WEAR YOUR JAMAICA COLOURS TODAY SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

6th August is celebrated as Independence Day in Jamaica. The country acquired its independence from the British colonial powers on 6th August 1962 after years of political subjugation. Initially a Spanish territory, Jamaica was soon taken over by the British in the 17th century.

In the ancient past Jamaica was known as 'Xaymaca' which when literally translated means �Land of Wood and Water� or the �Land of Springs�. Christopher Columbus landed on the island and proclaimed it as a territory of Spain.

In the 17th century Jamaica came under the control of the British following an expedition by General Robert Venables and Admiral Sir William Penn. The Spanish were overthrown by a strong British force that established its control over the island. In a span of a couple of centuries, the conflict between the colonizers and the colonized was in its extreme. Jamaica was made a Crown Colony on 1st August 1834. Jamaica managed to acquire a certain degree of political autonomy in 1940s. Almost a decade later, it finally gained independence on August 6, 1962. The country is now a member of the British Commonwealth.

Independence Day celebrations in Jamaica include a gala parade in Kingston where the participants dress themselves up in ethnic costumes representing the various aspects of the country�s cultural heritage. Music and dance are an integral part of the life of Jamaicans and therefore an indispensable part of Independence Day celebrations as well. However, amidst this merriment, they do not forget to pay homage to the people who played an important role in achieving this independence.

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I am so glad that we siezed the opportunity for self-government 47 years ago, and have been basking in this years celebration since last Thursday in my area.
Last Saturday, we attended the "Taste of Hartford" in downtown Hartford, CT on the waterfront. A celebration of food and music from almost all the Carribean countries. It was good and all seemed to have a great time.
Two nights ago, (Tuesday) I drove back down to Hartford, CT where I met with a few "distinguished" associates, to attended the "Jamaica Night" celebrations at the West Indian Club. The celebration continues throughout the weekend with a grand Parade (pagent of bands, drums, dancing girls, various west Indian groups) through the streets of Hartford.

With all that though, I can't help but wonder...Beyond the right to our claim of "total" self-government and the right to "determine our own destiny" as a country (??) under the declaration of Independence, I can't help but think what many Jamaicans have been saying over the din of the reggae music, the clinking and clanking of the glasses of Wray and Nephew White rum, and Red Stripe beer bottles...
What have we achieve in all these years?

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True loves comes quietly without fanfare or flashing lights. If you hear bells, go get your ears checked.

Would we have been better off or (worst off )if we had opted to remain as a British Overseas Territory like that of Bermuda, Cayman or any of the other 14 BOTs? Or could we have achieved a status under the protectorate of the Kingdom of Netherlands, like the island of Aruba?
Similar to the reaction that was voiced last Tuesday night at the West Indian club, many will quickly reply with an angry rebuke to those of us who would as much as DARE to even entertain such blasphemous thoughts. Lucky for me, I was in the company of a few Jamaican natives of knowledge and eloguences who offered some really enlightening and compelling (though diverse) opinions, that made for a delectable conversations. There was one attorney, someone from the Hartford local government, three "old timers" who came here over 50 years ago on the Farm Workers program, a nurse, two business entrepunuer, a low ranking (but knowledgable) member of the current jamaican government who was visiting from jamaica, and a few "listeners" like myself. All had their own spin on where we are today as a country (jamaica, that is) and where we could and should have been. All well meaning Jamaicans, who today, would have liked to see a massive improvement in Jamaica in terms of Law and Order, economic maturity and overall social upliftment. Though the opinions ran from one extreme to another, they all agreed on a singular point: Jamaica isn't today, where it should be and it/we should have been in a better position socio-economically than we are today .

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True loves comes quietly without fanfare or flashing lights. If you hear bells, go get your ears checked.

We all care for this nation so much but have varrying views on what we should have and shouldn't have done in the last 47 years since we grew wings and flew from the nest of the british empire.

Personally, I am not politicially nor economically savvy enough to offer any intellectual views that would serve any meaningful purpose in that respect. I am as dumb to governmental and socio-economical solutions as they come. But still...in my dimmed and politically uneducated view, I still can't help but apologetically wonder...
Beyond the pomps and pride of achieving the Independence "brand label", as we don our T-Shirts, belts, hats and flags bedecked with our Jamaican colors...As we wind down our car windows, crank up the volumes on the radio and permeate the air with the blast of reggae and calypso music, its only fair that we face our collective conscience and ask ourselves....
What have we achieved in the last 47 years and what are we really celebrating?

Yes, I obviously do have mixed feelings and am still somewhat perplexed. But regardless of the answer that we each derive, lets all still raise our glasses and beer bottles as we mark another milestone in the Independence of our beloved island home. And not least of all, let's not forget the blood,sweat and tears shed by those who so many years ago, had the vision, the will and determination to see it through> People like Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley. Georgle William Gordon, Marcus garvey, Paul Bogle, Sam Sharpe, Cudjoe, Nanny of the Maroons and many, many other unsung patriots well before during and after, who fought and died , in defiance and detrmination to lay the groundwork so that we can today jump, wave our flags inna di air an' celebrate this occasion.

One Love

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True loves comes quietly without fanfare or flashing lights. If you hear bells, go get your ears checked.

Happy Birthday Jamaica! I celebrated 2 weeks ago cause thats when they could book Jamaica day!

Happy Independance day Jamaica!!!

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