It is now 46 years since the black, yellow and green flag replaced the Union Jack in Jamaica. On 6 August 1962, Jamaica became independent, remaining within the fold of the Commonwealth (it recognises the Queen of England as its head of state, like Canada or Australia).
"Independence means autonomy in the development of a people and a nation, in the way we look after our own affairs," notes Laleta Davis Mattis, executive director of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, in the pages of the Jamaica Gleaner. "Building on our past, we must decide what we have to accomplish as a nation."
The celebrations are taking place against a particular backdrop of rising violence on the island (eight more victims are to be mourned this weekend). Laleta Davis Mattis adds: "The people must focus on the power we have as individuals, but we must do so on the basis of law and order, not anarchy. We cannot let the rest of the world define us, we must teach our children to be proud of who we are, rather than the self-hatred we see today. As long as we do that, we will get nowhere."
The Jamaica Observer takes stock, highlighting progress in education, health, infrastructure, the media and transport. But it also points to the setbacks: the currency (before independence, the Jamaican currency was stronger than the dollar), the golden age of exports of bauxite, bananas, pimento, coffee and sugar... And above all, the editorialist recalls, " we remember when we lived in gentler, kinder times, when, ironically, the population suffered even more from poverty, and no excuse was to be found for the level of crime we know today."
To commemorate independence, official ceremonies will be held at the National Stadium in Kingston. With the customary fireworks, of course. 6 August 2008 is also the date chosen by Beenie Man for his "Beenie Sizzle", a concert that will bring together Ninjaman, Capleton, Anthony B, Cocoa Tea, Vybz Kartel, Jah Cure, TOK, Voicemail, D'Angel, Macka Diamond and Queen Ifrica, among others... But no Bounty Killer or Mavado, even though they were invited by their rival Beenie Man.