Yes Rastafari people, Greetings… I n I know that Jamaica, Trinidad and a few more Caribbean countries celebrate 50 yrs of Independence this year. We also know that our history in the west as a people has been violent and oppressive, and that we should examine and assess what it is that people are being festive about.
I personally was born in Jamaica; I love my native home, my people and my culture, what I n I don’t love is the corruption and manipulation of the populous by corporate installed governments with hidden agendas. Should we celebrate getting a harder task master than the previous one?
In the last 50 yrs Jamaica’s literacy rate has plummeted, health care is dismal, unemployment is out of control, and private sector business has been on a steady decline, and the JA dollar…well you know. Our track and field prowess on the world stage is often overshadowed by a seemingly violent society of gangsters and thieves with government officials as the educated leaders of the garrisons’ as they are now called. Corruption on the highest level is the accepted way of life on the Island in the sun. The future generations of youth lack the education and opportunity to excel, leaving them little equitable choices for the future. Shall we overlook all these things because we live abroad, even though we face the same things in our new places of residence? Over the years Rastafari has contributed so much to the music, arts, culture and lifestyle of Jamaica, while being unrecognized and ignored by the central government. It seems strange how the tourist board uses our music and imagery to lure visitors to the Island. The reality of the situation is the same for poor people of Jamaica, unrecognized and ignored, But Rastafari always defend the poor.
I an I celebrate over 500 yrs of surviving the hardships and brutality, of being robbed and cheated and still standing strong as the children of slaves, of leading the Diaspora in the fight for equal rights and justice and recognizing our identity as Africans of noble heritage, being who we are and not what Eurocentric’s label us to be. Jamaicans should be active in letting the government know how dissatisfied they are in the direction that they have taken the country these last 50 yrs, with our educated leaders selling us out for shekels and pieces of silver, while they live in high security mansions, avoiding everyday people in their self indulgent Hollywood lifestyles.
Focusing on Jamaica here is not about forgetting the rest of the Caricom, but outside of Haiti our situation is the most drastic example of Eurocentric globalization. Trinidad for example, is oil rich and has one of the highest literacy rates not only in the west but internationally. Yet they now suffer an increasing crime wave because of government negligence and greed. Tourism is not going to save the day for anyone but these foreign hotel and resort investors. What happen a yard is destine to happen to other Islands, un less people wake up, America’s interest in the Caribbean is for America’s benefit…seen.
I man recently read an article at this web address, ( Jamaicans.com) yes I, a very watered down version of the political history in the last 50 yrs….ridiculous yes, but these are the things that the so called intellects put forward to the public, all these things were done for our own good and are a process still in the works…Yea Right!
As stated before, the progress that Jamaican people have made in the last 500 yrs, was not because of the governments, but by the grace of the Most High and the resilience, hard work and determination of the mixed multitude of heritages (out of many one people) that make up the Jamaican nation. That is what makes me proud to be a Jamaican, not 50 yrs of roast bread fruit leadership.
For these few words I give thanks
Pablo Nap-T
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”
― Haile Selassie I
Haile Selassie defied expectations of the Jamaican authorities, and never rebuked the Rastafari for their belief in him as the returned Christ. Instead, he presented the movement’s faithful elders with gold medallions – the only recipients of such an honor on this visit.
Jamaican Gleaner archives
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33: 12