56 YEARS OF THE JAMAICAN SPIRIT

SINCE 1962, when the Union Jack was lowered and the Jamaican national flag flown for the first time, this Land of Wood and Water has been quite the performer on the global stage. At 56 years old, our nation is recognised as the home of trendsetters in areas like sports, music, fashion, and food, and this is no ordinary feat.

Like other countries, we will never overlook that we have our difficulties. That is inevitable. However, in spite of it all, it must also be said that there is a spirit of nationhood that exists in all Jamaicans. This is the spirit that draws us to Half-Way Tree square whenever our athletes are on show; the same spirit that left every household with two less pot covers when songbird Tessanne Chin tugged at our heartstrings in 2013.

We are proud of our little island home, truly ‘tallawah’ in its lush, green splendour and unending human resource. This Independence season calls for reflection; it is a time when we play Cherry Oh Baby until even the babies can sing along, and a time when we appreciate our Jamaican roots and identity.

Let’s recount the moments that have made us all smile over the years – the ones that elevated us, as a people, to the next level and the ones that will remain every grandma’s favourite ‘story time’ memory. Gather ’round and let us celebrate the best of Independence in true Jamaican spirit!