Dear Editor,

Approximately 61 years ago to the date, jubilant Jamaicans flooded the streets of Kingston in eager anticipation of Independence.

The fanfare wasn’t because they were parting from the Crown, but at the prospects ahead — the promise of a new and striving nation rising from the shadows of colonial servitude, embracing the proverbial heights of success.

Thousands of patriotic nationals flocked to the newly opened National Stadium to view the pomp and pageantry on show.

At midnight of August 6, 1962 the black, green and gold Jamaican flag was raised along with the hopes and aspirations, replacing the Union Jack.

In 2023 there is still fanfare surrounding this Independence period. But I dare ask, is it Independence we are celebrating? Are we as patriotic as we claim?

I don’t think so.

This patriotism has since been replaced with the opportunity to engage in social drinking and revelry. The further away we go from the actual independence date, the less significant it is. All significance has been lost with a generation of people who actually lived the experience and invested their blood, sweat and tears to achieve the freedom we enjoy today. Independence now represents a day or two to party, go to the beach, or even the river.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is one of those organisations charged with sustaining our cultural heritage and is treading water to stay afloat while navigating the bellows caused by local entertainment event promoters. One of the JCDC’s flagship products is the song competition. Replaced lyrics that fail to inspire the patriot in the Jamaican people, yet the words of Cherry Oh Baby and What a Bam-Bam are forever be etched in our minds.

Another illustration of the going through the motion of independence is the annual facelift. I can still smell the wet black, green and gold paint in the town centres, emblematic of a practice maintained but a passion long gone.

The colour of our nation doesn’t evoke the same pride it used to, as these freshly painted walls provided the opportunity for a swift rest stop much like that “Dog in Babylon”.

This lack of civic pride is consistent with the adoption of global trends in which we have severed ties with the historical significance of Independence of our great nation.

Michael Huggan

michaelhuggan42@gmail.com