Dear Citizens of Jamaica,

Our heritage is dying a slow and painful death. Apart from our national holidays where we gyrate and celebrate I do not see the legacy that was left by our ancestor being carried on by my generation therefore no much is left for the young ones to appreciate. Our young generation has lost respect for our elders, for national emblems, monuments and lacks knowledge of our history. Some are created in unstable homes where they receive lack of nurturing and then they are unleashed on society. Others are trying to find their purpose, making their way to school with little or no lunch monies, acquiring subjects then asked by employers to have experience when they are just leaving high school.  Our country is made up of so many talented people and until we learn how to capitalize on the various activities that does not require book knowledge I am afraid we will continue to move backward instead of forward.

A country can not grow if we do not instill in our citizens the importance of supporting our local businesses. A Large percentage of all fruits and vegetables we purchase in Jamaica; among other things are imported. These are produce we grow and could grow here in JAMAICA! Instead of buying produce that has traveled across the sea, why not spend some of our monies on products that have been manufactured locally and grown locally? They taste fresher and the more importantly it benefits our local businesses. When citizens buy and support local businesses it means our money goes directly into our country and help these businesses to grow and maintain sustainability in the market. Buying local products also creates much needed jobs for our citizens. We call upon the government for everything and we hold them accountable when they do not perform to our standards but before we can further chastise them we need to chastise ourselves. We ignore our entrepreneurs and constantly fill our trolleys with imported items dressed in clothing and shoes from various parts of the world instead of supporting our locals. I am in no way saying we are to boycott the goods and services from other countries, I am simply asking us to balance the trolleys when we shop, purchase the clothing and wear our brands proudly.

Our local craft industry is suffering. As usual we “swips” pass the craft vendors in fern gully because we still harbor the thought that these business are for “tourist”. We need to support these businesses more often and not rely on tourist to visit our island and make the necessary purchases. How many of us own a piece of handmade craft hung or placed in a corner  decorating our homes? How many of us ventured to the craft market and purchase such items to give as gifts on mother's day or Christmas?

We have allowed this to happen. Yes, every single one of us is responsible. We did not carry on that flame that our ancestors have left us, we no longer feel that burning in our "belly bottoms" to turn things around and see what we can do to play our part. We only learn to appreciate our country when we travel overseas and experience the harsh reality of working three or four jobs in freezing temperatures; we come home and at the airports we fall to our knees thanking God for Jamaica. 

Let us not take our paradise for granted but in our little way find ways to support each other; buying more local produce, wearing more local brands which include jewellery, shoes and clothing. Let us support each other, Life tuff but wi no haffi play so ruff....

I am Jamaican and I am Proud to be a JAMAICAN

ARE YOU?