The Good: First Rastafarian wins Ms. Jamaica Universe titleFollowing her historic victory: "I was just in absolute awe. I was elated, I was overwhelmed; it's a feeling I've never felt before, so everything that I'm saying is just a mere approximation to the emotions I was going through at that time."
As the proclamation came over the system, 'Zahra Redwood, Miss Jamaica 2007!' an African song played softly in the background and Cindy Wright, Miss Jamaica Universe 2006, balanced the large diamond crown on Miss Redwood's pinned locks.
CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2006
THE WHITE HOUSE
The Good: Captain Barrington Irving, Jr
Barrington A. Irving, Jr., an aerospace student at Florida Memorial University, and reportedly the youngest person and first black person and first Jamaican American to pilot a plane around the world solo.
Irving was born in Jamaica, and grew up in the Miami, Florida area.
Irving started his journey on March 23, 2007 in the Opa-locka Airport located near Miami, planning to complete the trip in 41 days. His airplane, a Columbia 400, is named the "Inspiration", and was assembled by himself using over $300,000 in donated parts.
The first two stops on his itinerary were Cleveland and Long Island.
On June 27, 2007, Irving completed his flight around the world, after 95 days of travel, making him the youngest, and first Jamacian American to complete a solo flight around the world.
Irving turned down multiple football scholarship offers with his sights set on aviation. He later founded Experience Aviation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering minority youth to pursue careers in aviation.
The Bad: Jamaica's female prime minister struggling 
When Portia Simpson Miller became their first female Prime Minister, Jamaicans celebrated in the streets, hailing "Sista P" as a warmhearted champion of the poor.
Months later, much of her support had dissipated. A scandal over a political donation from a European company and her failure to reduce crime had voters questioning her effectiveness. The homespun style many once found endearing had begun to work against her.
Beyond the donation scandal, Simpson Miller's administration failed to curb criminal violence, which many Jamaicans consider the country's most pressing problem. More than 1,000 people were murderered-- the third straight year that homicides have topped that number on the island of 2.6 million people.
With opponents urging her to call early elections, Simpson Miller risked becoming one of Jamaica's shortest-serving prime ministers since independence from Britain in 1962.
On September 3, 2007 her party narrowly lost the 2007 general election retaining 27 seats against the rival Jamaican Labour Party 's 33 seats. Simpson-Miller initially refused to concede defeat alleging voting irregularities and the possibility that recounts will change the final result. The Organization of American States issued a statement declaring the election free and fair. "I believe this election can stand international scrutiny," said OAS assistant secretary-general Albert Ramdin who led a team of international observers who monitored the election.
She conceded defeat on September 5, 2007. Then on September 11, Simpson Miller was succeeded as Prime Minister by JLP leader Bruce Golding.
The Bad: Montego Bay 'makes it rain' at the 11th annual Dancehall Queen Competition, forcing the promoters to rethink the format of future staging of the event.
Martin expressed disappointment at what he said were the misguided actions of a minority of the audience, which succeeded in marring the event and scoffed at accusations by some patrons that they colluded with the judges to select Francato as the eventual winner.
Francato was the second Non Jamaican to win the Dancehall Queen title. The first was Junko, from Japan.
The Bad: Beenie Man and D'Angel
The 'King of the Dancehall' owes the government millions in taxes, and she keeps getting booed at stage shows. Together and apart, these two have been on a roller-coaster ride with no end in sight.
The Ugly: The murder of Lucky Dube
South African Reggae singer, Lucky Philip Dube (pronounced doo-bay) was killed in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville shortly after dropping two of his seven children off at their uncle’s house on October 18, 2007. News of his murder has triggered outrage in the entertainment industry, and particularly in countries where Mr. Dube performed, including Jamaica.Police reports suggest he was shot dead by carjackers. Five men have been arrested in connection with the murder. He is survived by his wife, Zanele, and his seven children.
As a frontline artist in the reggae genre, Lucky's creativity and inventiveness kept growing.Compelling in his musicianship and intriguing in his lyrical content, Lucky's sonic daring to take his genre to new heights never failed to amaze even the most ardent fans, whilst reigning in new devotees to his magic every day.
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