Writes and Kulcha

13/04/2026

Memes are fun, hilarious and grounded in cultural context. These five brilliantly carry meaning way beyond a joke. Add them to your arsenal and tell a friend!

12/04/2026

Writes and Kulcha Remembers

April 12, 1963.
The Coral Gardens Massacre—Bad Friday.

A land dispute turned deadly.
3 Rastafari men, 2 policemen and 3 civilians killed.

In that climate, the directive from then Prime Minister, Alexander Bustamante, rang out: “Bring in all Rastas, dead or alive.”

Over 150 Rastafari people were hunted, tortured, detained, and imprisoned. Their locs forcibly cut off.
Many fled and hid in nearby communities, including St Elizabeth, to escape torture and death.

Today, Sunday, April 12, 2026 is Road March Day in Kingston. Carnival in Jamaica fills the streets with big vibes and bright colours.

Woman and rum, wining non-stop… Freedom to chip down de road and bask in our joy, with or without locs.

Carnival, too, carries roots of resistance.

Same date. Same island. Different realities. Writes and Kulcha Remembers this day in history, even as we celebrate.

Read the full story at writesandkulcha.com

14/03/2026

In case you missed it: As debate continues over Jamaica’s proposed national football jersey, a deeper question emerges. What happens when the global power of and symbolism intersects with the sovereign symbols of the Jamaican state?

In this column, Coleen Douglas () reflects on the cultural tension between Brand Reggae and Brand Jamaica, exploring how music, identity, and national representation shape the way the country presents itself to the world.

Read the full piece now on Writes and Kulcha.

05/03/2026

The gentlemen showed up sharppp at … Think locs, linen. elevated casuals, statement denim and quiet confidence.

Here’s a roll call from the festival grounds featuring the men who understood the assignment.

Tag a man who styled like he meant it!

Photos by .camera.guyy, creative direction for Writes and Kulcha.

03/03/2026

From the fire-lit presence of Lila Iké to Yeza’s major entry and cosmic shine and Damian Marley’s raised fist cutting through the night, night 1 was one for the books!

Photos by Dandre McKenzie (.camera.guyy) for Writes and Kulcha.

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Save this for memory.
Share if you felt it. Lots more to come!

26/02/2026

🕊️We received the news two hours ago and are still sitting with the loss of Tommy Ricketts, founding member and former president of the Jamaica Poetry Society.

Dub poet. Mentor. Guide to many. Flame-fanner of Jamaica’s spoken word movement for decades.

A devoted advocate for writers and a lover of culture and language, he lived fully as a multidisciplinary artist—working across poetry, acting, producing, singing, directing, voice work, and visual art. His towering stature and long locs made him instantly recognisable, yet he carried himself with quiet humility. You could never miss him, even when he tried to stand softly in the room.

Jamaica has lost a true Kulcha Keeper and bearer of creative legacy. His contributions to the nation live on through the voices, stages, and communities he helped shape.

We extend heartfelt condolences to the Jamaica Poetry Society, his family, friends, collaborators, and all who loved him.

Walk good, elder. Your words remain.

22/02/2026

🍲A trip down memory lane with Saturday rituals in . What aromas filled your childhood home? 🤤😋

10/02/2026

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, communities across Jamaica mobilised in many ways to support relief and recovery. Kulcha columnist Coleen Douglas reflects on the Rastafari ‘Relief, Rebuild & Rise’ Webathon, asking hard questions about symbolism, strategy, and accountability in disaster fundraising.
Read, reflect, and join the conversation.

10/02/2026

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, communities across Jamaica mobilised in many ways to support relief and recovery. Kulcha columnist Coleen Douglas reflects on the Rastafari ‘Relief, Rebuild & Rise’ Webathon, asking hard questions about symbolism, strategy, and accountability in disaster fundraising.
Read, reflect, and join the conversation.

📷 Our Town Local

09/11/2025

As schools across Jamaica begin reopening after Hurricane Melissa, questions remain about how best to balance recovery with readiness. In this new column, culture and communications strategist Coleen Douglas explores the realities facing students, teachers, and parents — and outlines practical steps for restoring stability in education.

Education After Melissa: A Step Toward Recovery. Read the full story on Writes and Kulcha

After Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, one of the hardest-hit sectors is education. Culture and communications strategist Coleen Douglas shares ideas for seamless reintegration into schools.

08/11/2025

After Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Jamaica’s government has announced a series of “I Love Jamaica” hurricane relief concerts starting November 14. Our Kulcha columnist and communications lecturer Coleen Douglas isn’t convinced this is the right move — and she’s not alone.

In her open letter to the Minister of Culture, she questions whether concerts are the most effective form of relief when so many are still reeling, rebuilding, and recovering.

Are these concerts forward-thinking or tone-deaf in the current moment? Read the full piece on Writes and Kulcha and share your thoughts:

After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s culture ministry launched an ‘I Love Jamaica’ relief concert series. But is it the right response for a nation still reeling?

05/11/2025

, we’re grieving together — but we can rise together too. took lives, homes, heritage — everything familiar, but she also revealed what we already knew: we’ve been building without resilience, and the cost is unbearable.

I’ve shared my thoughts in an Op Ed piece called "After Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica at the Crossroads of Climate Reality" on Writes and Kulcha, and I’d appreciate a read and share.

I’ve also launched a relief drive for families in Northeast St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Drop-offs at Skin By Trace (11 Ardenne Rd, Kingston) or you can DM to help. It's a long road to recovery, but we can do it

https://writesandkulcha.com/2025/11/05/hurricane-melissa-jamaica-climate-reality/

After Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica, Journalist Tameka A. Coley reflects on grief, accountability, and equitable rebuilding.