Jamaica At 57
“If you're going to hold someone down you're going to
have to hold on by the other end of the chain. You are confined by your own repression.”-
Toni Morrison
On the day Jamaica commemorates her 57th anniversary of political independence the international community was plunged in grief and mourning at the passing of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. Morrison was the first African American woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. One can find many parallels in the life and work of this most accomplished novelist and the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Jamaica with a population of fewer than 3 million people has risen to become a cultural power house in the eyes of the international community. Brand Jamaica is both respected and admired all across the world. Jamaica has had many firsts as well especially in the creative and cultural arenas. Earlier this year we were the first Caribbean nation to make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup football finals held in France. In 1988 Jamaica made Bobsleigh history by their appearance in the Winter Olympic Games. Morrison too rose to become one of the most if not the most celebrated writer of her era. As the years roll on there are some who will argue that fewer and fewer Jamaicans appreciate and value Jamaica’s political independence from England. In fact that is a growing section of the population who continue to debate and perhaps wish Jamaica was still a dependency of the United Kingdom. Many Jamaicans think that life would have been better off for them under the rule of our colonizer. This version of their truth is especially more forceful upon examining life in islands in the Caribbean region which are still under the rule of the United Kingdom. The Cayman Islands is always singled out as a good example of this “good life”. To a lesser extent we look to Turks and Caicos, Bermuda and Anguilla which are British Overseas Territories. Perhaps we need to separate economic independence from the conversation which continues to evade the Jamaican society. A recent survey by the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions tabled in the Senate recently revealed that the number of Jamaicans living below the poverty line increased to 19.3 per cent in 2017. In other words 1 out of every 5 Jamaican is living in poverty. One can imagine that it must have taken an audacious spirit to negotiate Jamaica’s independence in 1962. This audacity of character had inspired an earlier generation of political leaders to demand independence. This same boldness was also an important trait that Morrison displayed in her literary and artistic writings. Unfortunately, one gets the feeling that younger Jamaicans are becoming and have become more detached from politics and by extension our history of political history. Regardless of where you stand regarding Jamaica’s independence or as my cousin Sharon who lives in the United Kingdom puts it ‘co-dependence’ we all have dreams, aspirations and hope for a better life and for a more inclusive and peaceful society. As we celebrate our rich and enviable history, and as we look forward to the future there are obviously a few things we need to address, among them is the intolerable crime rate which has devastated and torn so many families apart. We have much to give God thanks for in this our island of Jamaica. We have freedom of religion, freedom of association, a free press. Our climate! Our world class athletes are world beaters. Our food! Our culture is second to none! Let us build on the positives as we look ahead to much better times. Happy Independence Jamaica!
In the powerful words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
@WayneCamo
©
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On the day Jamaica commemorates her 57th anniversary of political independence the international community was plunged in grief and mourning at the passing of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. Morrison was the first African American woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. One can find many parallels in the life and work of this most accomplished novelist and the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Jamaica with a population of fewer than 3 million people has risen to become a cultural power house in the eyes of the international community. Brand Jamaica is both respected and admired all across the world. Jamaica has had many firsts as well especially in the creative and cultural arenas. Earlier this year we were the first Caribbean nation to make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup football finals held in France. In 1988 Jamaica made Bobsleigh history by their appearance in the Winter Olympic Games. Morrison too rose to become one of the most if not the most celebrated writer of her era. As the years roll on there are some who will argue that fewer and fewer Jamaicans appreciate and value Jamaica’s political independence from England. In fact that is a growing section of the population who continue to debate and perhaps wish Jamaica was still a dependency of the United Kingdom. Many Jamaicans think that life would have been better off for them under the rule of our colonizer. This version of their truth is especially more forceful upon examining life in islands in the Caribbean region which are still under the rule of the United Kingdom. The Cayman Islands is always singled out as a good example of this “good life”. To a lesser extent we look to Turks and Caicos, Bermuda and Anguilla which are British Overseas Territories. Perhaps we need to separate economic independence from the conversation which continues to evade the Jamaican society. A recent survey by the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions tabled in the Senate recently revealed that the number of Jamaicans living below the poverty line increased to 19.3 per cent in 2017. In other words 1 out of every 5 Jamaican is living in poverty. One can imagine that it must have taken an audacious spirit to negotiate Jamaica’s independence in 1962. This audacity of character had inspired an earlier generation of political leaders to demand independence. This same boldness was also an important trait that Morrison displayed in her literary and artistic writings. Unfortunately, one gets the feeling that younger Jamaicans are becoming and have become more detached from politics and by extension our history of political history. Regardless of where you stand regarding Jamaica’s independence or as my cousin Sharon who lives in the United Kingdom puts it ‘co-dependence’ we all have dreams, aspirations and hope for a better life and for a more inclusive and peaceful society. As we celebrate our rich and enviable history, and as we look forward to the future there are obviously a few things we need to address, among them is the intolerable crime rate which has devastated and torn so many families apart. We have much to give God thanks for in this our island of Jamaica. We have freedom of religion, freedom of association, a free press. Our climate! Our world class athletes are world beaters. Our food! Our culture is second to none! Let us build on the positives as we look ahead to much better times. Happy Independence Jamaica!
In the powerful words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Wayne Campbell is an
educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as
they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com@WayneCamo
©
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