Why It’s Easy To Miss Jamaica…Or Not
I miss Jamaica. Only 2 days back in Panama, and I can’t wait to return home again. There’s just something about Jamaica that causes both joy and sorrow at the same time. Nevertheless, I miss it.
It’s easy to miss Jamaica because…
…my family, friends and loved ones are there. I miss the loud passionate debates, boisterous laughter at the recounting of the recent General Election ‘sayings’, and the close intimate chats with those you hold dear.
….of my disconnection from the best of Jamaica Baptist happenings, and colleagues in ministry.
….of the Digicel Rising Stars song competition which has the power to elicit such heated arguments and fierce loyalties, cuss outs, door slamming and caustic commentary. What’s funny about that? You need a Jamaican sense of humour to understand.
….of the music and dance moves. Creative Jamaicans of the popular culture leanings come up with different dance moves each month. Where else would you find a dance called “Popeye” for heaven’s sake? And where else would you find grown men doing the weirdest and effeminate steps (with confidence)? All very interesting to watch and having 2 left feet will not prevent you from being entertained.
…Jamaicans ‘take serious ting make joke’ including politicians and their tantrums, also prophets and religious prophecies that go belly up. When last have you ever heard of ‘prophets’ say sorry for being wrong?
Take for instance the recent declaration from Rev. Dr. Phillip Phinn of Jamaica’s (self-appointed) Prophetic Movement that Former Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller’s PNP would win the recently held General Elections. Well, the JLP won the elections and Bruce Golding is the new Prime Minister of Jamaica. The Jamaica Gleaner published today, the public apology made by a spokesman of the Prophetic Movement. He is reported as saying that,
…….he regretted the pain, anxiety, misunderstanding and embarrassment that the open and antagonistic debates surrounding the prophetic declarations had caused. “We acknowledge that the words were given as irrevocable dictates from God without conditional consequences,”
Huh?
….of the pulsing energy, the vibes that you feel all around you. Although, I heard that a Canadian ‘doctor’ has recommended that the Government place Valium in the national water supply to make Jamaicans less aggressive. I thought this was a joke until I realized I had missed the story in the Gleaner see ‘Spike Drinking Water to Reduce Violence’
Is this ‘doctor’ on Valium or something?
I miss Jamaica but I know that it is not a malady that strikes everyone who leaves. Some are extremely happy to see the warm Caribbean sea disappear behind them. And on this particular trip, I could also see why.
The brother of the bride whose wedding I attended was shot just days earlier. He trying to protect her. Violent crimes send many Jamaicans scurrying for perceived safer havens. It also encourages the kind of ignorance expressed by the ‘doctor’ mentioned earlier with that Valium story.
The level of poverty in Jamaica is far less than, and quite different to, that of Panama. However, poverty is another factor which contributes to the numbers of fleeing Jamaicans who continue to flock places like America, UK and Canada looking for the ‘better-life’.
There wouldn’t be enough space in major towns to hold returning residents of Jamaica, if we could control the levels of crime, reduce poverty and improve the general economic condition of Jamaicans.
And yet, I miss Jamaica with all its challenges, none of which are unique to us. We do however have our own unique way of dealing with it.
Until,
Marvia
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