In his message to the Jamaican diaspora on the 61st anniversary of Jamaica’s independence from the British, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness hailed the diaspora. He acknowledged the role Jamaicans living abroad have played in the growth and development of their home country.
Holness emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship with the diaspora in enhancing Jamaica’s progress and future prosperity.
But, somehow the prime minister’s words ring hollow. If the Jamaican government did regard Jamaicans living abroad as really playing significant roles in the development of Jamaica, then why is it that each year, on Independence Day, when the Jamaican National Honors are announced, so very few, if any, members of the diaspora are recognized to be honored.
This year it was announced that 126 Jamaicans were awarded a variety of national honors, but it does seem no one from the diaspora was among the honorees. This is definitely not reflective of the significant role that the prime minister sees Jamaicans in the diaspora playing.
Jamaicans, past and present, living in the Jamaican diaspora, have made outstanding achievements in almost every aspect of life while residing in the diaspora. Granted, some of these achievements may not have benefited Jamaica directly, but the fact that the achievements were made by Jamaicans has gone a long way in building the esteem of Jamaica and Jamaicans in the eyes of non-Jamaicans.
Moreover, many people within the Jamaican diaspora have made significant direct contributions to the development of Jamaica prior to migrating overseas, but these people have never been recognized for their former services in Jamaica.
Ironically, each year the diaspora is invited to formally recommend individuals residing within the diaspora to be considered for Jamaican national honors. Invariably, when these recommendations are submitted they are either not considered by the committee in Jamaica that selects the honorees, or they are rejected. But who represents the Jamaican diaspora on this committee? Does anyone? If there is no one representing the diaspora, how can the recommendations made by the individuals from the diaspora be appreciated?
Each year that these Jamaican national honors are announced, it creates a sense of disappointment within the diaspora, when very few, if any, names from people living within the diaspora are included.
It seems more than ever the time is right for the diaspora to consider having its own honors to award to Jamaicans who make significant contributions to Jamaica, and also contributions made within the diaspora.
It’s also ironic that the Prime Minister’s message hailing the contribution of the Jamaican diaspora to Jamaica’s development was made at an event that marked the debut of the Jamaican Diaspora DMV Awards in Maryland, honoring notable Jamaican-born individuals.
In several communities within the diaspora, the relevant Jamaican Consulate or private organizations honor outstanding Jamaicans annually. Coinciding with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence in 2012, the Jamaican Consulate in Miami honored several Jamaicans and Jamaican companies operating in South Florida in the categories of: Changemakers, Luminaries and Vanguards, and these honorees were celebrated at a special social function hosted by the consulate.
These honors and the event were well received by the community, and it was hoped then that it would have been an annual event. However, while the Jamaican Consulate continued the honor awards for several years after, cost implications forced it to be on a much smaller scale than in 2012, but in more recent years there has been no evidence of similar honors being made by the consulate.
Among the work to be done by the wider Jamaican diaspora, respectively, in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom, is the coordination and implementation of Jamaica Diaspora Honors, funded by the diaspora.
Some people may regard these honors as merely a symbol of vanity, but they serve a real motivating purpose in publicly acknowledging the achievements that individuals living within the diaspora community have made.
Such awards serve to build the community, and the quality of achievements made within the community. It’s human nature that people like to be publicly appreciated for the work they do, and the community contributions they make.
There are several organizations that periodically host elaborate social events honoring individuals within the community for various achievements, but, honestly, these seem to be blatant money-making events for the organizers and organizations.
It seems it is not appropriate for well-thinking individuals and groups within the Jamaican diaspora to collaborate on initiating and implementing a respectable annual Jamaican Diaspora Honors system.
Since it seems Jamaicans within the diaspora are without honor in their home country, they ought to be honored within the diaspora for the work they do, and the achievements they make within the diaspora.
