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It wasn’t long ago in Jamaica’s journey, that children were taught about the 1655 British expedition, led by the valiant Admiral, Sir William Penn, and General Robert Venables, that ended Spanish rule in Jamaica and resulted in the colonization of the island by the British. Movies and books depicted the epic capture of the plundering buccaneers and privateers who pillaged the Taino Indians and used the island as their base for wrongdoings.
The replacement of the Union Jack on August 6, 1962, by the green, gold, and black flag was a chance to create a proud country of people with independent minds, philosophy, and political policies. The fight for independence in Jamaica, however, did not start in 1962, but through the many previous riots and rebellions for freedom since the day, slaves landed on the island. The Baptist War, also known as the Sam Sharpe Rebellion; the Morant Bay Rebellion by Paul Bogle; Tacky’s War, or Tacky’s Rebellion was an uprising of Akan slaves (then referred to as Coromantee) led by Tacky; and the first Maroon War led by Nanny, are just some of the movements towards an independent Jamaica. August 6, 1962, was the culmination of the quest for freedom.
Jamaicans’ fight for justice throughout history is noted. Being one of the first to fight against apartheid in South Africa in recent years, Jamaica has always been at the forefront of causes for the underdogs. Today, however, we are faced with our own internal issues. Jamaica leads the rest of the Caribbean and most of the world with the highest crime rate. It is well known that the state of high crime sits atop the minds of Diaspora individuals who continue to ask the question: why is crime this high? Others are asking; are we still fighting for freedom? The fight against persecution, injustice, and the fight for freedom is in our DNA. However, we are Jamaicans, the best and most formidable one can find on the planet. We can achieve anything we put our minds to.
Let us, on this date, August 6, 2021, commit to lifting our hearts and our minds, to live for each other, and fight for (vs against) each other, as Daddy Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle, Nanny and Tacky did before us. Let’s remember the meaning of the black, green, and gold.
Happy Independence Day!
Leo Gilling
Chairman, JDTAN P.S. On this celebration of our country’s 59th Independence, we take a moment to deliver an offering of inspiration. The Jamaica Diaspora Youth Leadership Taskforce chaired by Scherie Murray partnered with Jonathan Roberts of Creavia, a digital agency studio in Jamaica and Chris Daley of Digital2grow and a great volunteer team to create a video celebrating a digital independence, Get on board Every Yardie, a special message to Jamaicans everywhere. All the artists who have worked on this project are final year students at Edna Manley School of Visual Arts. The gift can be found by clicking this link. Please share it and even better, become a Yardie that has gotten on board to make the future of Jamaica shine even more glorious.
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The Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) is a network of sectoral focused Diaspora Taskforces with members across 23 countries. Taskforces have been operating for the past seven years as a collaborative approach to engage, and mobilize the Jamaican Diaspora to join forces and support Jamaica in achieving Jamaica Vision 2030 and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.) For more information visit www.jdtan.org. To join a Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce and get engaged go to joinataskforce.jdtan.org
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