to which it allows for wider publication of the names of convicted sexual offenders. I have moved to have my team review the law in light of concerns that the list of stakeholders who should have access to the information should be wider .” Since then, there have been no further updates; however, multiple sexual crimes have since been reported, which have left Jamaicans at home and abroad feeling angry and devastated.  Sexual assault is not a crime that should be taken lightly. It is one of the vilest acts a human being can commit, and it must be appropriately addressed with empathy and consideration for the victim, strict consequences for the offender, and a sincere commitment by the law to ensure that offenders are not given the freedom to repeat this cruel act. As Jamaicans, as human beings, as survivors or potential victims, we must push our government to take the necessary actions to safeguard our women, children, elderly, disabled, and men.  It is time to make rapists uncomfortable. Jamaican society, like many other countries around the world, has had a history of either condemning or not believing victims who speak up about their abuse. This has fostered a feeling of ease for offenders who feel supported by community members who turn a blind eye to the suffering victims.  While the Sexual Offenses Act does need reform, the prevalent societal mindset concerning sex and sexual abuse also needs to change. Adults must stop blaming youths for promiscuity and should compassionately approach them and give them a platform to be seen and heard. Children and young adults who face issues stemming from their family life and experiences are turning to sex, drugs, alcohol, and other destructive methods to cope because they believe they have no one to turn to. Developing mentorship programs and providing mental health services will go a long way in providing youths with the care they may need. There should also be requirements for comprehensive sexual education and mental health courses in all Jamaican schools, beginning at the primary school level. We must be committed to especially protecting our youth and leaving no stone unturned for these vile people to live under. In our efforts to condemn the perpetrators of sexual offenses, we must remember the names of the victims but must also never forget the names and faces of their attackers. It is time to spotlight these criminals by changing the narrative from “They were assaulted by…” to “They assaulted…” Jamaica is a country that is rich in many great things and has bred many great people, yet issues like sexual assault continue to plague our society. While units  such as the Center for Investigation of Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse (CISOCA) exist within the Jamaica Constabulary Force to investigate these crimes and be a sanctuary for survivors, there is still more work to be done.  Among the previously mentioned solutions, the law also needs to expand its definition of sexual assault to omit any legal loopholes and create special exceptions regarding the age of criminal responsibility for serious crimes such as rape. In our communities, victims and vulnerable citizens must be made to feel safe and not ashamed to speak up but instead empowered. Without these changes, we continue to risk the safety and well-being of every victim, child, and vulnerable adult.

Jamaican Students Speaking Patois in the U.S. By Shannay Porter Latanya Porter and Britannia Croll holding Jamaican flag When moving to America, Britannia Croll never expected that she would ever be ashamed of her native dialect, yet, after constantly being mocked and told to speak proper English by teachers and peers, Croll made attempts to purge herself of her native tongue. Patois is the native dialect of Jamaica while English is the country’s official language. The history of Patois stems from slavery when enslaved people came together to create a dialect out of rebellion against slave masters. Patois is heavily influenced by English, Spanish, African languages such as Twi and Kwa, and French. It is a dialect that tells of the history and strength of Jamaica. Jamaican students in the United States have often faced being mocked for their accents and pronunciation which has caused many Jamaican students to lose confidence in themselves and their dialect. CAU junior, Morgan Salmon explains that her experience with being mocked has led to a lack of confidence in herself. She also added to her statement saying, “I have a thick Jamaican accent, but I do speak English and I know I can be understood but I don’t think Americans make an effort to understand me and often times mock my pronunciation of words or straight up imply that I do not speak English even though it is my first language.” While some Americans mock the dialect others attempt to speak Patois to Jamaicans out of respect or appreciation. Croll discusses her experience with these Americans stating, “Some Americans are respectful to Jamaican culture, particularly our language or accent.” Salmon also commented stating, “I think Americans who want to educate themselves about other cultures and are open to having conversations are typically very respectful of my culture. From these individuals I receive many compliments on my accent and language, and genuine questions about it. There are many other Americans who base their conversations on gross stereotypes and those are the ones I find to be disrespectful.” Jelani Luke, an American junior at CAU stated that he believed that Jamaican students had a right to feel offended from being mocked. However, he also believed that there is a difference between