Deon P. Green, Contributor
London, England:
British born Jamaican author Alex Wheatle has captured the experiences of Jamaicans born in the United Kingdom against the fascinating life style, values and legacy of the Jamaican culture. His book, Island Songs is aimed at bridging the generation gap that exists among many youngsters of Jamaican background in the United Kingdom. It also seeks to dispel the negative perception of Jamaicans through real life association of the two cultures.
Released in London days before the bombing of the public transportation system and the revelation that a Jamaican who left the island at five months old was one of the bombers, Island Songs, is a timely reminder of the values inculcated among Jamaican children brought up on the island. It depicts the missing links that exist among those brought up and influenced primarily within the British culture. Wheatle believes a few of the children of Jamaican heritage need to return to 'old time teachings'.
Dedicating the text to his parents and the generation from which his parents came, Wheatle told The Gleaner, 'this is my contribution to that broken link among many of us of Jamaican heritage that have been brought up here (England) of which many have no idea of the Jamaican traditions that have been handed down.
The book focuses on informing individuals on the background of how our Jamaican ancestors lived, of which, Wheatle told The Gleaner, many young people of Jamaican background in Britain know nothing about. He added, "in my opinion, Jamaicans are hard working and have achieved much primarily through sacrifice and hard work over the years.
"Many of our foreparents started out in life with nothing and have worked hard for what they have; with so much negative portrayal of Jamaicans, it seems that the majority who are decent have been forgotten."
A typical British-born Jamaican, Wheatle told The Gleaner, "I was born here (in Brixton), and I have been to Jamaica quite a few times and have heard stories of the Jamaican culture from my aunt, about how the people had to scrape and save to come to England in the early days. It was very hard in those days, not just for Jamaicans but for many others from all parts of the world and now that I have come to understand the Jamaican values through their stories mainly handed down orally, I have written this book to relate those experiences."
His perception and understanding of the Jamaican people blossomed through visits to the island.
"My children did not know much about Jamaica or what the Jamaican people stood for as I did not know or speak to my children about that, we didn't have that grandparent kind of guidance and counselling that I have come to realise existed in Jamaica and many children born here are missing that vital link."
Asked about the association of the Jamaican born British suicide bomber in the recent atrocities Wheatle said, "I was horrified as the majority of Jamaican people are from families of a Christian background. In my book the Jamaicans I have come to know and accept praise their God. Many go about their lives in a Christian way."
With a chequered educational background Wheatle was suspended from school many times before being expelled at an early age. Yet, he climbed the ladder to become a writer having being inspired through Reggae music and the reading of several black history books. He further intends to focus his next book around the Brixton riot on a St. Ann family in Jamaica who moved from that area into Kingston and then to London in the 1960s.
"I want to capture that Jamaican spirit, to more closely examine the descendants of Jamaicans inclusive of Maroons," he said.
Issuing an advice to others who are young and of Jamaica descendants, Wheatle said, "believe in yourselves, go for your goals. Education is the gateway."
