The whole world is buzzing about the fact Jamaica recently added to its repute of being a game-changer when in a single week as contestants in two beauty pageants created worldwide controversy on social media first for its fashion statement that might have contributed to a universal loss and later copping the winning title in another contest to be crowned queen of the world.
Initially it was Facebook that revealed the topsy-turvy, back to back series of events which placed Lana Tickle Garcia the island’s 2019 Miss Universe Jamaica at odds with world wide web users when her designers posted what they perceived to be their winning creation.
Instead of applause they were rebuked with contention that a dress they toiled to perfect was inappropriate because of the negative theme explained to honor Jamaica’s history.
Reportedly, her Uzuri designers fired back saying the gown’s creation was based on a theme reflecting cultural heritage and historical facts about the White Witch of Rose Hall.
Apparently more than folklore, the tale of a rich, white, female plantation owner who wreaked havoc on the Black, male population during the slave time touched a nerve after the designers announced that the gown they created was actually a throwback theme they applied to give a nod to the history of the island.
Many nationals disagreed with the concept by posting reviling comments saying the idea was ill-conceived and would be best left in the past because its application conjured notions of voodoo, murder and suppression of Black men and does not bode well for the island.
In less than 24-hours afterwards the beautiful queen lost her luster and perhaps a tiara and scepter too because her popularity plummeted to the worst-ever placement for contestants from the island.
Ultimately Garcia lost the competition to Zozibini Tunzi Miss South Africa.
In winning, the African queen emerged the unprecedented fourth global Black royal to reign.
Her crowning marked the already history-making feat accomplished by Black women who for the time are reigning Miss USA, Miss America and Miss Teen USA.
Ironically, simultaneous to news of the negative, nostalgic reference out of the Caribbean wafted throughout the universe, good news dominated the world with the name of Jamaican Toni Ann Singh announced in London, England as the most beautiful girl in the Miss World pageant.
Immediately following the latter announcement social media erupted with viral posts about the victory.
“Toni-Ann has made the entire country so proud.” Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s minister of culture said. “We are all walking on air, especially the girls at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation location in St. Thomas — Toni-Ann is so passionate about her parish and women’s issues — and she has been working with us at the Ministry to make a difference in the lives of the young girls who attend the Centre. We look forward to her year as Miss World and continue to support her.”
For the fifth time Black was beautiful.
Jamaicans screamed their glee for the fact that for the fourth time the tiny island scored the top prize.
Jamrock’s successful placement in Miss World pageant history favored Carol Joan Crawford in 1963 Patsy Yuen who competed a reign after Marjorie Wallace won a decade later but was fired from the prestigious throne, Cindy Breakspeare in 1976 and Lisa Hanna in 1993.
“I am so happy for Toni-Ann. She is an outstanding young woman with a wonderful personality, a beautiful soul, and extraordinary talent. She represented Jamaica so well during this competition and now we all have an amazing new Miss World.
Toni-Ann is clearly the best choice crown.”
Not so long ago, Blacks were banned from even competing in major beauty pageants now it seems women of color are ruling the world and the universe.
The reigning Miss Earth is Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico and the current Miss International is Sireethorn Leearamwat from Thailand.
How’s that for diversity in 2020.
JAMAICA DISCLOSES BIG DIASPORAN REVEAL FOR REGGAE MONTH
Jamaica’s ministries of tourism, culture, youth, entertainment and sport will collaborate to showcase the best ever Reggae Month presentation next year in February.
“We are determined to produce a world-class and exciting package for Reggae Month 2020,” Grange explained.
In partnering the aim of the government agencies to jointly maximize the capacities of both agencies. “We want to invest more in Reggae Month and so the Ministry of Tourism along with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will put serious funding into Reggae Month from next year onwards.”
Reggae Month usually features a series of live entertainment activities across the island for the entire month of February.
However, for 2020, celebratory activities will also be held in the diaspora.
“We are partnering with Miramar in Florida,” Grange said.
Alexandra Davis, vice mayor of Miramar said the city was looking forward to including Reggae Month celebrations into the Black History Month commemorations.
Reportedly, the Florida state was well placed to lead Reggae Month celebrations in the Jamaican Diaspora as several reggae icons reside there. The southern city is also home to nationals who migrated there and have since established ties due to the fact it is “where all five of the elected officials that run the city are of Jamaican descent or were born in Jamaica.”
“We deliberately decided to launch before Christmas,” Grange added.
She said Reggae Month 2020 would be the “best ever.”
Since 2008, the month of February has been recognized annually in Jamaica as the designated period to honor the legacy of achievers who toil to perpetuate the genre.
Catch You On The Inside!