an American attempting to speak Patois out of respect and an American mocking a Jamaican, with the latter being disrespectful. Jade Davis, an American CAU student who has befriended many Jamaicans at CAU since Fall 2021 also agreed with Luke stating that if she does try to speak Patois it is out of respect or admiration for Jamaican culture. She explains her understanding of Patois stating, “My understanding has grown immensely since befriending my Jamaican friends. I almost know how to use the words together. I’m getting there.” Patois has also been referred to as broken English by both Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans which has caused mixed reactions throughout the years. Croll states her position on the matter saying, “Patois is not broken English. The language itself stems from ancestral tongues and is heavily influenced by different languages. I don’t like when people refer to my native tongue as broken because there is a lot more to the language than just being referred to as broken English.” Latanya Porter, a CAU student also added her opinion stating, “When one refers to something as broken, you get the sense that whatever they are alluding to needs to be fixed. Patois is a language that took inspiration from multiple different languages. It is not fragmented English words; therefore, to refer to it as broken English is not right.” While both Croll and Porter disagreed with referring to Patois as broken English, Morgan Salmon and Lionae Heron disagreed and stated that they were fine with the reference. The dialect, whether it is referred to as broken English or not, is a significant part of Jamaican culture, and many Jamaicans take pride in expressing themselves in Patois. Croll has since become one of these proud Jamaicans, who after attempting to purge herself of her dialect has instead fully embraced it. Croll now appreciates the dialect, its history and its importance to Jamaican culture, and she looks forward to educating others about her culture.

Mental Health and the Immigrant Experience By Shannay Porter Britannia Croll on CAU's campus Moving to a new country and moving to go to college are two very isolating experiences that when combined may be detrimental to an individual’s mental health. Jamaican students who move to the United States to attend Clark Atlanta University have varying experiences where some students are positively affected while others are negatively affected. The venture of moving can be exciting like all new things in life are, however, it also can be equally scary. According to Imagine Health, many immigrants experience anxiety and/or depression when moving to new countries as they face the stress of adjusting to a new culture, the long distance between them and their families, homesickness, and language barriers. Britannia Croll, a CAU freshman describes her experience stating, “Living in the United States has affected my mental health drastically simply because it’s a different environment with different cultures and different people. Having to adapt to such a difference is not only challenging physically but mentally. I had to learn how to adapt and navigate change the way I live my everyday life just to fit in and that took a toll on my mental health.” CAU junior, Morgan Salmon also describes her experience saying, “I have learned that I am happier and more mentally stable at home around people I relate to more and with great- er access to the things I really need.” While Croll and Salmon were negatively affected by their move to America, Lionae Heron, another CAU student explains that her mental health was kept intact as she had always wanted to leave home. Like all immigrants who are far away from home these Jamaican students at CAU have to develop methods of keeping in touch with their family and friends back home to remedy homesickness. Two of the most popular ways that Jamaican students cope with feeling homesick are by calling home or visiting home. Salmon states that she keeps in contact with her family and friends through daily text messages and weekly video calls. Croll also describes how she deals with missing home stating, “Feeling homesick is something I feel ever so often. One of the ways I cope with feeling homesick is by calling family back home or re-watching memories that were filmed while home.” Latanya Porter, a CAU business major, states that she talks to her mom in Jamaica as well as listens to Jamaican music and watches videos of her life in Jamaica. Porter also uses social media as means of remeding homesickness by watching Jamaican content creators. Though calling or video-calling home is the quickest and most cost-effective method of being with family and friends, travelling back to Jamaica is the best method of curing homesickness. Many Jamaicans look forward to trips back home as they can reunite with loved ones, become reacquainted with their island home, and be relieved of the stress of being an immigrant. However, travelling back home is increasingly becoming a stressful op- tion as ticket prices continue to rise. Croll describes her experience stating, “I don’t visit Jamaica as often as I’d like simply because plane tickets are so high. As of recently, I only visited Jamaica for Christmas.” Though life as an immigrant and a college student in the United States is not easy, many Jamaican students find the experience to be worth it as they are pursuing better futures for themselves. Some Jamaican students have plans to live out their futures in the United States while others prefer to return home after their matriculation at Clark Atlanta University. Heron discusses her plans