Falmouth Mayor Urges Jamaicans to Preserve Culture

Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Garth Wilkinson, is urging Jamaicans to preserve their culture and learn to accept themselves.

The Mayor, who was addressing an Independence civic function in Water Square, Falmouth, Trelawny on Tuesday, August 6, said preservation of the culture must be a duty for all as “independence for us as Jamaicans is more than a day; it is a pride that comes with being triumphant and free.”

“Let us remember that if we are to be truly independent, we must accept ourselves for who we are. Every time we exchange the Jamaican tongue for foreign accent, we lose our Jamaican pride. Every time we adopt the culture we see on cable, we give up our culture that is uniquely Jamaican. Every time we bleach our skin we give up our right to be free. Let us remember that the greatest gift we can give our children is routed in the love for our country,” the Mayor told his audience.

Mayor Wilkinson also noted that there is a strong call and yearning for Jamaicans to come together for nation building and protection of communities, especially protection of the children.

He also urged persons not to become independent of each other. “The journey continues and we need one another,” he reminded.

The Mayor further contended that Jamaicans should treasure the national symbols and never be disloyal but stand and keep strong.

“Let us always believe in the black, the green, and gold. Let each of us look at the world and say, ‘this is Jamaica, my Jamaica, this is the land of my birth’,” he urged as he quoted from several national festival songs.

The event saw the participation of uniformed groups and cultural performances from Artistry in Motion, the William Knibb Memorial High School, and other home based performers.