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✅ SPEECH 1: Quao Maroon Festival – Scott’s Hall Maroon Town Theme: Unity and Transparency for Cultural Empowerment and Development By Chief Fabian Stennett Furry Town Maroons – Tangle River, St. James (formerly Black River Road) Greetings and Honour Blessings to the people of Scott’s Hall—elders, youth, warriors, cultural guardians, and all those who carry the spirit of resistance and renewal. I bring greetings from the Furry Town Maroons of Tangle River , in St. James —a place once known as Black River Road , where the land remembers the footsteps of our ancestors, and where a new generation is rising with purpose. Though I am not able to stand here in person, I am here in spirit—and with deep respect for Captain Quao, whose courage and wisdom we honour today. Quao: A Leader of Vision and Accountability Captain Quao was not just a fighter. He was a builder, a strategist, and a leader who placed his people’s welfare first. He taught us that freedom is not only defended wit...

"Rise in Power: A Call to Collective Awakening" By Fabian Stennett In today’s world, where oppression still lingers and injustice runs deep, the phrase “Rise in Power” is more than a slogan — it’s a call to action, a spiritual affirmation, and a blueprint for transformation. Rooted in resilience and born from struggle, it speaks to the soul of a people who refuse to be broken. To rise in power is to take pain and shape it into purpose. It is the act of turning centuries of suffering into strength, of reclaiming dignity, identity, and future. It's about using the very stones thrown by Babylon — systems of inequality, racism, and exploitation — and building something higher, something rooted, something real. This rising isn’t just individual. It’s deeply collective . True liberation means no one gets left behind. It’s the youth awakening to their worth. It’s women standing in power, unshaken and unashamed. It’s communities feeding, healing, and educating themselves,...

  --- Southern St. James in Crisis: A Call to Action Decades of Neglect, A Community's Plea for Change By Fabian Stennett Artist & Cultural Anthropologist | Chief of Furry Town Maroons --- Introduction: The Crisis That Won’t Go Away In the southern belt of Jamaica’s St. James parish, beneath the shadows of lush mountains and rich cultural history, lies a truth that the nation has too long ignored: a community crying out for survival. For over four decades, Southern St. James has been mired in neglect—without consistent access to clean water, facing crumbling infrastructure, and burdened by failed political promises. It’s a quiet crisis, overlooked by the headlines, yet resounding in every household, every empty pipe, and every sick child. This is more than a story—it is a call to action. --- The Weight of Neglect: A Generational Burden Walk through the districts of Cambridge, Maroon Town, Bickersteth, and Welcome Hall, and you’ll hear the same refrain: “Wi cyaah get nuh watah.”...

    “We Have Lost It” by Fabian Stennett, Chief of Furry Town Maroons : We Have Lost It By Fabian Stennett, Chief of Furry Town Maroons Once, we were a people rooted in strength, pride, and culture. Our reggae music echoed across continents, carrying the heartbeat of a defiant, loving, and conscious people. Our moral compass, while never perfect, still pointed true. Our elders taught us respect, our teachers inspired us, and our leaders—though flawed—knew they were accountable to the people. But today, as I look across the hills of Furry Town and beyond, I am compelled to say this with a heavy heart: we have lost it. We have lost our culture . Reggae, our soul music, born from the pain and pride of resistance, has been hijacked by commercialism and diluted messages. Where once we heard songs of revolution, righteousness, and Rastafari teachings, we now hear noise devoid of substance—rhythms without roots. Many of today’s artists, influenced more by fleeting fame than le...

 *SOUTHERN ST. JAMES IN CRISIS: A CALL TO ACTION* *Cover Story* *Decades of Neglect, A Community's Plea for Change* By Fabian Stennett, Artist & Cultural Anthropologist *The Crisis Unfolds* For forty years, residents of Southern St. James have endured inadequate access to basic amenities, particularly clean water. Despite repeated promises, the local MP has failed to deliver, leaving the community frustrated and disillusioned. *The Human Cost* The lack of investment in infrastructure has resulted in water shortages, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare and education. Residents are forced to rely on makeshift solutions, further exacerbating the issue. *A Community's Voice* "This crisis is a canvas of contradictions – promises unkept, hopes deferred, and lives impacted." *Key Concerns:* - Lack of access to clean water - Poor sanitation and healthcare - Limited educational opportunities - Infrastructure neglect *The Time for Change is Now* The people of ...

 *Southern St. James in Crisis: A Call to Action* By Fabian Stennett, Artist & Cultural Anthropologist As an artist and cultural anthropologist, I've witnessed the resilience of communities in the face of adversity. However, the neglect of Southern St. James is a stark reminder of systemic failures. For forty years, residents have suffered without access to basic amenities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. This crisis is a canvas of contradictions – promises unkept, hopes deferred, and lives impacted. As a cultural reservator, I'm compelled to preserve the stories and struggles of this community. It's time for change. The people of Southern St. James deserve dignity, respect, and investment in their future. *Key Concerns:* - Clean water scarcity - Poor sanitation & healthcare - Limited educational opportunities - Infrastructure neglect Let's amplify the voices of Southern St. James and demand action. *Written by:* Fabian Stennett,  Reggae  Artist ...