Jamalco hosts Black History Month celebration

OVER 300 students from 20 primary and secondary schools located close to Jamalco's operations in Clarendon and Manchester, along with representatives from government and non-governmental organisations, participated in the fourth annual Black History Month exposition, panel discussion, and Bob Marley One Love Concert at the Halse Hall Great House recently.

The event, which was coordinated by Jamalco in collaboration with the Bob Marley Foundation, was organised during Bob Marley Week in an effort to highlight the contribution of Bob Marley and other outstanding Africans to Jamaica's culture and economy.

Jamalco's managing director, Jerome Maxwell, in his address to the gathering, said it was significant that Black History Month celebrations were being held at the Halse Hall Great House, as it was a national heritage site. "We have organised this event to help all of us, especially you, our young people, to understand more about our history and the contribution of people of African descent to nation building," Maxwell said.

implored to learn

In his remarks, corporate services manager, Leo Lambert, implored the children to grasp as much as they could from the displays and presentations as they highlighted the descendants of Africans who came to Jamaica and shed their blood, sweat, and tears so we could be free.

In quoting from the British Singer Labi Siffre's song, Something Inside So Strong, Lambert encouraged the children not to let anyone set their boundaries.

"Only you can limit yourselves. As descendants of Africans, you should be proud black people because in you, our future is bound up, and I urge you to always remember that there is something strong inside you," Lambert charged.

Special guest panellist, Verene Shepherd, professor of social history and director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, commended Jamalco for organising the event. She said as Africans, we had come a long way and "we no longer have to go through back doors or sit at the back when we attend functions. We have also rejected the saying, 'If you are black, stand back, if you are brown stick around, if you are white you are all right'."

encouraging words

Director/Curator of Liberty Hall, Donna McFalane, who also served as a panellist, said as descendants of Africans, it was fitting that we were honouring our ancestors upon whose shoulders we now stood. "We pour libations on our ancestors because they struggled and toiled so we could be here," said McFarlane. She added that when you say you are black, you are saying you have everything you need to create a great African empire once again.

The students viewed exhibits, displayed by six high schools, which depicted the life and contribution of Africans around the world. The exhibits were judged and Foga Road High School, which researched the great American, Rosa Parks, captured the top prize.

The students also participated in the event by asking questions during the panel discussion and performing cultural items that highlighted African history and celebrated Bob Marley's music. Cutting Edge Cultural Inity also made a special appearance and participated in the panel discussion. Cen C Love from the Bob Marley Foundation put the icing on the cake with a special interactive entertainment package.