Dear Editor,

We are writing in response to L Taylor’s letter of August 10, “Why China’s flag?”

The flags that your reader observed were not Chinese flags. These were simply red flags that were used to add colour in keeping with the festive tone on the occasion of our Independence celebrations. Second, the Wing Lung Kung Fu School performed the Lion Dance, not the Dragon Dance.

The Chinese Benevolent Association was honoured to participate in this year’s celebrations and saw it as an opportunity to share aspects of our culture with all Jamaica. Our members consider themselves Jamaican Chinese and believe in our motto, “Out of Many One People”. We are committed to staying the course of nation building and the Chinese community continues to make its contribution to this great country of ours.

At the same time we celebrate our Chinese roots, which were planted here 156 years ago when our forefathers journeyed to this land as indentured workers toiling on the sugar plantations. It was this message that our float depicted. From the response of onlookers, it was an educational experience and an opportunity for us to tell the story.

We regret that L Taylor misunderstood certain features of our float and performance and trust that the foregoing will serve to enlighten and clarify.

Marcia Harford

Chinese Benevolent Association

176 Old Hope Road

Kingston 6

marciah@cwjamaica.com