We Party With The Fastest People In The World

Tommie Smith (center), pictured here at the Mexico City Olympics of 1968, was once the fastest 200 m sprinter in the world.



Usain Bolt, olympic gold medalist (Beijing 2008) and world record holder in 100m, 200m, and 4X100 exchanging shoes with Gold Medalist Tommie Smith, pictured above. I realized about ten minutes too late that it was the same Tommie Smith, and lost him in the crowd.



Raph and MC Webber of Beijing's Roots Reggae and Hip Hop Band
Beijing Live Hip Hop Experience




DJ Wordy keepin it irie on the 1's&2's



















Chinese traditional dancers get their willie-bounce on...
strike-uh-pose-make-uh-face


Tessanne Chin, dancehall and rocksteady reggae queen
bless'd us with her chart-topping hit, Hide Away


At the conclusion of the Track-and-Field portion of the Olympics, there was no better place to be than the birthday party of Mr. Usain Bolt, the man who literally proved that Jamaicans are the fastest people in the world. Although I doubt anyone seriously doubted that they weren't before; it takes nothing short of superhuman speed to run one of them West Indian buffets in Brooklyn. At Beijing's Puma store, the scene was complete with painted shoes and painted masks, colorful music and colorful ambassadors, gold medal athletes and gold beef patties. Best believe i pocketed two or three and got extras on rice and beans. The crowd itself, which was invitation only, was a hodge-podge of color and country, although dominated by Jamaicans and Chinese, included Ugandans, Indians, Americans, Italians, you name it...so long as they had a Jamaican friend. All partyin' and picture taking under one roof on a cool night in Beijing.

Cultural determinalists believe Chinese culture to be one that relies on assimilation; that is, throughout history the Chinese have presented an image of cultural dominance, where both their conquerors and subjects adopt Chinese traditions and culture, by force or persuasion, out of the sheer influence and mass of a 2000 year old codified civilization.

..But how does that explain an occassion like this? On the surface, it seems fair: we were in China. The musicians and performers were Chinese. The entire place seemed to resonate with the same general principle: Chinese exterior, Jamaican interior.

We, however, must bring awareness the rippling effect that mutual interaction has on so-called "opposing" cultures. It is as if the existing principle explains question and answer, but fails to account for the depth of inner dialogue between. There are processes of negotiation and communication we casually omit in instances of so-called assimilation. They simply are considered it as expressions of resistance or marginalization. Culture does, after all, include characteristics one chooses to display. An image of pure and total dominance by either side just doesn't sell it for me. Nor does resistance simply for self-preservation. The beauty lies in the conversation; in the consideration of those things which we choose to display.


It is in this way that we should view Ms. Tessanne Chin. A lover of the road life, she's toured with Jimmy Cliff's band, and her recent successes have led more than one person to turn their head in appreciation of her vocal range. Heads roll indeed, Jamaican and Chinese alike, in suprise: "Wait, you mean she's not black?" In truth, Tessanne Chin is a third generation Chinese, born and raised in Jamaica. In a way, she returned home to China after never being there.

In between bombardments of Puma advertisements, we were treated to traditional Chinese dancers. The dancers themselves donned Qing-era guise, which moments later they only shed to expose tropical Starburst tracksuits and lots-a-rump-shakin'-- a conscious play on the entire process objectification and assimilation. The Beijing Live Hip Hop Experience, the 'jing's only live hip hop band, tonight boasted live reggae with Chinese vocals. Dual emcees Raph and MC Webber switched off on English and Mandarin vocals over old-school reggae and hip-hop reggaton riddims. Saxophonist Ijapa has a deep understanding and admiration of rastafarianism--Raph himself is straight from the West coast, which we know is not without his reggae influences--Beijing born and bred MC Webber even broke out the gold-green-black hemp pumas and an LRG straw fitted.

This ain't seem like no accident; band nor dancers did not suddenly stumble upon reggae music or suddenly all decide to try imitate it.

Raph: "I'm just not tryin to be a Ja-FAKE-can"

Its about cultural syncretism, folks; in a way, the dialogue between cultures, and it is not without its nuances and missed whispers.


Congrats Jamaica!


-Jam