“The best apology is changed behavior.” – Unknown
A little after 12amET this morning, Hollywood actor and entrepreneur, Michael B Jordan issued an apology via his Instagram stories. An apology which can only be seen within 24hrs of posting.
The public pressure from social media outrage, this petition and Nicki Minaj’s public statement seemed to have affected his decision to finally issue a response to the Caribbean folks who have been deeply hurt by the revelation of his new J’Ouvert Rum.
Michael B Jordan Addresses J’Ouvert Rum Trademark
“I’m sure MBJ didn’t intentionally do anything he thought Caribbean ppl would find offensive,” wrote the “Seeing Green” rapper, “but now that you are aware, change the name & continue to flourish & prosper.” – Nicki Minaj
I am proud of everyone of you who’ve signed this petition and those who will. Please never take for granted how one simple act, such as signing your name on a petition, can impact great change.
We hear you Mike. We acknowledge your apology. Now, we wait to hear from the Trinidadians involved, who did you and your brand a big disservice with this trademarking. The same Trinis who disrespected their own people and desecrated their own culture for the sale of rum.
Why Are The Trinis Involved In J’Ouvert Rum Silent?
In an article posted yesterday on T&T’s Newsday, Angostura claims that, “What we can say is that we have no contractual relationship with J’Ouvert for the supply of rum.” and “The placement of Angostura’s bitters into packages has occurred in the past with product launches internationally. This does not mean that Angostura has any relationship with the product being launched.”
We await a transparent response from these Caribbean folks – Scott Williams, alleged co-owner of J’Ouvert Rum and owner of NYC hot spot Las’ Lap, Rene Spellman, Chief Impact Officer of Obsidian Works (MBJ’s new marketing agency), Hema S. Ramkissoon, Head of Marketing for Angostura Ltd., and others.
Support Jay Blessed’s Caribbean Excellence brand HERE.
Please come to the front of the delegation and tell us what’s really going on here? We also ask that you put ego aside and approach the public…and even myself… with a high level of respect and humility. We did nothing wrong by expressing our deep pain by this development. We are the people whose support you need.
This is only the beginning of larger conversations and the global regulation of how traditional, cultural and historical content and commodities should be revered and respected.
I shared my thoughts about creating the petition Stop Michael B Jordan’s Trademark of J’OUVERT For His Rum, in an interview with esteemed Caribbean journalist, Melissa Noel, for Essence.com. Click the link below.
CLICK: Actor Michael B. Jordan Faced Backlash Over Launch of Rum Brand “J’Ouvert,” Now Promises a Name Change
Thank you so much for all who took a stand by signing the petition. We as a collective need to reclaim all that is sacred to us! Our ancestors are proud of the work we are doing to protect our indigenous rituals, tribal history and cultural expressions.
I implore you to keep sharing this petition. Can you commit right now to sending the petition to ten more people? Click HERE and share the link via Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, email, etc.
Thank You For Signing The J’Ouvert Petition
For those asking, what’s the objective of the Michael B Jordan / J’Ouvert Rum petition?
1) To stop the fraudulent trademarking of the word J’Ouvert
2) To hold those involved accountable to the collective and be transparent about their true intent and business dealings with J’Ouvert Rum
3) To add these signatures to a Letter of Protest to be filed and submitted to the Commissioner of the USPTO.
4) To restart healthy and productive conversations, and execute meaningful actions, with Caribbean governments and stakeholders, towards the preservation of our history and culture.
More than ever, we need our governments to create a universal cultural guideline and add funding to culturally-focused educational bodies, with the sole purpose of educating the masses about our people, our culture, our history – so that foreign governing entities, such as the USPTO, would understand that patois is a language and that there certain words and cultural expressions that CAN NOT be trademarked!
We already have Caribbean historians, educators, ambassadors, performers, influencers and others already doing the work. HIRE US!
If we stand together we can’t be ignored… not by the world nor by our very own governments!
And please remember, if the collective is not the majority benefactor of cultural enterprises, then it’s not about culture… it’s about capitalism… and we will dismantle your greed!
In the words of Trinidadian Entertainment Attorney and owner of @thebusinessofcarnival, Carla Parris, “Let this be a wake up call for us to proactively engage in the protection of our Intellectual Property & Traditional Cultural Expressions so that we can fully capitalize on the financial potential of our creativity!”
J’Ouvert iz we ting!
– Jay Blessed
CLICK, SIGN AND SHARE THE LINK: Stop Michael B Jordan’s Trademark of J’OUVERT For His Rum!
RELATED STORIES:
Jay Blessed Keynote Speaker at WeLead Caribbean DisruptHER Conference
Keeping NYC’s West Indian / Caribbean Culture Alive
WordPress
Google + 
Facebook
