“Out of Many, One People”

From Jean Lowrie-Chin's column - Jamaica Observer - 16 Jan 2012

I remember well those two occasions when I was privileged to sit in our National Stadium to hear MLK congratulate Jamaica on her oneness, and many years later, to hear Nelson Mandela look at the bouquet of people of every possible shade in the stands and declare, “Today is the happiest day in my life!’ Jamaicans have hybrid strength from the intermingling of various ethnic groups and there is nowhere in the world that enjoys our high level of racial harmony.

So let us vehemently reject Carolyn Cooper’s declaration that those of us whose ancestors did not hail from Africa, are mere ‘minorities’. While I enjoy Carolyn’s vigorous style, she is just plain wrong to suggest that we missed the mark with our motto ‘Out of Many One People’.

And what is this crazy accusation of racism in the selection of those featured in the Observer’s ‘Page Two’? The Gleaner was big enough to publish an apology for this unwarranted attack. If my memory serves me right, Carolyn herself has been carried on Page Two in one of her beautiful African outfits!

In this Golden Jubilee Year of Jamaica’s Independence, we will not countenance any attempt to divide the beautiful people of this blessed land.