Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Independence Day? What?


Booyah!!! Now that's what I call a freaking Independence Day; sadly however that is not the independence day we are here to talk about. Just recently many Jamaicans celebrated their day of Independence of Jamaica succeeding from the motherland of England, and becoming recognized as its own individual nation. Jamaica gained independence on August 6, 1962, remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. So now every year people celebrate the free holiday they get under the guise of independence day, and yet honestly I can say its a mere handful of people I see actively supporting and celebrating what this day should mean. Oh I forgot to welcome you; so welcome to another random Monday blog; today's blog isn't so much of a rant but more an open discussion that I want to have with those few devout readers I have....

Jamaica in its infinite wisdom, in my humble opinion did one of the stupidest things in its history and gained independence, essentially turning its back on England and all it had to offer. Well look where it's gotten us now...? High crime rate, bad global view, a failing economy; granted when things started out it was good, and we did pretty decent for ourselves; but as with most things in life it couldn't stand up to the test of time. This leads me to my central thought 'was our so called independence from England really necessary and worthwhile'? Not to mention the varying contrast of comparing, lets say America's Independence Day with Jamaica's Independence day. 


You can clearly see the vast difference in importance and purpose; from the way it is celebrated to the importance of what that day signifies for the country as a whole being. Honestly maybe i'm being biased because I lack a full understanding of the day and what it has become so I put the question to you the reader; if you happen to be Jamaican "What Are Your Views On What Independence Day means in this day and age?" and if you aren't Jamaican feel free to comment your thoughts in relation to your own Independence Day celebration whatever your nationality may be. Personally I haven't felt much of a sense of togetherness in celebration for pride of being a Jamaican in a long time; probably not since this song was popular...




13 comments

Anonymous
August 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM

I support you in your views, I don't know if our so called independence was a wise choice. Jamaica deprived itself of a bright future.

August 9, 2011 at 12:01 PM

You know, it's pretty disappointing and disheartening to know our country have become nothing more that a place harvesting outer country investors and nothing to really show after all these years what our purpose of gaining Independence in the first place.

It's one thing to want independence and I guess at the time it was revolutionizing thing to do, to be free? but with nothing to show for it. However I shouldn't be so harsh into saying nothing to show cause we do have athletes to represent us? and Bob Marley but then again nothing as a nation to show the world or to offer.

The sad part of this whole thing is that Jamaica can and do have the potential and resources to be better as a nation, economy wise but as much as we say we take pride and so forth in our country, we do nothing for it as a people. With our problem deteriorating our country over the years it is hard to start back but I don't think it's impossible. As long as government can keep us poverty stricken and we keep blaming government only for our problems, the future is looking very dark. It is sad that I do hope England would take us back and in this time may run under new leadership of a different government.

August 9, 2011 at 12:06 PM

Also I have to say, with all that I have said, I do love my country and hold pride to know mi a Jamaican. There is good here, love, culture is one of a kind. Land of Wood and Water!! we have rivers while other ppl looking for water from miles. We have trees and fruits...really a blessed little Island, if only they knew.

August 9, 2011 at 12:28 PM

indeed Shinig4miMJ really bright future for sure. Grey1 i agree that we have the potential because technically we are also known to be hardworking ppl and maybe if we could unify for that purpose just like we did for world cup qualifying then maybe we could fix the problem for the next generation to come. but is it already too little too late...?

August 9, 2011 at 1:12 PM

Funny that you wrote whats been on my mind all wkend long, I personally love love LOVE jamaica, happy i was born here, one of the most beautiful places in all over the world to me, yes we av our weak moments bt like everywhere else we jus living in sin just like them, but i crack a joke the other day if we could sell jamaica for $100 to england i wud give up this independence, government ere is a major let dwn, security (popo) dem worst dan anyting i can see so far, its jus a big open land for anyting to happen, we need order and leaders to really run this place, saturday i was watching the 1st independence day celebration and i can tell u it was big and awesome n the whole jamaica was excited over the fact, now ppl jus seh oh i got a day off frm work can guh chill out n dats it for independence nothing more to them. Still love my home land but hope things get better in the future

Chu ^_^ Renie

August 9, 2011 at 1:50 PM

i hear you Renie. i was thinking same tht back in the day what my mom told me they did for independence day is so much more grandious than what happens nowadays. hell she got a special green tin cup at school back in the day and still has it to this day cause of its significance to her. not seeing much of anyone else these days that shares that passion for the Independence of the country so really one has to ask why should I care at this point if thurs nothing of value to really show for it for my generation....?

August 10, 2011 at 7:27 PM

I think if Jamaica wasn't independent we would have more technological advancements that UK has.

Neesy
August 11, 2011 at 11:20 PM

i love jamaica n will forever support it but jamaica is not like before n im disappointed in what it has become and what it could have been. its sad that thats all ppl are thinking when independence just for a day off at work. ohh well so it go n fyi i love that song rise up.

August 12, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Everything situation has a seed of opportunity to it. While I agree that we haven't made much of the opportunity and to a great degree forgot the meaning of the day, think of it this way: If we remained where we were, there wouldn't be a Bob Marley, A Louise Bennett, Dancehall, reggae among other things would have no ground to stand on. The same situation we curse is the same situation that feeds our creative and ingenious ways, and yes also the devious ways. It's easy to be nostalgic and regretful however there is a pride in me that wouldn't want it to be British run country. However hard it is to live through certain situations here it is this curse that is also a blessing. The smallest island with the biggest and most seductive Aura where even when things are way shitty the world believes Paradise is here, something mystical bro, that's what it is.

August 12, 2011 at 11:31 AM

true thing that still an still i guess. not gonna know how good or bad it cud have been under British rule so might as well be grateful for the ounce of goodness we have to show thru all the hardships.

August 12, 2011 at 1:41 PM

Rion...I think Jamaica gaining independence is a wonderful thing. The major heartache is just with the assholes that running it. And i can safely say that we are neck deep with these people. everybody just want to satisfy themselves first and foremost. Seriously.....if these people just put Jcans first, Jamaica second.....and themselves last, this place would be the true paradise it should be.

On a positive note. Independence day happens to be my birthday too. :-)

August 12, 2011 at 1:46 PM

lol i was waiting for tht plug about ur bday....lol
but yea i guess most of it is the leaders but we as a ppl for the majority aren't blameless in our mentality and how we approach and deal with life and situations that arise as a whole.

August 12, 2011 at 10:06 PM

poll on Do You Do A Good Job Of Celebrating The Importance Of Independence Day? ended with 5 votes for no

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