Cousin Leroy’s Jamaica Update

The Bronx, New York | Thursday, April 9, 2026

Leroy reads the Jamaica Observer every morning in the break room at work. He has opinions.

GAS PRICES

They raise gas prices in Jamaica again. I see it on the Observer website this morning. Effective today. Every time I go back to visit, something cost more. Beef patty, bus fare, gas — everything. My cousin in May Pen texted me and said the coaster bus already announce a new fare. I said to him, they don’t waste time. He said the driver announce it before the government even put out a press release. That is efficiency.

HURRICANE PEOPLE STILL IN THE SCHOOLS

Now they saying hurricane Melissa people still in the schools and something inappropriate going on. How long that hurricane was now? Months. And people still in schools. In the Bronx we have a saying: a temporary situation that last six months is not temporary. That is a permanent situation with optimistic paperwork. The ministry saying they investigating. I hope they investigate fast because the children need to go to school without all that extra stress.

THE WORLD CUP THING

Okay. So. Jamaica did not qualify for the World Cup. The World Cup with 48 teams. Forty-eight. I’m not going to say what I think about that. My boy Marcus at the barbershop already said it. Three times. With hand gestures. Jamaica going to the Unity Cup in London instead. My man Marcus said the Unity Cup sounds like something they invented to make people feel better. I am not going to confirm or deny that. We going to London. Respect.

SHANOYA THOUGH

But then I see Shanoya Douglas is number one in the world in the hundred and two hundred. Number one. And I calm down about the football situation. Jamaica can’t always win on the pitch but on the track? Different story. Different conversation entirely. We fast. We always been fast. That is the inheritance.

CRICKET COMING

West Indies Championship starting soon and Jamaica hosting Barbados. My auntie in Kingston loves cricket. She going. I told her Barbados hasn’t lost to Jamaica in years and she said “Leroy that is why we call it sport.” She has a point. I still think Barbados going to win. But I will not be saying that to my auntie.

THE BISHOP

New Anglican bishop elected for Montego Bay. Reverend Colin Reid. My grandmother would have been very interested in this. She knew every bishop. She kept track of these things like some people keep track of football transfers. I am going to call my mother and tell her. She will know who the Reid family is.

Cousin Leroy is a Jamaican-American in the Bronx who reads the news every morning before his shift. He is perpetually optimistic about Jamaica cricket despite the evidence.