THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS A young boy I vividly remember history lessons which spoke of the Masai & the Ashanti, Kublai Khan & the Chinese Dynasty's and Vishnu & the caste system, all of this being told within the context of a European colony which had recently gained it's Independence. It was an amazing universe comprised of so many different worlds.
As I grew older and discovered the link between; (a) Indian mystic men and ganga/ganja, (b)"pardnah" draw and the distinctively Chinese form of capital formation called the "rotating partnership" and (c) the fall of the black Moors amidst the rise of Queen Isabella of Spain, I realised how complex and unique the creation of this country of mine was. We were a single culture formed out of a maelstrom of world movements.
I believe as Jamaicans, we must never forget where we are coming from and where we are. That we are a nation of peoples who were sold and sold out by their own, we must never lose sight of that fact.
The fact that Busta and Nanny fought for our freedom must never be discounted nor diminished. The idea that we are in fact 'out of many one' must be sacrosanct and second to none.
Let us not fall prey to the 'dumping' of ideologies and schools of thought that threaten our national motto and culture. The cute, quaint and sometimes queer notions that we are being exposed to, must always be subject to vigilant scrutiny. Although some may see Jamaica as a colour, beat or taste, let us realise we are a rainbow, a harmony and a variety of dishes, we are truly "out of many one".
I am etc.,
ANDRE JOHNSON
E-mail:
darkcougar_2000@yahoo.com
9 Hollywood Road
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
