THE EDITOR, Sir:
I live in a country where we need to rebuild our self-esteem and define ourselves. We need to put Jamaica back into its rightful position as the No 1 Caribbean island. Many things happen which often cause me to ask myself: Am I proud to be Jamaican? A teacher at my school said I should never be ashamed and showed me the light.
My teacher showed me not to focus on the negatives and asked me to think of some of the things that make me proud to be Jamaica. Jamaica, I lift up my head and say I am proud to be Jamaica when I think of:
Merlene Ottey and the days she made me dance in my living room, when the Reggae Boys went to France and we were the first English-speaking Caribbean Island to accomplish this feat. When Beenie Man got a Grammy award, when Sean Paul topped the US billboard chart, when Jodi-Maxwell and Trudy McLeary dominated the Scripps Howard spelling bee competition. When I think of the Jamaican cricketer Courtney Walsh.
When I think of the spirit, warmth, vibes and friendliness of Jamaican people. When I think of the fact that our music and culture dominate this region and bring people from far and wide. When I think of our authentic Jamaican dishes and the physical beauty of the Jamaican people. The fact that other places recognise we are the best in the region as our teachers and nurses are always in high demand in places such as North America and the UK and even other Caribbean islands.
Most of all I just love my mountains, I boast about these all the time because we all know that physically Jamaica is a beautiful haven. When you stop and think about it the good does outweigh the negative. We just have to focus on building on the good and putting Jamaica back in her number one position. Let us restore our nation's self-esteem and pride especially in our youth and this will help us heal the ills so our true potential can shine through. Let us put Jamaica first.
I am etc.
SASHANE McDONALD
saschaine@yahoo.com
Via Go-Jamaica
