
JAMAICA HAS BEEN SET BACK BY “MENTAL SLAVERY” – Marlene Daley
It never fails to bring a smile to my face as I watch my dearly beloved people post sunsets on social media as if it rises and sets in its magnificent beauty only over the island of Jamaica. While it is imperative for us to do all we can to promote our little slice of paradise we should soon get around to accepting that the shape and geographical beauty of our hills, its contours, valleys and the beauty of our people are the only features on a physical level that are still unique and outstanding about the island. While some may not agree, if you think about it, our culture is just as indigenous as any other. Reggae can be enjoyed in any corner of the world, oxtail, salt fish and ackee can be prepared wherever you choose to have it and the Rasta culture with its proclaimed consciousness can be found everywhere on the planet as well. It has been 178 years since the Emancipation of Slavery in Jamaica and 54 years since Jamaica gained independence from Britain. Can we now truly, after half a century, hold Britain responsible for our lackluster economic performance, the untapped wealth of creativity within our people or our failure to exploit and use our own resources ahead of the rest of world? We have sat back and watched as individuals from other countries capitalize on our creative ideas despite having geniuses within our midst. History will show that we have struggled with the