Young Nation

Recently, I have been thinking alot about the age of Jamaica's and other Caribbean countries' independence. The fact is, my parents are as old as Jamaica. Keep in mind that the only Caribbean countries to gain independence before Jamaica were Haiti and Cuba respectively and therefore my parents are older than most of the independent countries in the Caribbean. To put this in perspective, my grandparents (whom I don't exactly consider “old”) were born in colonial Jamaica. They knew a Jamaica that had no national anthem (separate from “God save the Queen”), no national emblems and a no national stadium (at the time the football team played at Sabina park).

The differences that separate that Jamaica from the one I now know amaze me. In the days approaching independence, life may not have been significantly different from those that followed, but the idea that my identity as a Jamaican was tied to that of the British Empire is difficult to imagine. When I was younger and first learning the history of Jamaica and our various national symbols, I always thought of them as far away figures for whom I should show respect and reverence. I never truly understand what August 6^th 1962 meant or how close that day really was. Never did I think that my parents could have known, or had relationships with national heros like Alexander Bustamante or Norman Manley. Bustamante passed away only 10 years before my birth! Even Michael Manley-Jamaica's 4^th Prime Minister and son of Norman Manley - a politician I have great admiration for passed away in 1997 when I was nine years old. Contrast this with Abraham Lincoln's signing of the declaration of independence some two hundred and thirty-three years ago. The difference in scales are completely surreal to me, and yet I am sure that there are of my peers, who like me, never thought about it in this way.

What should all of this mean for me or young Jamaica? I grew up comfortable in the blanket of my home, the warmth of the sun (which I miss greatly) and a complacent sense of pride that came from only knowing Jamaica as an independent nation. I never had to fight for anything related to Jamaica's nationhood. Yet, like many, I cuss, quarrel and complain about the many shortcomings and inadequacies of the country and those who lead it. We have often dismissed politics and crime as things completely out of our control. “Cah boda with dem and di politricks. It too corrupt,” is a sentiment all too familiar.

I live in a nation crippled by crime and an education system that fails. But, I also live in a nation filled with people of immense pride. Our unique and unwavering support for the victor contrasts our soft cheers for those not as successful. There is nothing like the “BOOM!” that rings out in the stadium towards the end of the National Anthem. We are a laid back people many of whom are familiar with what it means to struggle. We work hard but definitely know how to enjoy ourselves. Never you cross a yardie though! We are often quick to anger and slow to forget, always ready for an argument. A people of African, Asian, Indian and European influence. We really are “Out of many one people.” This is my home – “Jamaica Land I love.”

Still, I ask the question: what should my young country's history mean to me? I spent the last six months trying to find an answer. Absorbing as much information and history as I could find. I spent way too much money on books(some of which I haven't finished reading yet). I mined the brains and memories of my parents, grandmothers, relatives and anyone else who I thought could share with me the truth about my home; the truth that extends beyond Kingston, Mobay and Ochi, sessions, the latest dances and Kartel VS Alliance clashes. I wanted to know about the Jamaica that was and how the one I know came to be.

I continue to search still and find I have more questions than answers even now. I have come to realize that we as a people do not write enough and I believe my generation does not know enough about ourselves and our history. So, we complain and quarrel about what isn't and what it should be but we don't understand that Jamaica is still a young project and is very much in need of our help. We don't realize that our national heroes, architects of our nation, gave to us a basic design of an unfinished project.

In my short time of searching Jamaica's youth is the one truth that I have come to understand. There is still much work to be done and it is our responsibility to ensure it happens. We have to ask more of those in change, and of ourselves. Jamaica is still developing and trying to establish her place in the world, and the people hold an important part in crafting this image. This is what I believe it means to people of a young nation such as Jamaica.

I may have said a few things here that others disagree with, and it may simply be my sheltering and ignorance that shielded me from this reality, but I don't believe anyone can deny its' legitimacy. There is still much work that needs to be done.