Dear Editor,

As Jamaica prepares for its national celebrations, we face a crucial moment of reflection. Our cherished motto, ‘Out of many, one people’, is not merely a slogan, it is the profound truth of our existence. Yet our public festivities often inadvertently highlight only one thread of our vibrant tapestry, risking the denial of our very whole.

Our creole identity is a dynamic synthesis, forged over centuries. While the foundational contributions of our African ancestors are undeniably central, they are not the sole architects of our unique character.

Consider the indelible mark of the Spanish, whose legacy lives in countless place names, staple crops, and culinary traditions, like escoveitched fish. The Indian community introduced rice cultivation, the ubiquitous curry powder, and spiritual traditions, including ganja’s unique place in Rastafarianism. Our Chinese immigrants, transitioning from labourers to pivotal entrepreneurs, filled economic niches and enriched our cuisine with beloved fusion dishes and were key pioneers in our music and entertainment industry.

Our Jewish community’s entrepreneurial spirit was also vital to our economy, developing key sectors, like coffee. Additionally, the nation has benefited from the influence of the rigorous intellectual and ethical demands of the Torah, as well as the founding of our oldest newspaper, The Gleaner. Indeed, the very moral fabric of Jamaica, with its emphasis on the Ten Commandments and the Judeo-Christian world view, echoes the enduring wisdom of Jewish ancient texts.

The Irish, many forcibly transported as indentured servants, left an undeniable imprint in place names, subtle linguistic lilt, and even dance forms. The German indentured immigrants, arriving post-Emancipation, contributed agricultural knowledge and built communities, leaving their mark through surnames and physical features that persist to this day.

Beyond these ethnic contributions, we must celebrate the profound and continued indigenous role of the Christian Church in Jamaica’s nation-building. From the Baptist War of 1831, when churches provided spaces for enslaved individuals to organise for freedom, to their post-Emancipation efforts in establishing schools and free villages that fostered economic independence and self-determination, the Church has been a bedrock of social justice.

Figures like Baptist deacon Paul Bogle exemplify its deep connection to political awakening, laying the groundwork for universal adult suffrage. Today, with its vast network, the Jamaican Church holds immense potential to continue its historic role as a champion of social justice and community empowerment.

These are not separate histories, they are interwoven threads that form the singular, vibrant fabric of Jamaica. To celebrate only one aspect of our heritage is to diminish the collective journey that has shaped us. We are not a hyphenated people – African-Jamaican, Indian-Jamaican, Chinese-Jamaican, European-Jamaican, etc — we are simply Jamaican, a truly creole culture, stronger and richer precisely because of this magnificent blend.

As we plan our national celebrations, let us consciously embrace and showcase this incredible multi-ethnic heritage. Let our stages, parades, and narratives reflect the full spectrum of contributions that have made us Out of Many, One People. Only then can we truly celebrate the whole of our unique and compelling Jamaican identity.

Francesca Tavares

francescatavares@yahoo.com