Imagine a network of tunnels, deep and dark. We are lost in it for a long time, confused and disoriented and feeling our way around. Soon, we begin to see a bit of light at the end of a particularly long tunnel. (more…)
"I was on a quiet beach one evening, feeling very blessed and meditating underneath a tree. Eventually, I found myself in the zone that usually opened up simple and profound truths to me and I wanted to know the next step in my mission. This answer came to me: the most important question humanity should ask itself is WHY. because the WHY determines everything else. WHO we are, WHAT we are, WHERE we are, WHEN we are... all these things are determined by WHY we are. Even HOW we do what we do is influenced by WHY we want to do it.
Upon asking myself WHY it is that I do what I do, I realized that I was determined to put an end to anything opposed to natural, sustainable, loving Life. Representing the Universal Truth is my preferred lifestyle. This is why Duttyism exists."
With the recent release of his book, Tried & True: Revelations of a Rebellious Youth, plus his tendency to be involved, in tune or otherwise supportive of various manifestations of revolutionary progress, Dutty is becoming increasingly willing to speak in public settings. For a list of upcoming engagements, complete with dates, times and locations, check his calendar by clicking the link below.
Dutty's schedule of upcoming missions
In 18th century Jamaica, there was an African slave called Dutty Bookman (also Bookman Dutty). He was sold like a commodity to someone in French-colonized Ayiti, more commonly known as Haiti. There, the spelling of his name was Frenchified as "Boukman" but that is of little importance here. What is noteworthy is that he incited the bulk of the slave population to revolt against oppression and that act was the genesis of the Haitian Revolution. The rest is history and history is a part of the present. Two centuries later, a child was born in Jamaica and grew up with a decidedly and unmistakably revolutionary spirit. It is now felt that he might be the returned spirit of Dutty.
Duttyism is a repository for inadequate expressions of his soul.
I have said this before but I feel it is important for me to elaborate at this time. Art is illumination in dark times. At least two separate occasions in history have shown us the one undeniable fact: the flourishing of the arts is a critical ingredient in any society’s effort to evolve into a higher consciousness. (more…)
It is no secret that the United States of America is a nation well practiced in political (imperialist?) passive aggression, and that is when its leaders feel like they have something to lose. On the other hand, when they perceive no potential loss, we might as well say our parting words to “passive.” It’s all out strong-arming via the gun or via the money. The latter is doubtlessly the case in the latest funding cut to UNESCO. This one is easy to follow. (more…)
It was once my utmost duty to self to escape this place, to feel secure in the hills of Jamaica. I was well on my way to the security of the Cockpit Country. From there, my words would have swooped down like one thousand bees upon the eyelids and nostrils of the new invaders, the neocolonialists. All of their arms are still elbow-deep in the honey of my birth land. I was there with my eye on them. (more…)
A part of my rationale for relocating from Jamaica to the USA was to investigate how useful I could be networking and doing outreach on behalf of Manifesto|Jamaica. Much more of the reason was personal but I was happy when I heard about this event and when my theme suggestion (‘Strengthening Youth Contributions’) was used for the event. I sat on a great panel of like-minded individuals, especially one young lady (not captured in this footage) who represented a great organization working with the youth in Haiti. (more…)
On this occasion, I felt compelled to read an excerpt from a great book by Atua Dub called IR9: Indigenous and Black Wisdubs. I recently watched this video for the first in a long time and laughed when I saw myself just walk off the stage after an abrupt end to the recital. The audience took a few seconds to realize that this man had nothing else to say. Seriously, I remember that I had absorbed the words so much that I thought I might have begun a long-winded, emotional monologue right there on the stage. To avoid that, I just left. (more…)
This was my first speech in a public setting. I titled it The Way Forward for Pan-African Youth. Prior to this, the only public speaking I did was on national radio as a talk show host but I didn’t have to face my audience to do that. I did well in my university speech course but it’s a different scenario when I am passionate about what I have to say and I have to overcome anxiety to deliver my message. I usually cringe whenever I start to watch this speech because it shows how much of a novice I was at the time. Nevertheless, I am proud of what I had to say then and it makes me appreciate my present growth. Showing this speech to other people helps to keep me humble. (more…)
Greetings and welcome to the second version of Duttyism. It is not only just a new visual manifestation but, as will become clearer over time, my writing is evolving as well. (more…)