Dawson - The Voice Of The Jamaican Ghetto

First edition published in 2012

Second edition published in 2013 by

Ghetto People Publishing Company Ltd/ On the Ground Communications

6 Cheriton Road

Kingston 2

Jamaica, West Indies

ISBN 978-0-615-51067-5

eISBN 9781483506340

Ghetto People Publishing Company Limited 2012

Adidja Palmer and Michael Dawson

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Edited by Denneille Luke

Cover design and Photographs by Keecha Gooch, Goochie Productions

for
THERESA WILSON PALMER

AND
ESLYN LAMOURIA WILLIAMS

It goes without saying that this venture would be nothing without certain persons. On behalf of Addi, I would like to salute all the souljahs who helped to make this dream a reality. However, we must first acknowledge the two ladies that are the inspiration for this book and without whom there would be no Adidja Palmer or Michael Dawson.

Firstly, Theresa Wilson Palmer; I think the best way to capture the relationship between you and Addi is to depict that first night of his incarceration. You wanted to go in and see him at all costs not because Vybz Kartel was in jail but because your son was. However, despite not knowing how many days of incarceration were ahead, his only concern was that you did not see him behind bars as he was more concerned about your health than his freedom that moment will touch me forever. He has such great love and profound respect for you. Even during that night, there was that spiritual communication between mother and son. A spiritual connection Addi has shared with me that he holds so dearly in his heart. The only time I have seen him emotional is when he refers to you, the kids and Shorty or other close family. I almost feel wrong writing about this because I dont think I can do his feelings for you justice in my words except to say that I am sure that he is being strong and he is getting by because your love made him strong. Secondly, Eslyn Lamouria Williams (Patsy), my mother, mommy, I cannot do you justice in words either. You have been my mother, father, friend and number one fan all my life. I bet after the Honour Rolls and Its A Smart World appearances I did on jBC along with the Catholic school education you provided me; you probably never figured that your son would end up writing a book bunning out Babylon with Jamaicas most notorious Dancehall Artist but Mommy you know I N I a Rastafari and Jah Works must be done. I thank you for giving me the foundation and the means to do this most important work of my life thus far. Prior to this, the high point of my career was cutting Miss Lous last birthday cake with her and doing Olivers play but I can say I have never been prouder than I am now to stand up beside the people of the Ghetto and speak up for the them. It is through my observation of your life and the lessons you and Grandma taught me about giving your heart and soul to those in need especially when they dont ask or give you anything in return. Mommy, my number one goal in life is to make you proud of me and I hope this book makes you proud, I love you Mommy, you are my hero.

To my wife Camille, it is very comforting to know that I have your love and support in all my endeavors even when you know they are risky. You have not only encouraged me but you have taken time out of your motherly duties and own workload to help me with mine. Joshie and Michael Junior, sorry about all the soccer matches and play time Daddy missed; I look forward to making it up to you. Kayla, you are my Princess and you exemplify what Addi explained to me what Gaza is having your own identity, believing in what you believe in and work hard to achieve.

To all the people who helped to work on this book, we thank you for your efforts and your bravery in speaking up for the Ghetto against Babylon. A very special thanks to Keecha Gooch or Goochie as Addi calls you for your efforts from day one until now. We have wanted to put a label on your hard work researcher, editor, co-ordinator, administrator, creative director but I guess you have done it all. This project was our toughest but we did it. Our Senior Editor, D. Luke, words cant express the gratitude we have for your consult, tireless work and dedication. Mr. Paul Burke, I often wonder what it would be like to do a business venture without your advice and guidance. Lonique Marcy Chin, Anna Sarayna Edwards, RNM; those were some crazy all nighters we pulled at UWI dealing with the KFC as we edited in between Addis jokes. Mrs. Sam, thanks for opening up your business to be our office and making us feel at home. Oliver Samuels, Sizzla and all my other business partners; thanks for your support. Mark, Norman, Dahron, Nikki, Vijay, Cary, both Sharons and all the part time editors big up. Camille M, Jan, Aisha and the rest of the Whirlwind crew, the work has only began. We have to take the message on behalf of Jamaicas poor people to the world. It is an honourable task to be a voice for the voice less so let us do this job with the utmost zeal and vigour.

The news keeps reporting that Vybz Kartel is in jail but I disagree with that. I can assure you that if you check the Correctional Departments roster, no person with the first name Vybz and last name Kartel is listed as an inmate. There is indeed a man named Adidja Palmer in jail. His stage name, alias, moniker or whatever you want to call it, happens to be Vybz Kartel but for those of us who know Addi it would seem that, through this classification or association, the public, the police and the media have tried and convicted the controversial deejay Vybz Kartel that they love to hate and have Adidja Palmer serving Kartels sentence without the benefit of a trial.

The title of this Section is Preface and I am supposed to give you a little preview of what is to come in the book. There are literary protocols to follow; a format to adhere to; appropriate words to use; an acceptable length to work within, all these rules to follow, but how do I do that? What is the protocol for what I am doing now? How are you supposed to write a Preface when your co-author is in jail, charged with double murder without being granted the human right to get bail? What are the rules concerning that? Are you supposed to pretend that it is not happening or do you acknowledge it and let the reader know how you truly feel? I mean, the irony is glaring. Addi is one of the most recognizable persons in Jamaica and his visa woes are well known yet he is not able to secure bail when, with what little knowledge I have of the justice system, the key determinant of bail eligibility is the likelihood of the accused not turning up for trial. Now really, where is Vybz Kartel going to hide in Jamaica or how many would not recognize him at the ports?

Well, I admit, I do not have the strong will and determination like Adidja Palmer. When I last visited him, he told me nuh worry MD, man anuh Girl Guide, Man a Soldier, with the confident snicker I am used to. Understand, long before we wrote this book, Addi explained to me the fear he had of the police, in fact, the first email he ever sent to me explained that he felt they were out to get him. This is one of the things we have in common due to my childhood experiences with the police. He reminded me of the cry of police brutality by Peter Tosh, the unsolved murders of Biggie/Tupac and the seemingly endless stories of the demise of those who stood up to