On 6 August 2012, Jamaica celebrated 50 years of independence. The celebrations were made more jubilant by Team Jamaica’s results in the 2012 Olympics.
Jamaica is a mix-up of Amerindian, West African, Spanish, British, Chinese and Indian influences. The national motto, “Out of many, one people.” pretty much sums up the island. (See brief history)
Jamaica declared independence from Britain in 1962 but remains within the Commonwealth and has the Queen as head of state. So, is Jamaica really independent?
When Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was sworn in for the second time in January 2012, she said her government intended to abandon the British monarch as Jamaica’s official head of state and instead adopt a republican form of government.
“I love the Queen; she is a beautiful lady,” Simpson Miller said before declaring: “But I think time come.
So, as we raise a can of Red Stripe or rum punch to celebrate our Olympic wins and #Jamaic50, let’s also look forward to the time when Jamaica is truly free.
Listen to what Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley, Wayne Marshall & TOK have to say about our Independence.
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