The National Motto: Which “Jamaican” Are You?

In Jamaica we still seem to be preoccupied with who is “Jamaica white”, “red”, “brown brown”, “brown”, “dark brown”, “black” and “black black”. 

Three things in my opinion are mainly responsible for this continued confusion shrouded and clouded in an undercurrent of racism and classism.

A constant deficiency in the equal distribution of first class education to all, a lack of actual physical international exposure through travels of resident citizens, and a seeming refusal in some quarters to graduate from history class without thinking they’ve abandoned the subject.  In some instances it has required a trip OUTSIDE of Jamaica for many who thought they were really “white” to be corrected. 

The national motto, “Out of many, ONE people” seems to be in need of serious revision, since conveniently we still pick and choose occasions to talk about “we as black people”, “these brown people” and all the rest, while “we as Jamaicans” is also used for appropriate moments.  The more approved minds like to point to statistics which say the majority of Jamaicans are black, and as such, express a louder voice.  So are we suggesting that Jamaicans who have DARK complexion are any more entitled to gain ANY benefit within society?  When certain statements are made and the complexion of the majority is used as a justification in THIS Jamaica they should be cut down hastily like a ready cane field.

So are we suggesting that Jamaicans who have DARK complexion are any more entitled to gain ANY benefit within society?  When certain statements are made and the complexion of the majority is used as a justification in THIS Jamaica they should be cut down hastily like a ready cane field.

I still vividly recall what I saw and heard years ago at a political meeting as a very sad moment in Jamaica’s post-independent history. The former prime minister Percival Noel James Patterson declared upon his rise to top leadership that it was “black man time now”.  The many meanings did not escape me.  Many will simply seek to dismiss it as a political ploy used to hype the masses…and it actually worked. However, that statement was racist in utterance, severely divisive, rooted and grounded on the basis of race and complexion. Were all the other previous leaders white?  Or is it that he believed he was ‘more black’ than the rest?  Or the ‘real black’?  Added to the already distasteful remark (which became a saying used by many to disrespect persons of a lighter complexion) came a suggestion that if he came off the platform and stood in the crowd it would be hard to differentiate, since he would naturally blend and fit. 

However, that statement was racist in utterance, severely divisive, rooted and grounded on the basis of race and complexion. Were all the other previous leaders white?  Or is it that he believed he was ‘more black’ than the rest?  Or the ‘real black’?  Added to the already distasteful remark (which became a saying used by many to disrespect persons of a lighter complexion) came a suggestion that if he came off the platform and stood in the crowd it would be hard to differentiate, since he would naturally blend and fit. 

Ironically, at the same meeting several supporters of a lighter complexion were heckled and told “your time done now…our time now”.  It is shameful that an educated, legal mind at the pinnacle of leadership in Jamaica could use leverage of illiteracy, ignorance and lack of self appreciation on the masses and believe it served any other purpose than divisive intent.  Imagine thirty years after independence a leader of this country would boldly promote a concept this country has worked hard to remove and reject. 

It was also a solid slap in the faces of all the other distinguished men who had previously led Jamaica and many of his fellow party and opposition colleagues.  Now twenty two years later we have seen some ‘educated’ Jamaicans trying to sell the idea that Mr Patterson is “Jamaica’s first black prime minister”.  There is no true way to spin that ball and get an honest wicket.  Ignorance promoted by the educated distorts history and makes the uneducated proudly misinformed.

One thing is sure.  In Jamaica there is NO school, neighborhood, profession or position that only belongs to a certain complexion or gender.  FACT.  That was also a fact when that unfortunate misguided political campaign was launched by Mr. Patterson…a quite accomplished legal mind who wasn’t prevented from receiving a first class education IN Jamaica, or rising to the top of his professional pursuits by any “white”/”brown” man IN Jamaica…and he still owes ALL Jamaicans of any complexion an apology.

In the bigger picture called “The World” you are black, white or Asian, or some say Negro, Caucasian or Asian or…whatever term you choose to use, the categories are basically understood.  The fact that you might have certain physical features doesn’t immediately change your accepted or interpreted complexion.  Your nationality can’t help you create a complexion to suit you either.  So, even if you’re ten shades away from dark-skinned, but you’re not white? Surprise!! Chances are…you’re black.  Funny how Asians don’t need to waste time trying to debate whether they’re black or white.  It’s simple.  Anywhere in the world they go they’re just…Asian!

One of the most amazing things to a Jamaican is how often others from around the world, AND even some fellow Jamaicans say, “you don’t LOOK Jamaican”.  The response is usually, “how is a Jamaican supposed to look?”.  The history and background of most families might show a distant genesis and mix from all across the world, but when it comes down to basic brass tacks we say, “ah yah mi born, mi Jamaican”.  

We cannot afford to stay afloat in a ship of backward plantation thinking in the name of progress, acceptance, or self empowerment.  Newsflash!! All societies battle with racism, classist and elite social separation, blah blah blah.  Some people think that moving ahead means forgetting the past.  That is a footstool for the ignorant.  If we can’t advance our minds past this constant mental slavery we might as well change and abandon our national motto to read, “Out of many, SOME people”.

Rodney S. O. Campbell ©

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