Dear Editor,
This weekend, I was at a birthday party for a Jamaican residing in the USA. It was fabulous....but I digress. Amidst the toasts and tributes and thank yous, the guest of honour took the time at his birthday party to encourage his guests, when next the opportunity came, to "vote for Tessanne".
It got me thinking. So often, we quip about the "Chinese way". We laugh about how "Chiney man always help each other", and in criticism articulate how Jamaicans operate in the opposite way; tearing each other down and fighting against each other. Thoughts and lyrics and conversations are riddled with vivid examples of "bad mind" one Jamaican to another.
The debate has been rife since The Voice began -- and remains unresolved -- about whether or not telephone votes from Jamaica count. And, not knowing whether or not they do, at the risk of losing money weekly and voting in vain, Jamaicans at home take the time and make the effort to vote for our "Chinita Goodaz" (brilliant alias Dutty Berry)...just in case it will help.
Jamaicans abroad have mobilised like we never knew possible. Not since the Olympics have we all rallied together around one nationalistic symbol. This, as far as I can remember, has been the biggest test that has required Jamaicans to actively demonstrate their love for not just Tessanne, but for Jamaica. And week after week, we are stepping up to the plate.
I am proud that The Voice has exposed America to the Jamaica we love and Tessanne's Jamaican spirit that makes our people loved. And I'm moved by the weekly messages I get from friends reminding me to vote. I love that people have changed their Facebook profile pictures to bread and butter, and I enjoy seeing the Twitter flood of celebration with every round she moves on.
I worry less and less each results show, because I believe in Tessanne and, more importantly, I believe in our ability to give her the support that she needs. On Tuesday nights when Carson says "America saved Tessanne Chin" I chuckle to myself and think: Oh, the irony, because perhaps it is Tessanne Chin that has saved Jamaica.
Patria-Kaye Aarons
findpatria@yahoo.com
Tessanne is our voice
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This weekend, I was at a birthday party for a Jamaican residing in the USA. It was fabulous....but I digress. Amidst the toasts and tributes and thank yous, the guest of honour took the time at his birthday party to encourage his guests, when next the opportunity came, to "vote for Tessanne".
It got me thinking. So often, we quip about the "Chinese way". We laugh about how "Chiney man always help each other", and in criticism articulate how Jamaicans operate in the opposite way; tearing each other down and fighting against each other. Thoughts and lyrics and conversations are riddled with vivid examples of "bad mind" one Jamaican to another.
The debate has been rife since The Voice began -- and remains unresolved -- about whether or not telephone votes from Jamaica count. And, not knowing whether or not they do, at the risk of losing money weekly and voting in vain, Jamaicans at home take the time and make the effort to vote for our "Chinita Goodaz" (brilliant alias Dutty Berry)...just in case it will help.
Jamaicans abroad have mobilised like we never knew possible. Not since the Olympics have we all rallied together around one nationalistic symbol. This, as far as I can remember, has been the biggest test that has required Jamaicans to actively demonstrate their love for not just Tessanne, but for Jamaica. And week after week, we are stepping up to the plate.
I am proud that The Voice has exposed America to the Jamaica we love and Tessanne's Jamaican spirit that makes our people loved. And I'm moved by the weekly messages I get from friends reminding me to vote. I love that people have changed their Facebook profile pictures to bread and butter, and I enjoy seeing the Twitter flood of celebration with every round she moves on.
I worry less and less each results show, because I believe in Tessanne and, more importantly, I believe in our ability to give her the support that she needs. On Tuesday nights when Carson says "America saved Tessanne Chin" I chuckle to myself and think: Oh, the irony, because perhaps it is Tessanne Chin that has saved Jamaica.
Patria-Kaye Aarons
findpatria@yahoo.com
Tessanne is our voice
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