Dear Editor,
Some people are of the view that we have nothing to celebrate because they believe we are a failed state, financially and otherwise dependent. I choose to focus on the fact that we are a nation with great potential and we should not allow ourselves to be written off because we have got lost along the way.
After 51 years of Independence, are we truly a nation of "Out of Many One People" when there are some ethnic and religious groups that still feel marginalised? The blatant disregard for the nearly 10 per cent of Jamaicans who are not black at certain national events is repugnant, unacceptable and shameful.
Apart from Damian Marley and the revivalist performance, I left the not so grand Gala less patriotic than when I entered. I was disappointed beyond description to see the blatant exclusion of members of the Indian, Chinese and Jewish communities. It was frightening that this occurred hours after Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her Independence Day Message, encouraged us to 'ensure that every Jamaican is accorded respect and feels a sense of belonging to our society' and that we 'give full expression to the words of our motto as we celebrate the blending of our races and cultures and their contribution to nation building'. Unless it is that "Out of Many, One People" is reserved for special events, not including our Independence Day celebration.
The welfare of the nation's cultural heritage is being compromised in the name of selfish ambition and pan-Africanist agenda in the Ministry of Youth and Culture. This is a telling indictment about the unacceptable state of affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Culture. All this bacchanal about "use of technology" and the many individual musical performers had no place in a celebration of Jamaica 51 as an independent nation, that time could have otherwise been spent on multicultural performances from Jamaican-Indian dancers and Chinese Dragon dancers which was beautifully performed at Jamaica 50 Grand Gala.
The minister and ministry with responsibility for the preservation and promotion of all aspects of Jamaican culture must explain to the Jamaican people why the members of that community were excluded from the gala! We have a small multi-cultural society with citizens of various creeds, races and religious beliefs; this is no reason to neglect, disrespect and malign their contribution to nation building. When will we display tolerance and show respect for all who comprise our society: Jamaica 100? As a young multiracial Jamaican, I am offended and feel as though I do not belong here, as if this cannot be my place of choice to live, work, raise a family and possibly establish a business. I would appreciate a response from the Ministry of Culture.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Out of many, one?
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Some people are of the view that we have nothing to celebrate because they believe we are a failed state, financially and otherwise dependent. I choose to focus on the fact that we are a nation with great potential and we should not allow ourselves to be written off because we have got lost along the way.
After 51 years of Independence, are we truly a nation of "Out of Many One People" when there are some ethnic and religious groups that still feel marginalised? The blatant disregard for the nearly 10 per cent of Jamaicans who are not black at certain national events is repugnant, unacceptable and shameful.
Apart from Damian Marley and the revivalist performance, I left the not so grand Gala less patriotic than when I entered. I was disappointed beyond description to see the blatant exclusion of members of the Indian, Chinese and Jewish communities. It was frightening that this occurred hours after Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her Independence Day Message, encouraged us to 'ensure that every Jamaican is accorded respect and feels a sense of belonging to our society' and that we 'give full expression to the words of our motto as we celebrate the blending of our races and cultures and their contribution to nation building'. Unless it is that "Out of Many, One People" is reserved for special events, not including our Independence Day celebration.
The welfare of the nation's cultural heritage is being compromised in the name of selfish ambition and pan-Africanist agenda in the Ministry of Youth and Culture. This is a telling indictment about the unacceptable state of affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Culture. All this bacchanal about "use of technology" and the many individual musical performers had no place in a celebration of Jamaica 51 as an independent nation, that time could have otherwise been spent on multicultural performances from Jamaican-Indian dancers and Chinese Dragon dancers which was beautifully performed at Jamaica 50 Grand Gala.
The minister and ministry with responsibility for the preservation and promotion of all aspects of Jamaican culture must explain to the Jamaican people why the members of that community were excluded from the gala! We have a small multi-cultural society with citizens of various creeds, races and religious beliefs; this is no reason to neglect, disrespect and malign their contribution to nation building. When will we display tolerance and show respect for all who comprise our society: Jamaica 100? As a young multiracial Jamaican, I am offended and feel as though I do not belong here, as if this cannot be my place of choice to live, work, raise a family and possibly establish a business. I would appreciate a response from the Ministry of Culture.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Out of many, one?
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