stating, “The U.S. has far better opportunities rather than trying to survive in Jamaica. I’m living in the U.S.” Croll gave an opposing statement saying, “I do not see myself living in the United States full time. I didn’t come to the United States to live full time. I came here for an opportunity for a better future for myself, my family and the family that I will have in the future. After obtaining all my goals in America, I hope to move back to Jamaica and build a home of my own.” Salmon also added her plans stating, “If I were to live in the U.S. full time, it would be while I am young and trying to build a life for myself. I would move home to raise a family and enjoy my older days.” Salmon then added her aspirations stating, “I hope to become an attorney at law in the future and be able to practice in multiple jurisdictions. I would love to get married and have at least two children.” Croll also discussed her future stating, “I aspire to graduate from college and further my education in the medical field, become a certified nurse, anesthesiologist or a CRNA. Once I’m financially stable, I hope to marry the love of my life and start a family.” Heron added that her hopes are to become a lawyer and to be of service to her family in Jamaica, while Porter aspires to open multiple restaurants. Jade Davis, U.S. citizen and CAU student gives advice to Jamaican students struggling with mental health stating, “Find a way or make one is the motto to live by, never let anything get in the way of your purpose and your reason why.” Salmon, who is almost at the end of her academic career at CAU reflects on her growth since living in America stating, ‘I think I’ve adapted pretty well being in the U.S. especially considering I travelled here quite often before moving for school. I find myself to be more confident, independent, and fearless. I’m more open to friendships and meeting people as well. I’ve learned a lot about the Black-American culture and have found many ways in which it links to my Caribbean culture.” Like Salmon, other Jamaican students will find their way as they continue to grow and adjust to life in the United States.

How living in the U.S. affects Jamaican students By Shannay Porter Latanya Porter and Britannia Croll on CAU's campus You have made it to the United States where you will embark on a new journey at Clark Atlanta University and you are excited for the future, but the land of opportunity is not easy to navigate. Culture shock is setting in, and the drastic differences between Jamaica and America are becoming more apparent. Some of the cultural differences are surprising while others are expected, however you will try your best to navigate this new country as you pursue higher education and other goals. Jamaican students attending Clark Atlanta University face many different struggles, such as communication barriers, limited access to authentic food, lost contact with home, and dealing with Americans not being aware of their culture,e which negatively affect them as they work towards earning their degrees and accomplishing their goals. While facing these challenges, Jamaican students have had to push forward and focus on their reasons for being in America rather than the downsides to being in America. For For many Jamaican students, the opportunity to study abroad is amazing, as many Jamaicans believe higher education can help them escape poverty. Jamaicans acknowledge that while the island is beautiful with a rich history and culture, opportunities are few; therefore, going abroad to countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. is the best option. However, this trend of Jamaicans leaving the country has caused Jamaica to experience a brain drain as some people do not return to live in Jamaica and make these new countries their permanent homes. Jamaican students who make the choice to attend university in the United States have a unique experience to other Jamaicans who come to America for seasonal jobs. These Jamaican students are often young, and some may or may not have travelled to the United States before, however, many of their experiences are very similar. One of the greatest struggles that Jamaican students at CAU face is communication. Though Jamaicans speak English, and it is the country’s official language, they also speak a native dialect, Patois, and they have a heavy Caribbean accent. Jamaicans speaking English in the United States have often been met with other people mocking their accent as well as faced with criticism that the English they are speaking isn’t “proper.” Lionae Heron, a CAU freshman, states that the greatest struggle she faced while being in America is communication, “Many do not understand what I am saying because of the accent.” Another CAU freshman, Britannia Croll, explained that she felt like she had to hide her authentic self and her accent when she wanted to fit into certain non-Caribbean spaces. Another struggle that Jamaican students at Clark Atlanta University face is accessing authentic Jamaican foods such as cooked meals, seasonings, fruits, ground provisions, or snacks. While the United States is known to be a melting pot of cultures, finding authentic Jamaican restaurants and grocery stores is not easy. Many students prefer to bring food from the island, and when their supply runs out, they shop at stores such as Walmart that have select items. However, some students must adapt to eating the food provided to them in the university’s cafeteria because of financial challenges. By Shannay Porter Clark Atlanta University's campus Jamaican students at CAU also face difficulties with maintaining