Art mirroring life? Publisher compares book to west Kingston strife

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

While following bloody clashes between security forces and gunmen in west Kingston from her New York home last month, Phyllis Cross could not help comparing the developments to Yardies - The Making of a Jamaican Posse, a book she published three years ago.

"This story is eerily reminiscent of the current situation of lawlessness and drug dealing as well as strife between citizens of Kingston and the authorities," Cross told The Gleaner. "Richie is viewed in many circles as a hero of the people, a Robin Hood of sorts, beloved by his friends who remain fiercely loyal to him and desperately sought by the government and police," she added.

Richie is the main character in Yardie, the first book published by Cross' Ghettolife Publishing company in 2007. Written by Jamaican Prince Kofi, it tells a story with which many Jamaicans are familiar.

Richie, a youth from a tough ghetto community in Kingston, finds his way illegally to the United States with dreams of making it big. He gets involved in the selling of illegal drugs and eventually becomes a marked man.

forceful measures

Cross, who is from Clarendon, said she has lived in the United States for 23 years. She believes forceful measures by legislators in Jamaica can reduce the number of 'Richies'.

"I would think that any patriotic Jamaican is glad that a step has been taken to reduce the nexus between politicians and their armed supporters but regrets the loss of life and the sullying of Jamaica's reputation," she said.

"The impact really depends on what steps we take now. If we show maturity and statesmanship, then it will be positive."

Cross lives in the Bronx, one of three boroughs in New York City with a massive Jamaican population. Since the 1970s, Jamaican gangs, most notably the Shower Posse, have sprung up in other Caribbean-strong areas like Brooklyn and Queens where they operate lucrative drug networks.

gang leader coke

US authorities claim west Kingston enforcer Christopher 'Dudus' Coke is leader of the Shower Posse, a gang that was formed in Brooklyn in the mid 1970s.

A warrant for his arrest for extradition to the US where he is wanted on charges of arms and drug trafficking triggered the May 24-26 bloodbath in west Kingston that saw over 70 civilians and three members of the security forces killed.

The illegal operations of gangs like the Shower Posse not only earned them millions of dollars, but resulted in the deaths of hundreds of persons throughout the United States (US).

Like Richie, many Jamaican gang leaders entered the US illegally. Cross believes empowering youth from impoverished areas is critical for the trend to end.

"We must rid the country of garrison communities. Hopefully, it can be done with better preparations and intervention and with reduced loss of lives," she said.