Foreigners are often startled when they hear me talk. The unmistakable lilt brands me as Jamaican, but my appearance does not fit their racial profile.

"Where are you from?" is nearly always followed by, "You don't look Jamaican."

So what does a Jamaican look like?

True, most Jamaicans have dark brown complexions, a combination of a West African heritage and the island's sunny climate. And that brings us to one myth: people with dark skins tan, just like people with lighter pigmentation. You should see how much paler some of my friends became after living in Toronto for a while. 

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A significant portion of Jamaicans seem to have disdain for disciplined, dedicated and hardworking individuals.  Often times I’ve heard statements like, “Him a gwaan like a fi him place” or “a jus’ position him a look.”  What do these statements point to?  Is it a lack of ambition or motivation?  Is it the flawed reasoning of unintelligent minds?  Or is it some unfortunate result of growing up in Jamaica where jealousy and “bad mind” are so prevalent?

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Jamaica's debt, which now tops $1 trillion, is burdening the Jamaican taxpayer to a point where it seems each Jamaican will have two work two jobs if this country is to see any development.  Even with the UK's recent debt write off of £5 million, the situation is still dire.

But why does Jamaica owe that much money?  

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There have been countless articles highlighting men’s faults and shortcomings.  These articles make it seem like women are somehow enlightened and know the best way of doing everything. 

Well, we know that men aren’t perfect but if women would take the time to understand us, a lot of their ‘problems’ would cease to exist.  Sorry ladies, we love you to death but sometimes you drive us crazy with all your demands and criticisms. 

Often times in conversations with other men, I have come to realize that we all have the same issues with our women.  The whole issue of separating whites when we do the laundry keeps popping up.  This indicates to me that we are hardwired this way and any man who acts contrary to the norm is probably going to die an early death from the stresses of trying to please his woman. 

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