The suppression of Jamaican culture in Jamaica

by Matthew
The Bible has now been translated to Jamaican Patois.

The Bible has now been translated to Jamaican Patois.

The suppression of Jamaican culture in Jamaica.

As some readers of my wonderful blog might know. I have some roots to the Caribbean so I have strong views on what goes on there especially 🙂

One thing I’ve always been interested in is the amount of time it seems the government would rather suppress its own culture. I’m talking about Jamaican Obeah being illegal and Jamaican patois still not being recognised as an official language.

It seems as though Jamaica wants to feel British?! Lets take a look at Haiti. Right next door to Jamaica yet they have recognised voodoo as a religion and Haitian Creole as a language.

What gives Jamaica? You have a religion and a language that people practice and use in the country yet it’s not recognised and these aren’t new issues.

The Obeah man who promises to fix all your problems in life for a extortionate fee would most probably disappear if Obeah was legalised. He will be unable to rip people off! Well we can hope right? 🙂

I don’t know who makes these policies or what the Jamaican people think, however I can only think of good things if these two pieces of Jamaican culture were finally recognised.

Another issue is how some Jamaicans view Africa

A lot of Jamaicans with African Ancestry generally are not happy about being linked to the continent in any way! However European, Chinese and Indian Jamaicans are proud and for the most part seem to have maintained a little of their identity. I think this sort of thinking is doing damage to the whole island. It’s like Jamaicans are happy to throw away large parts of history and culture because the colonists said so a long time ago.

Maybe this is related to Jamaica’s political system? It is a two party state isn’t it? No real libertarian (or other view) brought into their politics 😉

What Jamaican Obeah is – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obeah

More freedom? Less freedom?

by Matthew
Freedom - Is the only way!

Freedom – Is the only way!

More freedom? Less freedom? What does the populace want and need?

Happy New Year! Hope everyone have a great one 🙂

Readers of this blog will know that I do like to mention the education system quite a bit in my posts. So, I’ll start with a familiar trend 😉

In the UK the education system is formal and rigid. However, The pupils are given more freedoms then in certain other countries. We have moved away (mostly) from the i’ll teach and you write (no opinion for the pupil) years. Moving on however, There are plans in place to introduce the army into schools to deal with poor behaviour. Is instilling what we call discipline militarily in schools the right way to go about things? Or is it just painting over cracks that lead to a much bigger issue? What are the children rebelling against? Bullying is at crisis levels in UK schools too.

Go into most state and even private schools and you will see shocking behaviour. This seems like outright rebellion of rigid rules to me.

Imagine a school with a progressive, democratic education with punishment delivered by pupils as well as teachers in the school community. You imagined this school. Look what talent it has produced.

Parents and our modern society put ridiculous pressure on children. From a young age many parents map their children’s path out! No wonder why some break out! Life is about the pursuit of happiness not at the expense of others. I know a lot of people are going to suggest that discipline only comes from strict rules being laid down. This is not the case. A needs guidance in a childs younger years and up to their teens they should be enjoying life. Enjoyment in life should continue through adulthood at work or wherever. If the sole pursuit of someones glory is a career thats guided by parents, or lines the pocket with wads of money in the hope of happiness you will not discovery true happiness.

One reason why schools fail so hard is what they produce. All they produce are factory made children ready to serve the state. If you have a child, What would you say if your child said he wanted to become a refuse collector?

This is just from a educational perspective. I feel more school choice is needed.

I don’t feel I’ve explained this as well as I wanted! I never feel I do 🙁

I’ll leave you with a few quotes….

“No one is wise enough or good enough to mould the character of any child. What is wrong with our sick, neurotic world is that we have been moulded, and an adult generation that has seen two great wars and seems about to launch a third should not be trusted to mould the character of a rat” — A.S. Neill

“I would rather Summerhill produced a happy street cleaner than a neurotic scholar.” — A.S. Neill

“The basis of a democratic state is liberty.” — Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC), Politics

Hope everyone has stuck to their resolutions! If any were made 🙂

Enjoy the rest of your January. Fun to all.

TMA 2 just needs submitting then Christmas is here :)

by Matthew
Christmas Bells

Hope your having a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 🙂

I’ve completed TMA 2. Found it a challenge. Had a extension. It’s been rushed but being checked for grammar now! I’m now just waiting for Christmas and to be honest I can’t wait. I really, really must give myself more time for TMA 3. And I should not stress about not having a girlfriend (no time for one) or just sit around and procrastinate, hahah!!

One more day left of work then its Christmas Day.

