Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Sadly, many Jamaicans now minimize the threat of the illness, and some have grown complacent about wearing them. Despite a government mandate to wear masks in public spaces, one maskless woman in Downtown Kingston told TVJ news “You know, we Jamaicans don’t really go by rules.” Now is not the time for such indiscipline.
Since YouTube, video has become part of our daily lives. Most of us watch, but only a few actually make them because there were barriers like expensive equipment and competition for viewers’ attention. Not anymore! TikTok has changed that. The Chinese video-sharing platform now has one billion users worldwide, and thousands of directors/producers. Thanks to its myriad of features, TikTok is helping the average person turn their innovative concepts into high-quality content.
Jamaica’s Supreme Court’s rule in favour of Kensington Primary for trying to bar a child with dreadlocks from attending the school met severe criticism. Like Minister Grange, perhaps we should all wait for the reasoning behind the ruling to be released before passing judgement on the courts. That this case went to court, however, raises an ongoing problem in Jamaican schools and organizations.
The social media giants are walking a thin line lately on content moderation. On one side, they face criticism from those who want hate speech removed and restrictions on the spread of false information on their platforms. On the other, they face charges of censorship. The pandemic has brought added pressure as the spread of misinformation, hate speech and human rights protests heightens and everything becomes partisan.
TikTok is showing us the well of creative talent that exists out there. Though typically producing short clips meant for little more than a moment of entertainment, the amateur creators of these videos are highly effective at capturing an audience.
TikTok’s setup no doubt helps in this regard by giving everyday social media users the tools to make their videos grab attention. But it’s safe to say that users take it to the next level with good choreography, singing, dancing, short-skit storytelling, video editing etc. Some on social media even believe these amateurs to be better than the professionals.