relationships with their family and friends in Jamaica. Some students may immediately start to feel the isolation that comes with moving to a new country and may be hesitant to communicate their feelings to loved ones back home because they don’t want them to worry. For other students, the physical distance between friends and family may also cause an emotional distance, which may make students feel even more isolated. Heron describes her experience stating, “Coming to America has caused me to stop communicating with many of my friends, however, my family has been quite supportive.” While some students may experience growth away from loved ones in Jamaica, others may develop different ways to maintain a strong connection with their loved ones in Jamaica. Morgan Salmon describes how she maintains relationships with family and friends stating, “For the most part, I still have a great relationship with majority of my friends and family. Because of the distance though, I connect way less with some of my longtime friends. I think we now have a better understanding of how being apart can impact our friendships so we always make yearly plans to meet up in order to keep the link.” Jamaican students at CAU also have to deal with many Americans who don’t know about Jamaican culture, food, and people. This places students in environments where they are constantly having to explain themselves and their culture to others which can be exhausting. Salmon explains her experience stating, “I wish I knew that Americans were very ignorant to cultures that exist outside of their bubble, it would save me a lot of over-explaining and teaching.” Heron also advises other Jamaican students saying, “If you’re leaving Jamaica to come to CAU expect a culture shock and ignorant people.” Jade Davis, an American CAU student, gives her perspective on Jamaican students at CAU stating, “I think the struggles Jamaican students face in the U.S. are very difficult but through all adversities, they still overcome each barrier. I have also learned so much more about Jamaican culture from observing how my friends interact with each other, other Jamaicans and their families.” Despite the struggles that they have faced Jamaican students at CAU continue to prosper and push themselves. Croll leaves encouraging words for incoming students stating, “One advice I’d give to Jamaicans coming to a university in the United States, specifically CAU is to be your authentic self. Don’t be afraid to showthe world who you are, be proud of where you’re from, be proud of your accent and just reach for your goals.” Salmon also shared her advice to incoming Jamaicans saying, “Being honest, I would not recommend CAU for international students because our population is very small and I believe we are often overlooked by administration and our needs are not fulfilled. If you’re coming to the U.S. be open to new experiences and a new culture. Step out of your comfort zone and never hide who you truly are. Make as many connections as you can with anyone who has roots similar to yours and remember the world is your oyster.” Like these Jamaican students you may face some of these struggles at CAU, however it is crucial that you continue to actively pursue your goals and maintain your integrity as these students are doing.

How Students Get Access to Authentic Jamaican Food By Shannay Porter Caribbean Delight Jamaican Store As an international student from Jamaica, Morgan Salmon makes sure her suitcase is fully stocked with all her favorite Jamaican foods before leaving the island. From bun and cheese to beef patties and powdered seasoning, Salmon ensures that a piece of her home is taken with her each time she leaves the island. Jamaican students at CAU have varying experiences with accessing authentic Jamaican foods during their time abroad, with some students preferring to bring all their food from home and others only bringing essentials and searching for Jamaican food in the U.S. Jamaican cuisine is known around the world for its unique taste and mix of flavors. From fried fish and bammy to rice and peas with oxtail, Jamaican food is enjoyed by people all around the world. According to the website, About Jamaica, Jamaican food is reflective of the rich history of the country, which began with the island’s first inhabitants, the Tainos. Today, Jamaican food has a plethora of influences, including African, Spanish, British, Asian, and Rastafarian influences. Some traditional Jamaican food includes dishes such as the country’s national dish, ackee and saltfish, jerk pork, curried goat, and patty and cocoa bread. Salmon explains that though she does take most food products from the island with her, she can find a few products such as jerk seasoning and corned beef in U.S. stores such as Walmart. Like Salmon, many Jamaicans living in America prepare and consume Jamaican food; however, many stand by the belief that Jamaican food doesn’t truly taste as good or as authentic when not prepared in their island home. Britannia Croll, a CAU freshman, explained that her experience with accessing authentic Jamaican food is very complicated. She also believes that Jamaican food in the U.S. is very rarely authentic because the methods of preparing certain meals are different and the availability of certain ingredients is often limited or not available at all. “Thus far, I haven’t found a good authentic Jamaican restaurant, however, I found this one specific place in Atlanta, Caribbean Delight. I tried their Jamaican beef patties, and I was very surprised that they tasted very similar to those in Jamaica,” Croll stated about the Jamaican restaurant she