The Sylbourne Sydial Podcast: Dialogues That Matter
Stagione 3
The Case for Beach Rights in Jamaica With Dr Devon Taylor
A NEW JAMAICA, WHAT WILL IT TAKE With My Guest Fifth Element
The Real Issues in Jamaica: Marvin Likkle Fyah Speaks Out
di Sylbourne Sydial
We are taking on an issue that touches every Jamaican — whether you live in Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, or whether you are part of the Jamaican Diaspora. The beach. Jamaica is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. Our beaches are part of our natural heritage, our culture, our tourism industry and, arguably, part of what it means to be Jamaican. But tonight we are asking a very simple question: Do Jamaicans have a genuine right to access their beaches? And if so, what does that right actually mean? This isn't simply a debate about whether somebody should be allowed through a hotel gate. It is a much bigger conversation about public access, private property, tourism, investment, fishermen, communities and national heritage. Jamaica's Beach Control Act dates back to 1956, and the law provides mechanisms for establishing public rights to use beaches and access them. And yet, decades later, beach access remains a recurring and sensitive issue. So tonight, I want to move beyond the arguments and ask: What is the law? What are the rights of ordinary Jamaicans? Who is responsible for protecting those rights? And what should Jamaica's beach policy look like in the future?
My discussion tonight is with 5th Element a humanitarian, activist, community advocate, motivational speaker, writer, and a dedicated voice for the voiceless. Her commitment to service spans decades. She brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to leadership, organization, crisis response, and community action, with experience working across diverse communities and participating in hands-on humanitarian efforts. Her journey began long before her current public advocacy. Through motivational speaking, youth mentorship, radio and television, writing, and stage productions, she has created platforms addressing self-worth, family relationships, peer pressure, and challenging social issues while helping people recognize the power of their own voices. If we really want a New Jamaica — what will it take? For decades, Jamaicans have talked about change. We have talked about crime, poverty, unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure, housing, education, political division and communities that sometimes feel forgotten. But tonight, I want us to go beyond simply identifying the problems. What are we actually prepared to do about them? Because a New Jamaica cannot simply be a new slogan. It cannot simply mean changing the faces in Parliament. And it certainly cannot mean waiting for one political party or one political leader to come and rescue the country. A New Jamaica requires new thinking, new leadership, stronger institutions, greater accountability and, perhaps most importantly, a new relationship between the people and those who govern them. Tonight, we are going to look particularly at Coopers Pen — not simply as a place on a map, but as an example of the challenges facing communities across Jamaica. What happens when ordinary citizens feel that their voices are not being heard?
The Real Issues in Jamaica: Marvin Likkle Fyah Speaks Out Join Sylbourne Sydial and Marvin Likkle Fyah for a candid conversation on the power of advocacy in Jamaica. Learn how asking difficult questions creates real change. In this episode of The Sylbourne Sydial Show, we sit down with Marvin Edgar, who joins us from Panama to discuss the state of social activism. This discussion is designed for anyone interested in understanding the realities of speaking up for the public interest. We break down why effective advocacy is not about making noise, but about challenging the status quo and ensuring that unheard voices gain the attention they deserve. Throughout the conversation, we examine the responsibilities of those who stand up when something is not right. By focusing on critical issues affecting the Jamaican community, we explore how to maintain consistency in your message. Whether you are already involved in community work or simply looking to understand the mechanics of social change, this talk provides a clear perspective on what it means to be a consistent advocate for the people. Marvin has been speaking about issues affecting people in Jamaica and using advocacy to bring attention to matters that deserve to be heard. Because advocacy is not simply about making noise. Advocacy is about asking difficult questions. It's about standing up when something isn't right. It's about giving a voice to people who sometimes feel that nobody is listening.
The Reality of Policing in the USA: A Jamaican View Exploring how Jamaicans in the Diaspora navigate law enforcement in the USA. Join us for an honest discussion on policing. Many people within our community have questions regarding their interactions with the authorities abroad. This episode focuses on the specific challenges and perspectives faced by Jamaicans in the Diaspora when engaging with law enforcement agencies. We aim to provide clarity on rights and systemic issues that affect our people living overseas. By looking at the current landscape of USA policing, we hope to foster a better understanding of how to protect ourselves and our families. Effective community engagement is essential for navigating these complex environments with confidence. Subscribe for weekly perspectives on our community, and share your own experiences with law enforcement in the comments below.