Monday, July 23 - Streetlights may not have much significance in this rat-race prone society, home of everything blinging and exuberant, least of which is Times Square. But in the close-knit fishing village of Alligator Pond where I was raised, streetlights had a very different connotation. Streetlights were strategically placed in different nooks and crannies of the neighborhood to give just enough light to an area to negate it being completely consumed by the darkness.

With no space designed to accommodate socializing, the areas directly under streetlights were transformed into places where we would escape from the norm of everyday life. They were an escape from Principal Samuda’s belt, from the rigors of the fishing net, from the hot sun out in the tomato garden, and from the penetrating heat of those galvanized zinc-roof heat magnets. They became a place to congregate and converse about the best gossip in the community, to play a round of dominoes, to beat the hottest reggae tracks on the street and crown the baddest dancer in the area. All this while hands were busy fighting the familiar stings of mosquito bites and deflecting determined [food] flies so as not to make a feast of these menacing insects. Within an earshot of the natural acoustics of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, crocking bullfrogs and when in season land crabs, this is where we pushed our heads back and exhaled. Streetlights attracted us because they were the only lit common areas where we could comfortably congregate and not feel overwhelmed by the limitations and uncertainty of darkness.

This relationship between streetlights and the residents played a vital role in the social fabric of the community. Each segment of the district would have a different social network associated with that area’s streetlight. At sunset each evening there was a different scene under each streetlight. Top Bay’s streetlight scene would be very different from the scenes of Settlement and Bottom Bay and vice versa. This dynamic created the perfect breeding ground for competition between the different streetlight crews. What resulted were Sunday evenings of dominoes tournaments, DJ clashes, dance and other sports competitions. The healthy rivalry that ensued cemented streetlights’ importance in our small fishing town and many other such towns across the island.

This was also a place where we exchanged ideas and philosophies. Jamaicans are a people rich in thought and in no way lack drama in the way those thoughts are communicated. Bobo Dread and the other Rastas, with Turbans craftily adorned to shield their crowns from the curious touches of unbelievers, were constantly engaged in heated exchanges with the local Pastor, Brother Head and members of his congregation about their views on religion. These discussions were the most comical because Bobo was always ready “fe bun ah fiyah fe” Brother Head and this resulted in all kinds of admonitions from the pastor about hell’s brim stones and fire. But the most bomboclaats I’ve ever heard in a discussion by far were those associated with talks on politics. Members of the Peoples National Party and the Jamaican Labor Party were always at odds about which party is the cause of the ills of the country. Maaas P, a JLP devotee, would challenge anyone on such issues. He was also jeered constantly because one year he claimed that he would be getting a car from the party after the election, but months passed and he had not gotten a bicycle, much less a car. Because of this, up to this day, he is ridiculed. When people congregate, ideas are exchanged. This natural flow of thought should result in a learning experience and that in itself is empowering. We thus left the streetlights often feeling a new sense of self, having connected with ourselves and others on a deeper level.

Now that I look back and reflect on those streetlight scenes, I can identify and appreciate the lessons learnt. We were immersed in lessons of pride, justice, self-awareness, self-sufficiency and most impacting the importance of balance in the universe. Thus the idea for this editorial was born. Streetlight, once for me a place in Jamaica to escape the predictable happenings of the day will now be a place for me to employ the pen to communicate my ideas and experiences with you. This Streetlight holds similar significance in that it will be a place where we can all retreat to, to escape from the usual and predictable. I implore you to become apart of my Streetlight crew. I pledge that only positive vibes will flow under this Streetlight.

In Jamaica, my streetlight crew only admitted positive and forward thinking people. Everyone has a streetlight crew. I ask that you examine your streetlight crew and make sure yours is a positive one. Do not surround yourself with individuals who are not cognizant of the fruits of being positive and giving. These people lack self-awareness, self-love and a true understanding of their relationship with the universe. There are endless rewards for fair and decent people in this world. It eludes me why one would choose to operate unfairly and unjustly. Everything in this universe is balanced&Omega do not underestimate Karma&Omega it is one of the SURE things in this world&Omega I repeat KARMA IS SURE. To try to prove otherwise is the mark of a foolish and simple mind.

I want us all to acknowledge the streetlight within and put that self- actualization to good by sharing your light with the world (sounds corny but holds much force). We share by giving, teaching, understanding another’s struggle, learning about an issue before passing uninformed judgment and choosing a smile over contempt. Grasp that this is life and be passionate about it. When you become passionate about your life, it is easier to understand your purpose. With purpose comes understanding, and with understanding comes determination. When this is achieved, we can have a better understanding of our relationship with ourselves and with others. I ask that you remember that we are among the living. So often we forget that we are alive. Life is like an orange, you get as much life as you are able or willing to squeeze from it. On the surface we are breathing, so we know we are not dead, but we do not fully appreciate that we are indeed ALIVE. The significance of the clean slate, thus endless potential, that we are born with is at times lost on some of us. I notice some people walk around in a constant daze, a state of not appreciating that this is life and no one is granted a do-over. So monthly with these pieces I hope that a place will be born where you can come and feel rejuvenated and be reminded that life is a GIFT. I aspire to inform, enlighten and inspire. So take this journey with me under this Streetlight and I hope that the light that so shines here will keep attracting you back for more positive vibes.

Written By Simmonie Swaby

Photography: Mistah Shakes

Layout and Design: B.Diamondz and Mistah Shakes

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