By Lolita Long, Editor, New York
A rousing applause following the hoisting of the Jamaican flag by New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey (centre) at an historic ceremony to celebrate Jamaica's Independence in Plainfield, New Jersey. From left are Jamaica's Consul-General Dr. Basil Bryan, Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, who was the guest speaker, and William McKoy, a Jamaican (at right), and Council President in Paterson, New Jersey. - Contributed
PLAINFIELD, New Jersey:
TAKE A well-organised thought, mix it with lots of commitment, dedication, stir with aspiration, passion and love of country, and what materialises is an excellent, well-executed ceremony, depicting the essence of Jamaican Independence celebrations.
The thought came from Council President Elsie Foster-Dublin, of the Borough of Highland Park in New Jersey. With her commitment and through the dedication of members of the United Caribbean American Network of New Jersey (UCAN-NJ), the raising of the Jamaican flag by New Jersey's Governor, James E. McGreevey, and declaring the day as Jamaica Day, was a memorable event on Saturday in Plainfield.
"Thank you, Jamaicans, we had to let the world know that we have done well," said Foster-Dublin in an interview after the ceremony. "Our successes have been through sheer will, discipline," she said.
JAMAICA'S DREAM COME TRUE
Governor McGreevy was particularly "happy" to "do the honours" before the several hundreds, including a woman from Irvington, several miles away, who had just had spinal surgery, who packed into the gymnasium at the Job Corp Centre.
Gov. McGreevey remarked at the similarity of the celebration of Jamaica's history of 41 years with the 40-year celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech.
That dream, he said, came too from Jamaica's National Heroes Paul Bogle's principles of charity and endurance; George William Gordon's pleas for changes; Nanny's sense of self, which symbolised desire and strength, and who never yielded; Sam Sharpe, who took personal risks and believed in freedom and hope; Alexander Bustamante's role as Chief Minister; Norman Manley's advocacy of a new Constitution that offered full Adult Suffrage; and Marcus Garvey's unification and empowerment.
POWER OF THE SPIRIT
"The Jamaican experience is, in many ways, mirrored in (the power experience) of the U.S.; in the power of the spirit. We understand that a people without vision shall perish," Gov. McCreevy said. "While we celebrate the comforts in all our finery, we must understand the struggle and that people, like the heroes, paid the ultimate price.
"Now we stand on the shoulders of those giants who went before, we must understand the importance of education and the importance of investing in our children."
With that, the Governor declared August 23 Jamaica Day in New Jersey. So, under the Governor's seal, every year, on that day, Jamaica's Independence shall be observed.
Jamaica's Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson was true to form and delivered one of the best speeches to a Jamaican overseas audience by a Government official in recent times. For her, the symbolic value of the hoisting of the flag at the Edison Job Corp Center was of paramount importance and represented "a firm rooting of Jamaica on New Jersey soil".
CARRYING THE FLAG HIGH
"Jamaicans for decades carried our flag high by their participation and involvement in all spheres and at all levels. We have contributed not only our tears, sweat and yes blood, but also, intellectual capacities and assets, entrepreneurial skills and political acumen. We have made our mark in all areas of the U.S. society and economy," the Minister said.
It has also been reciprocal, as Jamaicans, including the Minister herself, have also benefited from the adopted country. Mrs. Henry-Wilson completed her education at Rutgers State University with a Master's degree in Public Administration and Public Policy. Education, she said, is as close as a panacea as possible "and is an indispensable ingredient for development and personal empowerment."
The Minister said that through the United Caribbean Network of New Jersey (UCAN-NJ), all Jamaicans can help not only in material assistance, but also "in fostering a state of mind among relatives and friends, the communities", that "education is the best and more enduring antidote to poverty and input in development."
