.... or rather... since we have forgotten or ... didn't know in the first place.
Everyone is free to express opinions regarding Jamaica's condition and suggest ways that it can be improved. This holds wherever one is located or whatever one's station in life may be.
The notion that Jamaicans residing outside of the country should be inhibited from proposing solutions to problems or whose opinions are somehow of lesser importance to others is ridiculous.
This notion displays a lack of understanding of history and Jamaica's reality of transnationalism. Jamaica is borderless. Jamaica represents an idea.. a culture.. a way of life.
When Jamaica cries, those residing in Jamaica feel it the hardest... but Jamaicans everywhere cry as well.
Two simple examples:
We forget that Jamaicans residing in New York City in the 1930's sparked the self government movement which led later to independence for Jamaica.
New York based Jamaicans through their organization the Jamaica Progressive League mainly provided the inspiration, energy and early material support for that movement.
Those unsung heroes were themselves inspired by the greatest Jamaican, Marcus Garvey, whose views were suffocated by Jamaica's ruling elites but found traction among, firstly Jamaicans, then many others in that same New York City.
Traction to point where Garvey's influence went global.. inspiring the freedom movement in Africa and Africans everywhere.
Often people outside a particular situation are able to be objective, clear headed and therefore able to think through problems.. better than those consumed with fighting the raging fires.
We all have this experience with our friends no doubt.
That's what friends (and fellow Jamaicans) are for.
Historian, you would do well to ponder that.
Everyone is free to express opinions regarding Jamaica's condition and suggest ways that it can be improved. This holds wherever one is located or whatever one's station in life may be.
The notion that Jamaicans residing outside of the country should be inhibited from proposing solutions to problems or whose opinions are somehow of lesser importance to others is ridiculous.
This notion displays a lack of understanding of history and Jamaica's reality of transnationalism. Jamaica is borderless. Jamaica represents an idea.. a culture.. a way of life.
When Jamaica cries, those residing in Jamaica feel it the hardest... but Jamaicans everywhere cry as well.
Two simple examples:
We forget that Jamaicans residing in New York City in the 1930's sparked the self government movement which led later to independence for Jamaica.
New York based Jamaicans through their organization the Jamaica Progressive League mainly provided the inspiration, energy and early material support for that movement.
Those unsung heroes were themselves inspired by the greatest Jamaican, Marcus Garvey, whose views were suffocated by Jamaica's ruling elites but found traction among, firstly Jamaicans, then many others in that same New York City.
Traction to point where Garvey's influence went global.. inspiring the freedom movement in Africa and Africans everywhere.
Often people outside a particular situation are able to be objective, clear headed and therefore able to think through problems.. better than those consumed with fighting the raging fires.
We all have this experience with our friends no doubt.
That's what friends (and fellow Jamaicans) are for.
Historian, you would do well to ponder that.
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