Jamaica 60 Old Harbour celebrations: A real statement of intent

The unmistakable black, green and gold colours that has so defined Jamaicans the world over formed a thematic scheme that created a euphoric atmosphere not often seen here in the southwest of this Jamaican parish.

For the last two months a concerted effort led by the Old Harbour Zone Cultural Committee in collaboration with the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce stirred a response to nationhood that was remarkable in and of itself and even moreso given the limited time the crew had to successfully stage two distinct events that evoked a deep sense of national pride.

The team of Treacha Reid, Monica Daley, Karlean Ellis, Cpl William Graham and others must be commended for having the will to put this together though time was not in their favour. The businesses that stepped forward at short notice to support in cash and/or kind should be commended as they bought into a vision that has the possibility to trigger a seismic shift towards improving the socio-economic landscape of the fastest growing town in this country.

Coming out of a traumatic global health pandemic the staging of a flag-raising ceremony and float parade provided more than a breath of fresh air. We simply wanted to just be ourselves, to breathe again and not only get back to normal but to act normal. We want to sing and dance and have a glorious time because to many of us covid-19 robbed us not only of our time but our sanity as well.

It was a moment to savour for those of us who participated in these two events or witnessed it from the sidewalks and online. Some admitted to being brought to tears witnessing the national flag being hoisted aloft on the pole in front of the Old Harbour Police Station in the middle of the town square, a profound and timely reminder to reflect on our journey to 60 years of independence as well as our struggles as a people who broke the shackles of slavery in 1838. What was also laudable is the fact that these events were done at the community level and by people from within the communities of Old Harbour. It is a real statement of intent that we must endeavor to preserve and improve upon.

It is imperative as we go forward, that the children of the community are involved in the process in various capacities so that the baton is passed unto the next generation without any undue difficulties.

The ultimate goal must be to have a week of activities that the entire community, home and abroad, anticipates with fervor. Our independence celebrations must also reflect in the truest sense of the words in our motto: Out of Many One People. Yes, our African heritage must be front and centre in everything we do, but we must also recognize the role of our fellow Jamaicans of Indian, Chinese and other ethnic minorities.  It is also very important that we tell stories of how we evolve as a people at the community level, as very, very few people are aware of the history of Old Harbour and its evolution to what it is today. Only a minute group of us are knowledgeable enough to speak about the history of one of the oldest harbours in the English-speaking Caribbean; that communities like Old Harbour Bay is not just the largest fishing village in Jamaica, but amongst the oldest civilized communities predating the arrival of Christopher Columbus; and that Colbeck, Bois Content, Bodles, Spring Village are districts more than three centuries old. Yes, the stories of our communities must be told because the liberation of a people should not be a symbolic event on a calendar but a process that perpetually reignites the desire within to preserve a legacy that our ancestors fought so gallantly to achieve.

This freedom handed down to us by our ancestors gave us a kind of peace of mind and social harmony that is severely under threat today. With each passing day we continue to slide down a slippery slope into an abyss of crime and violence and social decadence of unimaginable proportions.

However, the real catalyst for Old Harbour may very well exist within the independence celebrations that can reset a mindset that insist we must change for better and bury negative forces into oblivion.

For like in Eric Donaldson’s epic festival song, Land of My Birth, “the progress you make my friend is not always how rich you are”.