Basil Bryan | Jamaican diaspora: loyal, faithful, true

The Biennial Diaspora Conference has thrust the Jamaican diaspora once more onto centrestage, hopefully to broaden engagement on issues of national significance, including investment, crime, violence in social intercourse, healthcare, and accountability.

Many in the diaspora are also mindful of painful and evil happenings that seem to hold the country in a spiral of anguish and underdevelopment, diminishing hope and stifling opportunities for progress.

Then there is the matter of constitutional reform. What should be the relationship of the diaspora with the Government? Should the Government play lead choreographer or simply an encouraging and enabling partner? Should Jamaican dual citizens in non-Commonwealth countries be eligible to serve in the country’s Parliament or in public offices, in line with those in Commonwealth countries? Is this now time for a reckoning whereby an independent Jamaica, proud and free, constructs a constitution fit for a people yearning for “full freedom”, facing the future in a more unified mode?

The Psalm of David (Psalm 137) conveys the ambivalence of Jamaicans in the diaspora - forced by circumstance to make life in a “strange land”, leaving behind the country they truly desire to live in. Much like the biblical children of Israel forced into exile following the Babylonian conquest, Jamaicans see themselves in a sort of self-imposed exile from the land they love and yearn to return to.

Despite years of living overseas, many Jamaicans still refer to Jamaica as “home”, an unyielding embrace that others find difficult to understand. And, even though saddened by absence from the homeland, they relish in singing Jamaica’s songs wherever they find themselves, even in strange lands.

In a speech delivered in 1993, then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson described Jamaica as an entity no longer defined merely by geographic borders. “It is not for nothing,” Patterson said, “that Miami is known as Kingston 21 ... we have to redefine Jamaica in demographic rather than geographic terms – a nation without borders.”

There is no country in the world where you cannot find a Jamaican; Jamaicans are everywhere! Whether in good times or bad, Jamaica can confidently look to a supportive diaspora that, though scattered far and wide, keeps the country close to heart.

DEEPLY EMBEDDED

Despite physical absence, the Jamaican culture remains deeply embedded, and Jamaicans engage daily with all the news from Jamaica. Deep links are maintained through numerous organisations that faithfully support Jamaica’s socio-economic, cultural and educational pursuits, giving life to many philanthropic endeavours. And, after any of the several hurricanes to hit the country, no matter where located, Jamaicans mobilise rapidly in a powerful show of support to the aid of the homeland.

In sports, often we see athletes born in Jamaica representing another country. Conversely, a number of Jamaican athletes were born or obtained residency status elsewhere, yet chose to represent Jamaica. In football, Britain-born players of Jamaican heritage were integral in carrying Jamaica to the World Cup Finals in France in 1998. In cricket, Australia-born Brendan Nash played for Jamaica and the West Indies.

It is in the area of remittances that diaspora support is most visible, accounting for some 19 per cent of the country’s GDP. Remittances moved from US$17.1 million in 1960 to US$840 million in 2000. By 2023, remittances reached US$3.13 billion, the largest proportion coming from the United States. According to a former prime minister, “It is fair to say that Jamaica could not function without the contribution of our foreign-based nationals.”

Members of the diaspora have shown resolve in many other ways. In the 1930s, the newly formed Jamaica Progressive League rallied to Jamaica’s support even while members faced huge economic problems because of the Great Depression, and later forged the way leading to self-government and Independence. In the 1990s, Jamaicans in the Washington DC area spearheaded a surgical team to Jamaica to perform open heart surgery. Annually, scores of Jamaican professionals travel to Jamaica delivering free medical care to poor Jamaicans.

EXTRAORDINARY TALENT

The story is told of diaspora support to a promising student at Wolmer’s Girls’ School. Through this, young Shelly-Ann Fraser was able to develop her extraordinary talent to become an Olympic champion, bringing joy to Jamaicans all over. Many schools in Jamaica would find it prohibitive to send teams to the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia without support from alumni groups and Team Jamaica Bickle. Stories such as these abound without end!

Every Jamaican in the diaspora dreams of one day returning to Jamaica, and nothing can change their feelings about the country, not even the negative news that flourishes daily. There are many who look to the day when Jamaicans in the diaspora are able to vote in elections back home. Some countries currently extend this right to nationals abroad. I, for one, am not convinced that the time to extend the vote to Jamaicans overseas is now. The challenges are too many and divisive. But there are numerous ways in which overseas Jamaicans can become more involved in national decision-making, a fact made easier by modern technology. After all, none dares question the patriotism of those in the diaspora.

Whatever the reason for leaving Jamaica, the majority of Jamaicans abroad have never forgotten their roots. They tie their soul, spirit, and their very being to Jamaica. Distance or time makes no difference. They walk, talk, and live Jamaica. And, when they party, the nostalgic song, I’ve Got to Go Back Home, remains almost an anthem for Jamaicans in the diaspora.

The reality is, they never left Jamaica.

Ambassador Dr Basil Bryan was consul general of Jamaica in New York from 1998 to 2007. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com