found. Salmon also discussed her experience with finding Jamaican restaurants in Atlanta, stating that she has not found a restaurant that she is in love with yet, but she has tried Jimmas Jamaican Restaurant, which is the closest she has come to authentic Jamaican curried goat in the United States. Unlike Croll and Salmon, CAU student Lionae Heron had a different experience with finding a Jamaican restaurant that she liked, as she stated that, “Finding authentic food in the U.S. has been quite hard because the seasoning and certain natural vegetables we use, they don’t have access to, so it doesn’t taste like back home.” Though authentic Jamaican restaurants and grocery stores are not easy to find, they do exist. One such example is Caribbean Delight. It is a small restaurant in the West End, which is a short walk from the CAU campus and is located along the route of the AUC shuttle. This small restaurant specializes in traditional Jamaican foods such as patties, coco bread, curry chicken, and goat as well as drinks such as sorrel and Tropical Rhythm. Another place to get Jamaican food is a Caribbean grocery store called Georgetown Food Market. This grocery store is located in Decatur, Georgia, and is small but holds many food and everyday products from all over the Caribbean. Georgetown Food Market is also very affordable, and Jamaican students can find products such as the well-loved Maggie All-purpose seasoning, water crackers, Milo, coconut milk, Lasco, salt-fish, and many other Jamaican foods. Croll comments on her experience at Georgetown Food Market stating, “Georgetown Food Market was very nostalgic for me. I was happy to see authentic Jamaican food I grew up with as well as snacks...I’ve been searching for saltfish since moving to college; however, when I went to Georgetown Food Market, I found it, and I was overly excited.” For students who don’t want to travel to purchase food from Georgetown Food Market, the option to order from their website is available, however, the availability of products on the website is more limited. Other online options include Caribshopper.com and 876snackbox.com . At Caribshopper.com , students can purchase Jamaican snacks, pastries, patties, and drinks as well as body care products, home decor, and clothing, while at 876snackbox.com , students can purchase Jamaican snacks. Now being well-traveled, Salmon has adapted very well to America, and she has grown to understand that good access to Jamaican food in America is dependent upon the area and population of Jamaicans in the area. Food is an important part of every culture and for Jamaicans food and music are two of the most respected aspects of Jamaican culture, therefore, it is important that even abroad Jamaicans have access to their culture through food.

By Shannay Porter Black features have faced constant attack and discrimination throughout decades in comparison to other racial groups. Like many problems within the African diaspora featurism in Jamaica is the product of British enslavement and oppression. It continues to poison the mindset of citizens and divide communities in Jamaica. Featurism is present in educational institutions, families, friends, and especially beauty pageants. A majority of winners for pageants such as Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe have had racially ambiguous features or have been lighter skinned. Though ambitious and talented, many of these winners don't accurately represent Jamaica's racial population. They also prove that a large gap in accurate representation needs to be filled. Shaneen Shirley, who was born and raised in Jamaica explains her encounters with featurism stating, "It has affected me because I thought ‘Oh, my nose was [too] big or my body was [too] big.’ Certain features that I had as a black person were just not acceptable, and it allowed me to feel like I should be different. I should be different in the way that I need to change myself. But I cannot afford plastic surgery, and I shouldn’t have to be thinking about the idea of plastic surgery or anything like that because God made us in the image of him. So each person is beautiful in their own way, and we shouldn’t be so focused on our physical features." In Jamaica, featurism expresses itself in insults, comparing facial features such as noses to that of animals. Common Black features such as full lips, wide noses, and narrow jaws are constantly ridiculed while Eurocentric features such as smaller lips and straighter noses are often the standard. However, recently there has been a slight shift. The desire is now for fuller lips, wider hips, and fuller buttocks while some Eurocentric features such as a straight now and lighter skin remain the standard. By Shaneen Shirley Shaneen Shirley Shirley observed this shift stating, "It's very ironic in a sense because...we’ve been fighting so hard to look like them, and now they’re fighting so hard to look like us, which really at the end of the day, each person is beautiful in their own way." The mental health and well-being of many young impressionable Jamaicans also suffer at the hands of featurism as it affects their view of themselves and causes insecurity."It does affect self-perception because we think that we are not beautiful in the eyes of people, but they’re not the ones we should be focusing on because then we try so hard to try and change ourselves." the St. Elizabeth native added. The 21-year-old advised that while it is normal to admire certain facial features, they should never become an individual's standard of beauty. Every human is made differently and everyone deserves a chance to truly love themselves.

