The Dilemma that is Downtown Kingston…
To date, downtown Kingston has often been secluded and associated to inner city violence and tension.
Prejudiced attitudes towards people living downtown and in inner cities has encouraged a stigmatization of these people as somehow worthless and deserving of their fate, and perpetuating their insecurity.
HOWEVER, in reality…
Downtown and its inner cities are proud, vibrant and creative communities and share in Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage. Notable figures such as Bob Marley, Chronixx, Dennis Brown, Elephant Man (to name a few) all stem from underprivileged /stigmatized neighbourhoods.
The power of this project lies in:
- helping to improve the identity of downtown Kingston and inner city residents through visual surroundings & aesthetics
- reducing the likelihood of crime, unemployment and “unproductive loitering” by engaging residents into a project thereby helping them to redefine themselves
- creating a new landmark which could drive global attention and enhancing Kingston’s reputation
The project is entirely supported via crowdfunding and gracious donations and will commence on July 16 2014.
Keep up with this amazing movement happening in Kingston showing your support for the arts and social intervention by using the hashtags #paintjamaica and #openyourwalls and stay connected with the on social media;
Facebook- facebook.com/paintjamaica
Instagram- @paintjamaica
Twitter- @paintjamaica
Below is a series dubbed 'Real Talk' where members of the Paint Jamaica team have REAL dialogues with the people of inner city communities.