After a year of soul-searching I’ve decided to make a major “pivot,” as we say nowadays. I’ve begun the move to marry my long-distance partner, and so borders are truly blurring as I begin this shift in societies; from Kingston, Jamaica to Salento, Italy. While I have moved, my desire to see my countrymen better able to participate globally, and benefit from our culture, remains an inalienable part of me. I categorically reject that a culture so rich should have a society so poor, so, logically, I’ve also decided to continue pursuit of that desire from my global platform by becoming a social media superhero!
After my recent travels through London and this first week in Italy, I have discovered (much like Columbus) that CONFUSION is now a universal nemesis. Pair this reality with the fact that there is a growing distrust of mainstream media, and it becomes obvious that more people have turned to social media to seek better sources of trustworthy information, support and solutions.
Were it not for the #LoveIsNotTourism social media movement, my trip from Jamaica to Italy would not have been just frustrating, it would have been impossible. And causing real-world changes to discriminatory policies is an outstanding achievement. Even more so if it’s clearly communicated to those impacted. Consultants, gurus, analysts and vloggers are galvanising movements and curating global communities online as we are becoming the heroes we seek.
Level UP Jamaica is the name of my movement, and before getting started I’ve analysed the scene and have to commend these two who have taken drastically different, but equally effective, approaches to shifting Jamaican society via their online presence:
Sir P via Politricks Watch:
Jamaica has no shortage of keyboard ninjas and veranda warriors, but Sir P is on a whole other level. The Politricks Watch YouTube channel hit the scene in 2019 and has been steadily gaining attention as its vocoded host, Sir P, delivers a steady stream of videos designed to “highlight and expose a lot of the lies we are fed as a society.” His videos explain criminal underpinnings in society and explore historic and current instances of corruption. For his efforts, the vlogger recently disclosed to viewers that he had migrated from Jamaica due to concerns for his safety. And while the truth of his views can’t always be verified, in Jamaica we believe: “what don’t go so, nearly go so.” His subscribers are flocking to Patreon to support his efforts.
Neko Kelly aka Bootleg Rocstar:
Where Sir P serves the soup anonymously, Bootleg Rocstar is creating waves by celebrating his sense of style and self. Sir P is gritty, Neko is pretty and proud! In a country saddled with a homophobic history, he is showing that things really can and have changed with time. Tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ lifestyles is on the rise in Jamaica and that’s in large part due to people like this in-demand stylist who serves spreads of himself dressed in tribute to Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, and posts declaring his desire for a sugar daddy and clear skin, alongside his work styling major entertainment players from Yendi to Beenie Man. Little surprise then that Teen Vogue selected his cover challenge collection as one of its favourites. He is irreverent, independent and providing inspiration to many in a difficult time.
Two different ways, same great change. I’m excited, inspired and ready to #LevelUPJamaica.