By Shannay Porter Shaneen Shirley is learning how to love and take care of her hair after years of being told that it is unkempt. “Honestly, growing up I always wanted my hair to look like others around me, who have processed their hair because it looked so nice and neat, and it was easier to handle. They could easily catch it up, and put it in different styles while my hair was taking a longer time to comb…It was tempting. It was easier to handle, everyone was doing it, so why not fit in with the crowd,” Shirley stated. Although Jamaica’s population is primarily of African descent, Jamaican people continue to face discrimination directly linked to our history of slavery and colonialism. During both eras, Black Jamaicans were taught to hate themselves and embrace European standards of beauty. In modern Jamaican society, remnants of this self-hate are still present as individuals with kinkier hair textures are treated less than those without. Shirley reflected on her experience wearing her natural hair to school stating, “When it's not up to par or well groomed, they’ll say like its dry, it needs moisture...it’s picky." She continued to explain that certain hairstyles were not socially accepted because of her type 4 hair. Shirley attended the all-girls high school, Hampton School and she witnessed other students be able to wear their hair in styles that she couldn't because they had looser curls or 'pretty hair.' These encounters hurt her as she began to feel less confident in her natural hair and did not want to wear it out."I always found processed hair to be nicer, easier to handle….my hair was just thick, a lot to handle, and every minute I had to be doing something to it," she expressed. As a high school student, Shirley observed that the standard for hair in Jamaica was processed hair and she felt pressured to comply. In the process of doing so, she began to straighten her hair with a flat-iron which led to it becoming severely damaged. The damage had to be cut off and Shirley had learned a significant lesson. She added,"[It] made me realize that it wasn’t all that worth it, I just had to learn to take care of my own natural hair in its original texture." By Shaneen Shirley Shaneen Shirley A major factor in learning how to love her natural hair was unlearning the biases she was taught. “I always thought that processed hair was easier to manage, and you don’t have to give it so much attention or care, but that’s a lie. It takes more work to take care of processed hair than your natural hair, and I was definitely biased to that. And not a lot of persons say that like this is the main thing, 'Oh it's easier, it's better.' But it's definitely not. It takes more work, especially having to go to the salon...You have to go like every 3 weeks…and that’s costly,” she explained. Like Shirley, many Jamaican women and girls adopted similar biases. This led them to chemically straighten their hair out of insecurity without considering the health risks associated with relaxers. The American Cancer Society published a study in October 2022 that found that women who used relaxers were 2 1/2 times more likely to suffer from uterine cancer. Currently, using relaxers in Jamaica remains almost a rite of passage. "I feel like, also, the pressure is there as well when it comes to our parents or adults because they’re passing down these expectations on having your hair processed, especially if their hair is processed they’re like, ‘Okay, get it done as well because it's easier, it's better, it looks better,’" she stated. Shirley concluded that it is this pressure that has led to the current lack of appreciation for all types of Black hair in Jamaica. "If you look at majority of Jamaica’s population, if we’re not trying to straighten our hair, or chemically process it, we are trying to wear wigs. We’re not trying to wear our natural hair…Even in the wearing of wigs, nobody nah try fi wear natural or textured wigs, they're trying to wear wigs that are straight," she added. By Shaneen Shirley Shaneen Shirley The 21-year-old also expressed, "[Now] I don’t like straightening my hair and I'm not interested in processing my hair. I've found styles that work for me and my hair confidence. Honestly, I really love my natural hair now, especially after discovering styles that work for me, and after learning how to take care of it, it was easier. And it has improved my self-worth because I find myself unique with my natural hair. I'm not a part of the whole processed hair group and I'm okay with that."

