GOVERNMENTS, regional institutions and representatives from a variety of organizations across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would yesterday have associated themselves with congratulatory messages, if not their presence as well, for Jamaica’s historic official celebration marking its Golden Jubilee of political independence from British colonial rule.
Even the threatening Tropical Storm Ernesto backed away from spoiling Jamaica’s parade of ceremonial events organized to highlight its 50th anniversary as the first independent nation of the English-speaking Caribbean.
Perhaps Ernesto, which had caused much concern with earlier depressing weather alerts, may well have been scared away by the fierce, indomitable spirit of “hurricane” (Usain) Bolt.
The acclaimed fastest sprinter on earth, Bolt won for himself, Jamaica and many millions of fans across the globe his latest gold medal in record-breaking time at the 2012 Olympic Games in Britain.
Indeed, not just Bolt but fellow Jamaican Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, two-time Olympic 100-metre champion, did herself, women athletes and her homeland proud with her own gold medal-winning performance at the weekend.
A very open, multi-party democracy, Jamaica has long been a pacesetter in the areas of politics, culture, education and sports in our region, the Greater Caribbean.
There may be as many references to historic political conferences that have taken place on Jamaican soil as there have been cultural and educational meetings and events involving efforts to chart the way forward from colonialism to independence, as well as on shaping and sustaining the regional economic integration movement we know as CARICOM.
Its downside as a crime-ridden society with notorious gun-running, narco-trafficking gangsters who have spawned an epidemic in killings and armed robberies, continue to be exposed, analyzed and lamented by the country’s vibrant media.
At the same time the media remain quite forthcoming in reporting and applauding the vibrancy and creativity of national achievements in sports, creative and performing arts, as well as in commending the richness of its more famous cuisine.
As in all families of all cultures, there have been times of tension and misunderstanding in relations between Jamaica and some of its CARICOM partners. But then, this is true of other community partners, for instance, Trinidad and Tobago, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence on August 31.
What is encouraging to note at this time of golden jubilee celebrations is that irrespective of lingering differences, both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago remain firm in their commitment, along with the 13 other member countries, to making a success of CARICOM.
