Bolt's 'Dishonorary' Degree?

So a diatribe on Facebook about whether Usain Bolt's achievements to date proved meritorious enough for an honorary degree to be conferred to him by the University of the West Indies last Saturday led me to this new posting. Some Jamaicans strongly oppose this new honor, advancing that he has done nothing to deserve such commendation. One friend said ' These honors are conferred on members of the business or in this case legal community that have excelled in their field or has offered valuable expertise" Another friend opined  'We are people who understand the sacrifice, hard work, financial expense, tenacity and extensive study time it takes for someone  [to] achieve such a distinguished title.' Another friend disagreed with the naysayers urging them to go read on the significance of an honorary degree. So I did some investigating. 

An honorary degree according to the University of Berkley is an honorary doctorate [that] allows accomplished individuals to receive recognition for their successes. Those who receive an honorary doctorate can use the title associated with the degree just the same as someone who completes a doctoral program. The degree is awarded to those who have demonstrated a Honoris Causa, or cause to be honored.The University often derives benefits by being associated with the person in question. 

Many notable individuals have been conferred with this honor, which to the reader may or may not merit their reception. Nelson Mandela, among the many awards and accolades received was conferred a Honorary Doctorate of Laws from City College of New York,  Lancaster University in Brussels and the University of Zimbabwe. Note that Mandela was previously regarded as a terrorist. 


Lennox Lewis, world renowned boxing champion and Jamaican was conferred an honorary Doctors of laws degree from the University of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Lennox Lewis is an Olympic gold medalist and three time boxing heavyweight champion of the world. Louise Bennett, Jamaica’s leading folklorist and comedienne received a Doctor of letters from the University of the West Indies and York University.

 Other notable individuals include Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia  received the honorary Doctor Laws degree from the University of the West Indies and Portia Simpson an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters by Union Institute & University.

The common elements among all named are that they are outstanding in their respective fields and their efforts took sacrifice, hard work and tenacity to achieve their current status. Bolt is a track child prodigy and was discovered by his cricket coach due to his sprints on the pitch. By the age of 12 he was the fastest runner in his class over the 100 metre dash. Bolt became the youngest World Junior Champion at the age of 15, when he won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Kingston Jamaica, 2002. A year later he broke the World Junior record in the 200 metres at the World Youth Championships in Sherbrooke, Canada.

He performed exceptionally well at the junior and youth levels where he broke all the world records  in all age groups in the 200 metres. In fact he became the first junior to run the 200 metres under 20 seconds at the CARIFTA Games held in Bermuda, 2004.

Bolts fame heightened in 2008 when he beat country man Asafa Powell’s record of 9.74 in the 100 metres, setting a new world record of 9.72, at the Reebook Grand Prix meet in New York. USA. During the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Bolt broke the 100 and 200 metre record. He ran the 100 metre in a stunning 9.60 seconds and broke the 12 year old record. At the age of 21 he became the fastest sprinter in the world. He finished the 200 metre race in 19.30 seconds. The Jamaican relay team which included Bolt, set the 4x100 metre world and Olympic records with the time of 37.10 seconds. This was broken again in 2011 at the World Championships 2011 in Daegu, South Korea with a new record of 37.04; he anchored the team to victory.

This is a mere snapshot of Bolts accomplishments and this does not begin to describe the hard work on the track,long hours in the gym, the discipline to work out daily, take supplements and eat healthily. This does not take into account sacrifices that his family and himself took to reach this pinnacle. Now this in no way downplays the hard work of others working towards a Masters or Doctorate degrees or others who are serving our country with little recognition. The University of the West Indies saw it fit to honor Bolt in such a manner and I can too see why they would. What say you?

Its Ok to Be Awkward! Really!!!

Ever think you are the only person who feels awkward in socially related situations? Are you scared of meeting new people, don't know what to do at parties, think you are dumb when it comes to men/women and general relationships? Then this web series may be your next fave!!!

Misadventures of the Awkward Black Girl History

The creative director Issa Rae started the web series with friends gorrilla style from a phrase she originally coined on Facebook. Rae found that her style of awkward black humor was missing from main screen television and decided to attempt to fill that gap. Since the first series, the fan base has grown to over 400,000 strong, they have been featured on CNN, Essence magazine and being recognized by actor heavyweights Dan Glover and Gabrielle Union.

The web series features socially awkward girl 'J' who works at a pharmaceutical company that manufacturers weight loss pills. The series takes us through socially awkward situations with 'J' at her workplace, her coworkers and her first love interest Fred. As the series continues, we get to understand 'J' some more and find her quirkiness very relatable.

You can find out more about ABG and the creater Issa Rae by visiting their website at The Awkward Black Girl Website and her personal website. You can also become a fan of the show at the ABG Facebook Page. You can also follow them on twitter.

The cast is currently doing campus tours, so take a look at the list to see if your campus is a part of the list. For a complete list of schools organized by region click here

The 10th  episode actually premieres tomorrow, so you have a few hours to catch up on the show. Believe me, you wont be able to break from the series until the end. 

So let me know what you think of the miniseries and my blog. Feel free to leave your comments!

New Movie Fave- Breakfast At Tiffany's

Breakfast At Tiffany's is a 1961 movie classic based on the novella  from Truman Capote starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. In the romantic film Audrey Hepburn portrays Holly Golightly a naive, extroverted country girl turn New York socialite who falls in love with  Paul (George Peppard) a young man who is new to her apartment building. Despite the attraction, Holly is determined to find herself a 'rich man' who can take care of her and goes about this by pursuing men in her circle. Conflict arises as she finds herself falling for Paul while her attempts at snatching a rich man proves futile.

While the audience is mesmerized by Golightly's charm, glamour and happy go lucky attitude, there is a hint of desperation and lack of commitment (Holly was secretly married prior to moving to New York) which threatens to later derail her. Disappointed with Holly's lack of commitment Paul admonishes her in the now famous quote :

“You know what’s wrong with you, Miss Whoever-You-Are?

You’re chicken, you’ve got no guts. You’re afraid to stick out your chin and say, “okay, life’s a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that’s the only chance anybody’s got for real happiness.’ You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing and you’re terrified somebody’s going to stick you in a cage  Well baby, you are already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it’s not bounded in the west but Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somalia. It’s wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself.”

The movie is a must see and for those interest in 1960's glamour, Holly is a trendy New Yorker shown in her 

triple strand faux pearl necklaces, oversized dark sunglasses and her Hubert de Givenchy dresses worn throughout the movie.The opening black Givenchy dress made famous by Hepburn epitomized the standard for wearing little black dresses, accessorized with pearls, as was frequently seen throughout early 1960s.

I wont give away all the goodies on the film, so I urge you all to do go watch this movie. You will be glad you took my advice. Please tell me what you think!