The Jamaican: Who We Are As A People

By Jennifer Starns

Recently, I came across a short video asking the question, “Why do Jamaicans identify as Jamaican and not African?”

I read the comments, and most pointed out that Jamaicans do identify with African heritage, so they couldn’t understand why the presenter would say otherwise. I pondered the question long and hard and agreed with the presenter and commentators, but not for the reason you might think.

I refer to myself as “Jamaican” and can’t recall ever referring to myself as “Afro-anything.” Leaning more on the “Jamaican” label is not to deny my African heritage but to speak with more linguistic accuracy to convey a deeper meaning. It is not uncommon, in some circles, to identify with my family name rather than my country of birth.

By pointing to Jamaican, I am not only saying I am of African heritage, but that I am from a culture of people who were born on the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. The fact that most of our ancestors were from the African continent would be evident from looking and listening to us, but my physical features tell little about me, and when introducing myself, I intend to provide information specific to “me.”

I have difficulty speaking of Africa because I don’t have personal details to animate. Africa is a vast continent with various countries, cultures, languages, and people groups. Which one should I claim? I don’t know, so I’ll be content with the vague “Africa.” I don’t know what it’s like to be an orphan who doesn’t know their biological parents, but that’s how I visualise this connection with Africa. Perhaps I should have investigated and had the answers by now. If so, forgive me; I have not yet experienced a compelling desire to dedicate effort to finding out.

One day, we’ll know the origins of our earlier parents, who were kidnapped and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. I could go into more detail to solicit emotions depicting the horrors of the journey and their nightmarish lives, but this is 2023. What would those emotions do for us? Create anger, hate, resentment, unforgiveness? Those are suicidal emotions.

Our Father, God, tells us to love our enemies, never stop forgiving, and leave revenge to Him. His culture cannot sustain malice, hatred, enmity.

LAUGHTER HIDES OUR TEARS

Few things are as sweet to the soul as hearing a group of Jamaicans laughing.  Jamaicans laugh even at things others would correctly frown at. But we do it, not because we are callous or simple, but because if we don’t laugh, we know we will cry. Inside, we might even be weeping, but on the outside, we wear a smile. If you could hear our hearts, we are most likely conversing with God, asking Him for strength to overcome the present obstacle in our way: “Fadda God, yu see an’ know…!”   

My fellow Jamaicans and I are closely connected with a history that has been tarnished, but we have learned to grieve in a healthy way and not lash out at the children of our enslavers. The colour black on our flag depicts the strength and creativity of our people. Sorrow and hardship are a part of this fallen world; however, we are hopeful—the yellow on our flag points to that hope.

To dwell on our African heritage without highlighting the road we’ve travelled could cause us to be stymied, to stay stuck, to be embroiled in a “morbid grief”, to be of little to no use to our present challenges.

Jamaicans enact national holidays celebrating emancipation from slavery and independence from England. We heal by opening ourselves to the Truth. We select our heroes from all classes and skin colours—from slaves to statesmen, men, and women.

One day, we’ll each know from which country and tribe we originated. We’ll know each leaf, branch, or twig of our family tree. Until then, we are satisfied knowing that we have ancestors from the African continent.

And even more satisfied that we know our forefather was Noah and our first parents were Adam and Eve. Our Eternal Father is God, Yahweh; this identity is enough to embolden us as we journey through life.

DIFFERENT SKIN COLOURS, ONE GOD

Remember, Jamaicans are people from many places with different skin colours, but we are ONE and we unite around our ideals and not the colour of our skin.

We articulate our identity and ideals in our flag, anthem, motto, and culture of community spirit. Our national anthem, which is also a prayer to God, begins, “Eternal Father, bless our land,” for we acknowledge Yahweh as our God and Source.

“Bless our Land” does not mean we capitulate our identity to the land of Africa, but like Jeremiah told the Israelites while they were living as captives in Babylon:

“.. the God of Israel says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (29:4-7 NLT)

We make the most of it when we find ourselves on ‘an island’ or in whatever difficult circumstance—that’s Jamaican resilience. “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing is gonna be all right.” (Bob Marley)

We know our Godly origins, and even if the details of the journey He has us on are sketchy, we know Who is ultimately in charge. When I remember the different hurricanes I’ve experienced while living in my island home, on every one of those occasions, the radio talk shows would be inundated with people requesting or offering up prayers for God to intervene.

JAMAICANS SHINE IN EVERY CREVICE 

Yahweh created the earth, and since our Father owns it all, we are at liberty to enjoy every part of it. Jamaicans can be found on every continent worldwide; currently, more Jamaicans live outside of Jamaica. Wherever we live, we strive to be in harmony with everyone we bump into. Even introverts like me “don’t know a stranger” (don’t behave “stoosh or stuck up” like we say in Jamaica).

We connect deeply with people of the world, irrespective of their origin. As individuals, we are not allowed to forget the dignity and inherent value of humans, but just in case… this spirit is also cemented in our motto, “Out of Many, One People.”

Becoming a citizen of another country does not desecrate that spirit. We pray for the country, nation, and cities wherever we live.

Jamaicans have articulated a narrative and culture we know and are easily identified by. Plus, the name “Jamaica” is readily known. This proud flag-waving nation of people is not tethered to a piece of earth but to a spirit that will not be constrained by mental slavery – Thank you, Bob Marley. 

When we identify as Jamaican, it is far more than speaking to one aspect of our heritage; it’s owning all of it—the victories and missteps of the past, the successes and challenges of the present, and our individual follies, strengths, and weaknesses. If we have difficulty identifying our sins, a prolific Jamaican singer will happily write a song to bring them to the surface. It stings to hear negative news, and we’re not blind to the atrocities that occur in our midst.

We might not experience victory every day, but we, a brother or sister, triumph every so often. We are grateful for all we receive and mourn and celebrate accordingly, without apology.

” Teach us true respect for all,

Stir response to duty’s call

Strengthen us the weak to cherish

Give us vision lest we perish,

Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,

Grant true wisdom from above,

Justice, Truth be ours forever,

Jamaica, land we love!”

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“The Jamaican” was initially published as a blog on www.jenniferstarns.com, Text Jennifer at 317-537-0487. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.jenniferstarns.com; 

Jennifer Layton Starns was born and schooled in Jamaica up to the Masters level at UWI, Mona, after which she landed a job in Information Technology

In the early 2000s, a Microsoft partner recruited her to work in the US – implementing software solutions for corporate businesses. Almost 20 years later, she started her own company, delivering coaching and mentoring services to software consultants. In 2023, she published her first book, The Two Kingdoms, which is available on Amazon.com 

Jennifer enjoys having deep transformational conversations.