REMEMBER! CELEBRATE! BELIEVE! - My Island Jamaica

1962JAMAICACELEBRATESREMEMBER! CELEBRATE! BELIEVE!In 47 years ...retracing our stepsSomewhere in the last 47 years, thehope defined by the framers ofJamaica’s Independence status seemsto have evaporated. Nowhere in theenthusiasm to break away from Britain,signalled by the lowering of the Union Jackand the hoisting of the Jamaican flag, didthe thought of high crime rate, abjectpoverty, uneducated and unemployablemasses, and struggling single-parentfamilies, factor into a future for the newnation.Somewhere, after the revelry in thestreets died down in 1962, and the peoplegot down to the business of determiningtheir own systems and way of life, the pushfor prosperity was deferred. Much has beenachieved since 1962; young entrepreneursdreamed up ideas and launched newbusinesses, some, who before were lockedout of the formal education system, founda place in classrooms in new schools,colleges and universities. But, equally, toomuch has been lost; the crime rate hasspiralled out of control, corruption haswarped many of the public systems thatwere established to serve and protect, andthe disregard for law and order has becomepart and parcel of the Jamaican persona. Agentler society seems to have matured intocrassness and volatility.Jamaica Celebrates is an effort toretrace our steps, starting and stopping in1962 when the dream of self-governmentwas realised.Many of the contributors to this projectare Gleaner readers whose real-lifeexperiences in and since 1962 helped toshape an understanding of the time.The music, the dance, the theatre, theofficial ceremonies and the people togetherpaint a picture of a more civil and happierJamaica.Jamaica Celebrates is also a photo-essaymainly from Gleaner archives with strongsupport from our sponsor, the JamaicaNational Building Society.Reminisce. Recount. Reconcile.MANAGING EDITORJenni Campbell(Pictured above)EDITOR-IN-CHIEFGarfield GrandisonCOVER DESIGNHeather KongSUB-EDITORSRaymond SimpsonGeorge MasonCarolyn SinclairKawain FearonShaunette Jones2JAMAICA CELEBRATES TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2009