News comes out of Hackensack, North Jersey that 35 year old Jawara McIntosh, son of the late, Peter Tosh, reggae legend and founding member of the internationally known Wailers, of Bob Marley and the Wailers fame, will head to trial in September for charges against him and a companion, 24 year old Carlotta Z. Leslie for possession and intent to distribute 65 1/2 pounds of marijuana, found in the trunk of a rental car he was driving in on Route 17 in Mahwah over the Father's Day Weekend 2013.
According to reports, the youngest son of the reggae legend, known as Tosh 1, did not have a drivers's license and was driving with "open bottles of liquor on the front seat" of the rental when was pulled over. It is alleged that McIntosh was stopped for "recklessly cutting off another motorist on Route 17." McIntosh and Leslie pleaded not guilty and said, they have no knowledge that marijuana was in the vehicle. On May 18th, in Hackensack, the pair refused to accept a plea offer of 5 years in state prison from Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Keith Travers who offered them to plea guilty to first degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it. They would have to serve 12 months before being eligible for parole.
Championing support for McIntosh is a California/Colorado based non-profit group called Cannibas Patriots Unite (CPUnite.org). The group asserts that McIntosh was "arrested for driving while dreadlocked." They also posit that the herb that he "allegedly" had in his possession is considered to be medicinal in "dozens of states."
Cannibas Patriots Unite believes that, "It [marijuana]belongs into the hands of the people, for it provides treatment at a fraction of the cost of currently sanctioned by healthcare." It is ironic that Peter Tosh was among the first to champion the cause to legalize marijuana in his song, "Legalize It" which has become an anthem for those wanting to see the decriminalization of marijuana. A picture of McIntosh in court wearing a green hoodie with the words LEGALIZE IT emblazoned on the front above a large image of a marijuana plant. McIntosh is also charged with "two counts of driving under the influence of drugs, driving with a suspended license, improper passing and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle."
Many are still talking about the very disappointed elderly white passenger, who startled passengers and staff at Charlotte International Airport last Wednesday, May 20th, when, he got completely undressed at the gate, after he learned that his flight to Jamaica was overbooked. Apparently he was overcome with disappointment. "I can understand his frustration," says Michael Jones, of Queens, New York "but to get all undressed, is just a little much." Jokes and Memes of all types have been posted on Social Media based on reportage by Sherry Ketchie of WBTV who shared a picture of the naked passenger being led away by security. "He had his clothes on, at that point, and then he started standing there with his arms crossed and hollering at the lady at the desk,” Ketchie reported. “He stood there for a moment and then started taking off his clothes. I ain’t never seen nothing like that in my life” she said. Reports from authorities are that the passenger will not be charged.
Kudos to Toronto's own roots reggae sensation Tasha T in her capacity as Musical Ambassador for the twelve year old, Read Across Jamaica Foundation, headed by CEO, Ja'Nice Wisdom. After traveling to Jamaica for Education Week, Tasha T, helped Ja'Nice sort through school supplies and books for the children. Tasha T then set out to visit some of the schools on the first leg of Educational Week which started on May 4th. Since their start in 2003, Read Across Jamaica Foundation has served more than 25,000 students and have donated more than 50,000 books and school supplies to students across the island. As part of the bus tour, Tasha T, visited schools like Portsmouth Primary School in Portmore and also the Mustard Seed facility in Kingston. During her visit, Tasha T read for the children who delighted in her reading but especially the loved gifts that she brought for them. "The students were great and we had lots of fun," said Tasha T in speaking about the success of the tour.
There is excitement about a ground breaking exhibition titled The Rise of Sneaker Culture coming to the Brooklyn Museum from July 10 through October 4, 2015 that will feature approximately 150 pairs of sneakers on exhibition. The exhibition makes it debut in Brooklyn before traveling to three other museums and originated at the Bata Show Museum in Toronto. The touring exhibition is being organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Show Museum. The exhibition explores the evolution of the sneaker from the late 19th century to the present where sneakers have gone from humble beginnings to it's current role as status symbol and urban icon. Included in the exhibition are works from the archives of NIKE, Puma and Reebok as well as private collectors such as hip hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, sneaker guru Bobbito Garcia and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. Excerpts from the documentary Just for Kicks which covers sneaker culture from the 1970's to 2004 will be screened within the exhibition.
