Time for Jamaica to become a republic

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As we mark our 63rd year of Independence, I write as a young Jamaican, full of gratitude for how far we’ve come, and filled with a deep hope that we will take the next bold step in becoming a republic.

Independence was a powerful declaration to the world that Jamaicans were ready to govern ourselves. Yet, over six decades later, the unfinished business of that moment remains. We continue to carry a foreign monarch as our Head of State, a symbol of a colonial past that does not reflect who we are now. While it may seem purely ceremonial to some, symbols matter. Leadership matters. And representation at the highest level of government should come from and speak directly to the Jamaican people.

Though I wasn’t around in 1962, I’ve read the stories and studied the sacrifices of our heroes – Nanny, Bustamante, Garvey, Manley, and so many others whose names don’t appear in textbooks but live on in the legacy of struggle and strength. I’ve grown up singing “Jamaica, land we love” and feeling those words in my chest. I’ve seen the brilliance of our culture, our music, our food, and our people. There is no doubt in my mind that Jamaica is capable of standing tall, fully and completely, as a republic.

Becoming a republic doesn’t mean rejecting our history. It means embracing it with maturity and confidence. It means updating our governance to match our identity. It means finally completing what was started by those who lit the flame of independence so many years ago.

It is critical that young people like me, should start talking about what a republic really means. Ask questions, share their thoughts, learn about the Constitution and participate in community engagements. Let’s not sit this one out. The Jamaica of the future deserves all of our voices in the room.

This Independence Day, let’s celebrate with joy, but also with vision. Let’s honour our past, but not be trapped by it. Let’s walk boldly toward a future where we choose who speaks for us, who represents us, and who leads us as Head of State.

We have wisdom. We have the will. Now we need the courage to finish the work our ancestors began.

ELISA PRENDERGAST