Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THERE WAS many a Chin and Chan and a slew of Lees as Michael Anthony Cuffe noted some of the contributors to Ray Chen's 'The Shopkeepers' by the poolside at the Hilton in New Kingston on Saturday afternoon. As well there should be, as the book commemorates 150 years of the Chinese in Jamaica.
There were, of course, many such at Sunday's launch, the larger than leaf mounted pages taken from the book adding the silent presence of the many contributors whose first-hand stories have made the book a living, breathing documentary of a people who came to Jamaica 'seeking opportunities for a fresh start'.
The presence of, and greetings from the Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica emphasised the unbroken link between the Chinese in Jamaica and China, while book publisher Ian Randle noted Ray Chen's commitment.
It has been a steady commitment, as Cuffe noted that 'The Shopkeepers' has been "three years in the making and 30 years in his mind."
And there was a peek into the lively mind of Rex Nettleford, the function's guest speaker, who spoke of his 'unreserved enthusiasm' and dubbed the book 'irritatingly readable'. He put the 1854 Chinese arrival in Jamaica in the context of a society "still reeling in the aftermath of what is now acknowledged as the greatest crime committed against humanity in the last millennium."
INDENTURESHIP IN PRACTICE
"Indentureship was, in practice, a mere stone's throw from chattle."
Nettleford said, tracing the move from the canefields to the shops, where the counter became a place of power, which afforded 'a birds-eye view of happenings'.
There was laughter as he spoke of "the patience of Job or was it Confucious?" and the tenacity which allowed the Chinese to overcome xenophobia and racism.
There were also chuckles as Nettleford said that he had met a Chinese Rastaman. "He was the only fat Rasta I ever knew," he said, to more laughter.
"'The Shopkeepers' brings alive the lived reality of an entire people, told first-hand," Nettleford said.
Looking at sections of 'The Shopkeepers', Nettelford said "I am fascinated by the reaction to the 1970s, reported several times in this book".
Ray Chen, who edited and compiled "The Shopkeepers", described Sunday as a day he had looked forward to. "Days like this do not happen very often," he said, speaking quietly and simply. "I am very pleased with this book. Thirty years ago I only dreamed of publishing this book."
"These are the living memories of the past," Chen said.
The 458-page, hardcover book is published by Periwinkle.
