Although I’ve been missing in action for a few weeks (and with excellent reason, so stay tuned to the blog), I couldn’t allow this day to pass without wishing you a happy Independence Day.
It’s August 6, and Jamaica celebrates 53 years of independence from British governance.
It’s been 53 years mixed with challenges and triumph. Some may argue that we should never have cut wi navel string from Britain. But I not getting into no long argument ova dat right now. The navel string done cut ahready and plant unda some tree.
Jamaicans have accomplished a lot since August 6, 1962. Sure, we know about those who have made news headlines and won national awards. But today, let’s also celebrate Jamaicans who’re doing their thing in their corner of the universe.
Like working two and three jobs to send dem pickney go school and/or university, so they can be educated citizens wherever they choose to reside.
Like Jamaicans who’ve risked family life and money to start their own businesses in and outside of Jamaica, so people can have jobs and uplift their own homes and communities.
Like Jamaicans who continue to highlight, expose or live our culture and traditions, so they remain in our children’s DNA and never die.
If you’re a Jamaican, of Jamaican parentage or a Jamaican wid odder country citizenship (ahem, ahem) give yourself a pat on the back. But only if you’ve been advancing yourself, community or family through education, respect, good manners, enterprise, culture and anything else that will keep our heads held high and the Jamaican flag flapping in the breeze.
Today, cook up a Jamaican dish to celebrate Jamaica and Jamaicans.
How about some ackee and saltfish with a few johnny cakes?
Sounds nice?
If you can’t afford the saltfish but can buy the ackee, have a plate of ackee and corned beef or any other saltfish substitute plus a few johnny cakes.
If you can’t afford the ackee but can manage the saltfish, cook up the saltfish with onion, scallion, sweet pepper, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, pimento and tomatoes and eat that with a few johnny cakes.
And if you can’t afford the ackee and the saltfish then rub up some johnny cakes, smear them with butter or margarine and wash them down with a mug of hot chocolate, coffee, cocoa, Milo or mint tea.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
Catch yuh next time.
Love and peace
Angie
Interesting notes for you:
1. Navel string is the same as the umbilical cord
Snapshots of Jamaican Living 