We are FREE, FREE, FREE.. at liberty. For 2014, I restrain myself from doing my usual reporting of activities in commemoration of Jamaica’s Independence and Emancipation. There are numerous events across Jamaica, needless to say across the world celebrating Jamaica’s Independence and Emancipation. Of course the new events such as Jamaica Sound System Festival in St Ann happening after August 6th, are even more welcome.
I am instead processing several ways in which I as a journalist can make a valid contribution hereon after to prod more Jamaicans into an intimate and interactive appreciation of what ‘being Jamaican’ truley means.
So I travel across Jamaica and interact with Jamaicans especially the elderly. Pretty soon there will be articles right here about people, places, and aspects of Jamaica that are not from the box of your annual expectations.
Until then I am inviting you to reflect on the following hints as to why readers everywhere, Jamaican or not, should celebrate Jamaica.
Indeed Jamaica as a country is free having gained independence on August 6, 1962, 52 years ago. Today is the day for all Jamaicans to lay aside challenges and hatred and settle to think on just what it means to be free. Here’s a list of some things not usually thought of but which Jamaicans should celebrate:
1. Jamaica’s motto: Out of many one people. Truley a people birthed from many nations, let us take time to think on how we have blended the many influences into one unique nation
2. Jamaica has come a long way. Jamaica is a small island, but tallawah. See here now from Columbus and him big ship how we advance inna dih world till we a fly all to China fih spread the gospel of Jamaicans.
3. Big up national heroes, ancestors .. Nanny, Cudjoe, Marcus Garvey in their fight and influence for Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence
Now if wih neva get a reason fih spread how Nanny catch up bullets in ar skirt, while others dodge some fih free Jamaica, a wonder where we wouldda be right now
4. Jamaica’s literary artistes does us very proud with all dem books, poetry. Cuh pon how much poetry festivals a start up a yawd much less abroad
5. Jamaica’s performing artistes are doing well internationally in a variety of expressions music dance and more. When Bad Boy Trevor, Shebada, Dahlia Harris and such can join the fus generation dem a actors and score dem owna goal a farin – wih nuh easi yuh noa!
6. Jamaica’s culinary arts impresses the world. To tink how people come and ah ask fi Christmus cake and duckunno, Jamaican yam, ackee saltfish and Jamaican pina colada
7. Jamaica’s visual artistes have had their share of fighting. I wonder how many people know bout Alexander Cooper and him dealings in Washington DC, and Barrington Watson being the youngest black student at fi him art school way back den. But then how much Jamaican know seh Barry behind the curriculum mek hundreds a Jamaicans can study art as subject tidday
8. The elderly who are among us who can remember and remind us about Jamaica before 1962
9. Heather Grant the first female to win a JCDC festival song contest.. with a splenderrific choice ‘Gimmie Back Mih Sweet Jamaica”
10. The resilience of Jamaicans wherever we find ourselves is something all should reflect on daily as a halmark to press towards and uphold. Where else will you find a people who perform wonders under pressure generation to generation. Tek the National Anthem serious all when the music is borrowed goods… it reminds us of our strength and the good ole time religion of our forefathers that worked for them and good enough to pull us through any storm.
11. Jamaica we own as a place to call home regardless of the challenges and problems, complaints and drama.. Jamaica belongs to ALL Jamaicans.
12. Jamaicans continue to have visions, own a pioneering spirit, and overall are willing when put to the test to work hard to hold on to what’s theirs.
13. The Educators who in their own way sacrifice their own dreams to train Jamaicans into realising their own dreams.
14. The Diaspora. Nuff people nuh realise seh if Jamaican neva go abroad we wouldnt understand half.. and some wouldnt get nuh chance fih shine, and some wouldno get no knowledge and kno how fih criticise much less tell back some a wah lef back a yawd how dem can tep up demselve.
15. The JCDC and the impressive competitions they host that expose and encourage creativity, culture, talent of Jamaica.
16. Dont forget other sponsor / hosts and other competitions bringing out the raw talent and culture pure and unadulterated.
17. Jamaican media personnel are often overlooked especially the ones who confine themselves to the pen.
and continues…
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To quote a famous Jamaican “Until then I am inviting you to reflect on the following hints as to why readers everywhere, Jamaican or not, should celebrate Jamaica.” 17. Jamaican media personnel are often overlooked especially the ones who confine themselves to the pen. Ya lost me on this one and was and continues the end because I get nothing after