By Shannay Porter Isahai Johnson is reclaiming her power and embracing her skin’s richness after years of facing colorism. “I found religion. Attributed to that, I [found] that the traumas that once were a stronghold weren’t so great. It caused me to actually recognize my own beauty and [appreciate] the way I looked,” Johnson stated. The 22-year-old Jamaican first went viral on TikTok in May 2022 after posting about her journey with feeling like the ugly Black girl. “I grew up thinking I was ugly, and I started idolizing what we realized as the standard of beauty. I would tone [and] toning turned to bleaching, but I guess my melanin was so strong that it really was to no avail. I didn’t know what I was aiming for, I just knew I never got there,” she explained. Her post garnered 5.3 million views with 1.2 million likes and 12,500 comments. Johnson received support from viewers all over the world who assured her of her beauty and others who could relate to her experience. In September 2022 she posted another TikTok about bleaching her skin when she was younger and that post received over 12,000 views and over 2,000 likes. The St. Elizabeth native also added that her experience with being ridiculed at Hampton School, an all-girls high school in Malvern, St. Elizabeth, fueled her desire to bleach her skin. She stated, “It led me to feeling I was the problem, that if I didn’t have this skin my life would be easier.” Johnson’s mother had lupus and would use brands such as Nadinola and Idole to fix her uneven skin tone caused by her medication. She emphasized that her mother never failed to remind her of her beauty, however, Johnson could not resist temptation. “Little by little I would steal a bit here and there, and place it on my skin. I did see results [but] none that anyone else would notice though cause it never stopped – the remarks and microaggressions,” she explained “When that didn’t work I developed imposter syndrome. I was the class clown. I feigned confidence in an attempt to cover my unjustified insecurities.” The dark-skinned beauty explained that her immigration to Canada was the catalyst for change that she needed. “Honestly speaking, it took me leaving Jamaica to recognize my beauty. I’d have people outside of my race stop me, and tell me I was beautiful, that my skin was beautiful. And then the people of Afro descent here, females would stop me as well and call me beautiful. To Afro men, however, again I was undesirable,” she expressed. By Isahai Johnson Isahai Johnson in Jamaica The women Johnson encountered helped her to feel empowered in her skin and while the men were still colorist, Johnson emphasized that the most important thing was self-acceptance. “In order for the world to accept [who] you are, you have to accept yourself. Beauty is subjective, and anyone can be the standard,” she added. The TikToker also mentioned that colorism is deeply ingrained within Jamaican society stating, “It affects opportunities, advancement in school and in the workplace. I find that if people started loving themselves, and practiced self-awareness a lot of the issues can be resolved. Rather than seeing me as my skin color, see me as me. And stop attributing darker skin to such negative stigmas. We are not dirty [neither] are we uneducated.” Johnson also gave some advice to those struggling with self-worth or self-love because of colorism. “The world is large, bigger than our tiny island. And if you look like me, you’re the standard somewhere. There’s a whole continent full of people to identify with and embrace,” she expressed.

By Shannay Porter Brianna Brown is condemning featurism as she practices self-love and rises above societal beauty standards. She acknowledges that while Jamaica is multicultural, there is a preference for particular features. Individuals who lack these preferential features are often ridiculed or discriminated against, and this unjust treatment has been normalized in the Jamaican society. “ What I’ve had to face and the [fact] that it’s something we face so constantly [and] it’s so ingrained into our society that it’s like a norm, I think it’s cause me to have a deeper appreciation for my features, and just take in more time to really see the beauty in [my] features and seeing that [they] are just as desirable, and attractive as other features,” she explained. The 23-year-old expressed that while featurism is a heavy issue in Jamaica it is rarely discussed because many people don’t know what it is. She also shared her history stating, “I’ve personally had experiences with featurism both from family members, from friends or peers, classmates…and it affected my self-esteem. It didn’t make me feel good about myself. I felt low, I felt ugly, I felt like I wasn’t good enough…My nose is big, and I’ve had people make fun of my nose. I’ve had people make fun of my lips cause they’re bigger.” By Brianna Brown Brianna Brown Brown also acknowledged that she had begun to unconsciously practice featurism stating, “I started to repeat the cycle of wanting to judge people based on features that they possessed. [I placed] them into different categories [and made] assumptions about them, but I quickly had to learn to not do that, and to really just take people for what they are.” The young Jamaican continued to add, “Beauty is not about what’s physically present, in all honesty. Sure, you know, people can be attractive but beauty is really about personality and mindset to me, so I really had to tap into that…and not just side with what society says, and form my own thoughts and opinions about things.” Brown believes that representation and education are two ways to combat featurism. She emphasized that the Jamaican media should make more of conscious effort to give darker skinned people with Afrocentric features, and kinkier hair an equal platform. “I think education is important and especially because we spend so much time in school, I think it’s really important from a young age to learn about our features, and how we’re all alike and yet different." "Just teaching more children how to love themselves and to appreciate themselves…having that basically ingrained into the education [system] so that children really understand from a young age, their worth and how beautiful they are. And also, to stop bullying and stop using these features as fuel or the butts for jokes or insults because that’s really just continuing the cycle of featurism,” Brown emphasized.