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Updated 26/12/2012: Has this saved but not published. Christmas Day has come and gone. Food all in my belly for another year! Can’t wait for things to get back to normal.

Start going to the gym again but I’m not too keen on getting down to study though. Submitted my essay on the 23rd, I was given a three day extension. Could have done better really. Next essay is getting started early. I know I said that about the last TMA, but I really need to!

Next book to read is all about Ethics (Book 3). The study planner says I should start on the 29th. Will try to start a little earlier 🙂

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas Day and hope you all have a happy New Year 🙂

Barely Breathing!

by Matthew
Book number 2 - The philosophy of religion

The Philosophy of Religion – Très difficile 🙁

Don’t worry though it’s just a cold I got (I don’t often have them) and its not that bad.

I’ve still been around. Just not got around to posting much. Enjoying Exploring Philosophy but finding the module a real drag. The first essay was probably the worst piece of work I have ever submitted and was under the word count. Still I’m looking ahead to improve on the second. The second book is the Philosophy of Religion. I’m struggling mostly with the concept of putting an ‘I’ in an essay and forming arguments in philosophy more then before.

This module is gonna be a real struggle. I knew it anyway. My brain just doesn’t function the way a philosophers would. Yet, I’ll try. I need this module. It compulsary 🙁

Had my tutorial at the London School of Economics again yesterday. I think more of these sessions are needed its the discussion factor I am lacking. I don’t get to talk to anyone about the arguments or philosophy which you do need. That’s my one criticism. Overall, I feel negative about the whole module today. I just wanna get it out the way and onto Politics and Economics.

Outside the degree a bit..

I’m going to begin saving for a new car soon (woop). Ages before I can get one though. There were plenty of things I wanted to say, however when I opened up to start writing I forgot everything. Ah well.

Btw, For those wondering what module and degree I’m doing and where etc. I am aiming to achieve a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. You can find out more about my current module here.

The blog is running on a new superduper betterer server 😉 😀 😛
All high speed and stuff. Much better.

Peace all. My twitter thing on the left no longer works. I’ll get it fixed soon but you can see my instagrams 🙂

TMA 7 of DD101 gone.. and some new updates!

by Matthew

Politics and Philosophy books

Well, I just hurriedly sent off my last assignment for DD101 my first open university module. Happy to get it out the way. Feels like I just sent a heap of junk in though!

I went to a Language taster evening at the open university’s centre in Camden on Wednesday. I actually surprised myself with how much French I actually remembered!! Anyway the real eye catcher was the lovely girl opposite me and we kept stealing glances. She spoke perfect French as her grandmother was French. Very attractive!

I’m now fully registered up for A222 and officially started my next module exploring philosophy. I’m holding off on doing two modules as I really don’t want to overload myself especially as philosophy requires a clear mind!

I love Camden town and there are always so many things going on and pretty ladies.
The atmosphere and vibe is amazing, when I’m not sprinting to uni! I need to spend more time there 😀

I plan on joining the gym on payday too and actually going. So lookout for a fitter mixedmatt! Also in the not to distant future I hope to get my feet back into a go-kart again… When I have the time and funds. Hope all my faithful readers are fine…

Love you all 🙂

Received materials for my next module

by Matthew

Philosophy Material for Module A222

Not posted in a while. Sorry 🙁

I received my materials last week for A222 Exploring Philosophy (pictured) and DD203 Power, etc which I did put on hold until I finish A222 but the materials still came anyway. I need to contact the uni about that.

I purchased a iPad mostly for studying the second module. It’s been a bit cumbersome with all these books so I’m hoping I can unlock the power of the iPad to help me.

On a side note. If any one has recommendations for good applications please can you suggest some to me? Also I have a problem with iTunes not converting any film at all. Is this how it always behaves its such a pain in the neck.

Anyway staying on course. I’m excited to started A222 but nervous about finishing DD101. I’m planning the last assignment and it’s a little tricky. It’s about legitimising the state and democracy.

It all seems real. I’m starting another level 2 module again for the first time in a long time and I can’t wait. The Open University has shown me what real university education should be like so far. Well we pay enough for it. Traditional universities are far too complacent I believe.

If anyone can give me some assistance with the iPad and how to convert files. From both torrents and other means please post below. Thank you 😉

A girlfriend? Hmm

by Matthew

A few things annoy me. Such as when my family ask if I have a girlfriend. Its not any of your business so why continually ask? I suppose its a way of striking up convo. So so irritating and I get asked a lot.

Another is my youngish looks. People think I’m younger then I actually am due to my baby face. Ah well. I need to just stop moaning I guess. Looking young and being single is a blessing 🙂

What a useless post…