Jamaicans Proud and Free for Independence

As islandwide Independence celebrations move into high gear, Jamaicans are expressing pride in the country’s achievements over the last 53 years.

In a vox pop carried out by the JIS recently to garner the public’s views on the Independence theme: Proud and Free!’, Jamaica 53,’ persons said there is much for which Jamaicans can be proud.

They point to the accomplishments in sports and culture, which have brought the country international recognition.  The need was cited for more to be done to create jobs and opportunities for the youth.

The reactions were as follows:

Adrian Henriques, student:

“It is an appropriate theme because we are celebrating, of course, 53 years of Independence. Though we may not have accomplished all of what we wanted, we still accomplished a lot on the local scale and the global scale. We have our athletes; we have Bob Marley and quite a number of other persons too.”

Martia Sparks, self-employed:

“As a Jamaican, there are many things to be proud of. With the Reggae Boyz historic win over the United States, that is something that made me proud. Our prowess on the track and not just that, there are other outstanding Jamaicans. There are other things that do not make us proud, however.”

Janet Patrick, Accountant:

“I think it is a fitting theme. As Jamaicans we are proud and we always feel free to do what we want, so yes I do believe it is a fitting theme.”

Quewan Kelly, Security Officer:

“We are not proud and free. More jobs and opportunities would make us proud and free and the youth having more work and money accumulating.”

Jerome Burke, mechanic:

“Jamaica, from we get Independence until now, we are proud. It is in the way we help one another and uplift ourselves.”

Findly Foster, microbiologist:

“To say we are proud and free, we can work with it. Bob (Marley) and Usain (Bolt), they have brought our name around the world. We need to work on our freedom.”