By: Winston Barnes
South Florida – Callers to our public affairs programme (Open Line on WAVS 1170 AM) these last couple of days pondered certain realities about Jamaica’s independence with interesting responses and reactions.
The usual, what has Jamaica accomplished in fifty three years was repeated and debated a bit with some callers becoming impatient with others. The next day, one caller asked, “What has Marcus Garvey done for Jamaica”? I am yet to decide if the question was mischievous or malicious, or the result of genuine ignorance.
These things I am sure about, however; for a nation of people who demand that the rest of the world stand up and listen when they speak. Jamaicans appear to know little of themselves as a people. Such a tragedy! And claiming we don’t know because certain things were not taught in school does not even qualify as an excuse.
If you are going to laud Jamaica over everyone’s head, the least you should do is know about your country. And hugging up your flag is not even a start. What is the point if we have no clue what the colours in the flag symbolize? Or the fact that Rastafari brethren wanted red included in the flag. Or who wrote the national anthem.
In other words, as we find fault with what the government has not done in fifty three years, we as individuals need to also ask ourselves what have we done to even learn about Jamaica?
Host – “Open Line” WAVS 1170AM
Photo Credit: Leroy “Dreamy” Riley
Voice your opinion on the “Open Line” with Winston Barnes daily on WAVS 1170AM or listen on-line www.wavs1170am.com
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