Jamaicas 49th Year of Independence, A Time to Celebrate and to Reflect

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By Tony BestSpecial to the NNPA from the New York Carib News

For the hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans across the United States and the more than two million nationals of the Caribbean country in their birthplace, its a time of the year when most, if not all, of the stars in the countrys constellation are seemingly in harmony.

There is, for instance, the continuous stream of highly entertaining and informative activities across the United States and Canada, programs that stir joy and pride in the country and the Diaspora country befitting a people celebrating one of the most important chapters in their illustrious history.

Services of thanksgiving, flag raisings, fairs, concerts, town hall meetings, art exhibitions, private parties and elegant balls, all of which showcase the range of Jamaicas rich cultural heritage.

That explains why Jamaicans see the anniversary of their countrys march to sovereignty, membership in the United Nations, and a host of international and regional bodies as an opportunity to hail their native land.

Just the other day when Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of State in the countrys Ministry of Foreign affairs, came to New York to meet with Jamaicans to review the outcome of the recent Diaspora conference, she spoke about their love of country and commitment to its development.

And when Oliver Samuels, Jamaicas immensely popular comedian moderated an immigration seminar in Brooklyn less than a week ago, sponsored by the Jamaican Bar Association North East, he reminded his audience of the positive impact of Jamaicans on the United States, indeed wherever they settle.

If there is a hallmark of the Jamaican Diaspora it is the nationalism and the attachment to country, which places them among the leaders of the Caribbean Diaspora in North America.

Another important feature of Jamaican existence, according to P.J. Patterson, a former leader who served longer than any other Prime Minister, is the assertive character which he traced in an Emancipation Day message a few years ago to our forbearers, who fought for and eventually helped to win the release of 400,000 slaves in the 19th century.

The assertive character of Jamaica has never allowed us to sit idly by and allow that period of our history to be either forgotten or ignored, he went on. It is our solemn duty to secure the gains won by the invincibility of the human spirit against such great odds with passionate and loving care.The passion and love to which Patterson referred are reflected in the enthusiastic response to and involvement in independence celebrations. The more than $ 2 billion in remittances and other forms of support they provide to families and institutions back home tell a story of allegiance. The money goes straight into the hands of families who are striving to upgrade their standard of living and even in the worst of times of economic stagnation in the United States, Jamaicans ensure that those they left behind arent neglected and they certainly arent forgotten.

Little wonder, then, that the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations, routinely point out that the Diaspora remits almost $2 billion annually to Jamaica, making that flow of funds the largest single source of foreign exchange.

So, while successive governments in Kingston have been stepping up the fight against poverty at home, Jamaicans abroad arent sitting idly by.

Central to the independence celebrations in a place like New York is the annual church service which is to be held on Sunday at Brooklyns St. Gabriels Episcopal Church. Its expected to be a cheerful and joyous celebration, which would bring back memories of that historic day in August 1962 when the Union Jack, the symbol of British imperialism and colonialism, came down for the last time over the land and when the new nations flag fluttered in the breeze for the first time. It was in many ways a spring board to confront challenges inherent in assuming a new status of independence and sovereignty.

For the record, Jamaica has made significant social and economic strides since then. It has bolstered educational opportunities at all levels, especially secondary and tertiary; heightened child survival rates; almost conquered adult literacy; and opened up vast areas of previously inaccessible areas of the hinterland to modern development. Just as important, it has improved health facilities; lengthen life expectancy rates to heights that match those of many Eastern European states; and maintains faith in the rule of law.

But not everything has come up bright. Crime has mushroomed to the top of social ills, with one of the worlds leading homicide rates. Chronic economic ill-health remains a fact of life, sapping the confidence of many people at home in their countrys future. In addition, many sectors of its infrastructure cry out for rehabilitation. Around this time last year, Jamaica was emerging from a self-inflicted calamity, euphemistically called the Dudus Coke affair, a social tragedy that had an alleged drug king at its center. Dozens of people lost their lives. However, with Cokes extradition to the United States to face drug charges, killings have declined and the country is digging itself out of a hole.

Internationally, Jamaica has made and continues to make its mark, sitting on some of the highest international councils at the United Nations, the Organization of American States and other global organizations.

It has served on the U.N. Security Council, has chaired the Group of 77 Developing Countries and China; sat on numerous boards of key global institutions and agencies; and has contributed to the process of finding solutions to sensitive issues. And while it was making such strides, its production line of top shelf sports personalities, some of whom have even represented such countries as the United Kingdom, Canada, the U.S. and Italy continued unabated. The 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the exploits of Usain Bolt and other track and field stars have added additional emeralds to Jamaicas crown.

Then, there is its music and dance, especially reggae, which has put an indelible stamp on the global entertainment industry. .

Clearly, its most valuable assets -- its people at home and abroad; bauxite; vast tracks of arable land; beautiful beaches; picturesque landscape; mixed economy; and the nationalistic impulses of its citizens --give Jamaica much to celebrate at this time.

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