Dear Editor,

Jamaica continues to hold fast to godly principles, healthy cultural practices, and righteous laws that are beneficial to human flourishing and the preservation of inherent and divinely given human rights.

With consideration and emphasis given to the eighth to eleventh lines of the Jamaican National Pledge, “…so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship, and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race”, we adjure the leaders of this nation to request the immediate removal of the LGBTQ flag from the US Embassy here in Jamaica.

Whilst the laws of this nation with regards to buggery remains intact, and the practice is illegal, erecting the LGBTQ flag on our soil is like a political weapon being wielded against this country.

It is an insult to our laws, sovereignty, culture, and flaunts diplomatic protocols.

It is hypocritical, being that they have not raised such flags in Muslim countries where they also have embassies. Why not? The same respect should be applied to Jamaica.

Cultural imperialism, which this clearly is, is forcefully imposing culture or behaviour of a politically or economically dominant country upon a non-dominant country.

We say no to neocolonialism! No to big countries forcing political agendas upon small ones! No to host countries (the US diplomatic mission is a guest in Jamaica) being enslaved again by the neocolonial master!

If Jamaicans remain silent about such blatant disregard for our laws and culture, or turn a blind eye to the onslaught upon the principles by which we are governed, then it is that we would have contributed to and allowed the narrowing of the space for freedom of speech and freedom of religion, which are actual human rights recognised by international law and our constitution.

Dannieth Powell

powelldannieth@gmail.com