This side in…

 Today in Jamaica:

I learned a valuable lesson:

Since arriving in Jamaica  i have fallen head first into a way of life that keeps me on my toes. The violence on the island is at an all time high, because of the PNP’s recent defeat after their (16 year stint of power) in the national elections to the newly appointed JLP. The JLP as i gather is a highly corrupted entity which  is known across the island for paying voters for their ssupport at the polls. It’s also widely known that the JLP has serious ties to many of the organized gangs in jamaica; which they enlist on occasion to kill the more affluent PNP supporters and members.

Yikes is right my friend.

Seemingly now, it’s not just the shady characters that are ending up in wood boxes, but the innocents as well. Anyone who happens to be at the wrong place and the wrong time. And the whole definition of wrong place + wrong time is getting more and more vague.

While cracking ackee under the giant breadfruit tree with Georgia, she told me about the growing trend of Skin Bleaching that is sweeping the island like Hurrican Ivan. Fortunately the epicentre is still confined to the islands capital, Kingston.  But nonetheless, it;s just down right creepy. It wasn’t until this past saturday I saw a bleacher ( as the locals call them) for my very own eyes. They are barely spotted during the day , but if you are lucky enough to spot one they are usually covered head to toe in long skirts, and long sleeve shirts and head scarves. Their somewhat hypotic eyes peering out for their muslim’esque, holding a indigant pride about the lengths they go for the sake of esthetics.

Upon speaking to one of the ladies, i realized to them, they are fully aware of the obvious health risks, and proudly state that they will continue to swallow/rub and infuse their bodies with these cancer-laden body-mods in order to achieve their desired look. To them, they would rather be white + dead than black + healthy.

Whereas i come to Jamaica to get as dark as possible, these women only come out in the dark.

I need to go back into Kingston before i leave to interview a lady properly. I want to ask questions like:

-So what’s it like being white anyways?  and,

-If and When you have kids, will you bleach them as well?

I want to see how far down the colonial rabbit hole these ladies are.

I took this in bed on my photobooth because i am obviously vain.