Is Jamaica Returning To Backra Massa?
By Ifeoluwa Alonge
Neo-Colonialism is the continuation or reimposition of imperialist rule by a state over another nominally independent state. Jamaica has been an independent nation since 1962. Since then, we as a nation have played a large part in shaping the world. From our reggae music to the athletes dominating the track and field world, Jamaica is by no means a “quiet or irrelevant country.” We are a leader in various fields and the world, particularly our former colonizers, owe a lot to Jamaica.
HAITI: AN EXAMPLE OF CLASSIC NEO-COLONIALISM
Haiti is a Caribbean country located on one half of the island of Hispaniola. The country won its independence in a bloody revolution which began in 1791 and ended in 1804. Haiti became the first free black republic. However, despite fighting a bloody battle for their freedom, the Haitians became victim to their former colonizer’s schemes. A vindictive France imposed harsh taxes on the Haitian state as reparations to former slave masters. The sum ordered by Charles X was a massive 150 million gold francs. From 1804 to 1947 Haiti had to spend an enormous amount paying off her debts to the French state. This is a classic example of neo-colonialism.
Even after independence, Haiti continued to be plagued by the exploitation of foreign powers. The United States occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934, primarily because they saw Haiti as an important naval base and the country’s volatile nature could result in leadership and associations with countries that were hostile to the USA, e.g. Germany, which the US saw as its chief rival in the Caribbean. Germany had its eyes on the country, too and its nationals were establishing family relations with Haitian women in order to be able to purchase Haitian land.
BELT AND ROAD
The Chinese belt and road initiative is a plan to create a modern silk road. It was launched in 2013 and now comprises 150 countries globally. The plan is to invest billions of dollars in countries all around the world, especially those countries that are struggling with internally improving and maintaining infrastructure.
The loans that China give out are backed by collateral, such as a country’s resource, like mines, ports, or even the country’s reserve of cash. It has been alleged by the U.S. Government that this policy is a form of “Debt-Trap Diplomacy”; however, the term itself has come under scrutiny as analysts and researchers have pointed out that there is no evidence to prove that China is deliberately aiming to do so.
Jamaica is also a part of the group of 150 countries involved in the Belt and Road initiative, and we know that China Harbour Engineering Company has been spearheading multiple infrastructure projects across the island, for example, the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.
It is troubling to think that if Jamaica were unable to repay her loans that the nation could face the superpower of China forcefully taking collateral in exchange for the failed payments.
DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS…OR NOT
An issue that has risen recently was reports now refuted of a “diplomatic row” between the United States and Jamaica. The United States sent a request to the island for a US diplomat’s spouse to receive the privileges of a diplomat. The catch is that the said diplomat is involved in a same-sex relationship. This kind of relationship is not recognized under the Jamaican constitution. There have been reasonable questions that have been raised, such as – if Jamaica were to recognize this couples’ relationship, would that mean that the government is now accepting same-sex unions? When the United States urged Jamaica for a reply, Jamaica responded that the request to give the diplomat’s spouse recognition would not be possible. This apparently angered the United States and fears are being raised over sanctions. Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith has discounted the allegations of a diplomatic row between the two nations, and has asserted that Jamaica and the United States continue to maintain good relations. Some commentators have accused the United States of bullying and meddling in sovereign states’ affairs.
Neo Colonialism is a dangerous threat to developing nations. Our sovereignty and way of life is threatened by foreign powers looking for another pawn in their geo-political fantasies. It is important that Jamaica takes a stand for sovereignty and our government remain committed to same.
Citizens of Jamaica, our emancipation and independence were fought for, and people died in the process. Please remain vigilant, and don’t allow their death to have been in vain. Let’s protect our sovereignty.
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Least we forget, many scholars including the late Rex Nettleford argued that Independence day was instituted to replace emancipation day, We must also remember that much to the chagrin of many, it was former Prime minister , the Honourable Percival James (PJ) Patterson who against all odds, re-introduced August 1 as a national holiday, in 1997. We must also remember that not so long ago the present ruling J.LP administration wanted to merged or more correctly subsumed Emancipation day under the sterile moniker "Emancipendence." This is another attempt at racial and culture erasure. Truth be told, since August 6,1962, black Jamaicans have been 'anesthetized' by the sports, the misogynistic-self-loathing music and the culture of vacuous political rhetoric . So much so , that now many negroes, irrespective of class or professions, are happily living under neo-colonialism. The present "prime minister" and his cabinet epitomize all that is venal. and colonial. Consequently, it is imperative that the few of us continue to agitate for social and racial justice, we need good governance and not neo-colonialism nor sodomy!