Recent events in Jamaica involving returning residents might have weakened the resolve of fellow Jamaicans who have plans to relocate home or just planning a visit. Wild rumors and speculation have been fueled by voice and video posts on social media, leading to fear-mongering by those purporting to have the âfactsâ, misguided advice, and in some cases downright disloyalty to country by those urging Jamaicans to stay away from their homeland.
There is no pattern or conclusive evidence that returning Jamaican residents are being targeted by criminal elements. If there is indeed a pattern to be discerned, it would appear that in virtually every case the violent ends suffered by the decedents were as a result of domestic disputes of one kind or another. There is absolutely no basis for the assertion that returning residents and visitors are being randomly targeted and rather than discouraging Jamaicans from visiting, investing and relocating to the very comforts that these naysayers enjoy, they should be encouraging and helping Jamaicans to make their return and stay in the country a safe and comfortable one.
While it is the responsibility of the government of Jamaica to provide a safe and secure environment for ALL its citizens, and that of the police to serve and protect, every Jamaican has the first responsibility to protect his or her own life and those around them as well as their property. Jamaicans should therefore be no less vigilant about their own safety when visiting home as they are in their adopted countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has attempted to assuage the fears of Jamaicans wishing to return home by belatedly producing a 20-page Safety and Security Handbook entitled Welcome Home: Your Safety and Security Guide to Resettling in Jamaica. It was developed as a collaborative effort with the Ministry of National Security and the Jamaica Constabulary Force and can be downloaded from the link below:
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD HANDBOOK
While the Handbook gives useful advice and everyday common sense tips, it is more likely to be treated as a reference handbook rather than a practical day to day manual to guide visitor/resident activities. It therefore has little or no use in guiding human relations, which we believe is at the heart of much of what is seen as the targeting of returning residents. What is far more important is for our returning and visiting Jamaicans to be given a full understanding of the ways in which the country has changed (in the case of the older folk) and what are some of the new and less desirable social mores that currently influence behaviour especially among young persons.
Jamaica is one of the happiest places in the world and Jamaicans are among the most hospitable, friendly helpful people to be found anywhere. Jamaica has not changed in these essential qualities and Jamaicans will welcome the visitor or returning resident whether to the local bar, a party or a closed social gathering often without question. But there are pockets of disaffected and frustrated Jamaicans whose low self-esteem often makes them sensitive to any perceived slight or disrespect. For these youths and other underachieving older folk, it takes very little for them to conclude that they have been â dissedâ and their often violent reaction is usually totally out of proportion to the perceived wrong especially by one with a foreign accent.
This is a Jamaican reality so âbe careful not fearfulâ.
A stern warning from Jamaicaglobalonline.com is for returning residents and visitors to avoid cutting corners in trying to get things done when in Jamaica. Do not be lured into accepting offers even from relatives who âknow a manâ who can get things done faster and cheaper instead of going the official route. It is true that certain wheels turn more slowly in Jamaica than in the US or Canada but with adequate advance information and preparation, many of the permits relating to births, deaths, passport and immigration, building permits, and trade licenses etc. are now being processed faster and more efficiently than in the past. In many cases, applications that do not require the physical presence and proof of identification of the applicant can be downloaded and submitted online and completed when the visitor is actually in the island, sometimes in a matter of days. It is when things go wrong with the âunofficialâ arrangements that there is potential for conflict and disagreement, sometimes ending in violent confrontation between the one who believes he has been shortchanged in an unsuccessful transaction on the one hand, or the provider who belatedly thinks his services are valued higher than the original price agreed on the other.Â
The doom and gloom being broadcast by disaffected and misguided Jamaicans over recent events affecting returning residents give the impression that there are no happy, safe and thriving returnees. Fay Salmon-Lord repatriated to Jamaica in 2011 with her Canadian-born husband Robert after being away for 46 years and has had no regrets. âThis is our homeâ, she declares. âJamaica is awesome; its been great.âÂ
Roy Brown left Jamaica for England at 18 years old and returned to settle in Clarendon 40 years later. While he has no regrets about returning to Jamaica, Brown is troubled by the crime problem as are all well-thinking Jamaicans. âIt is troubling and I must admit it is unnerving but it is not enough to have me running. I love my country and I am still happy to be hereâ. Speaking of his return, Aubrey Mason said âI have never given up on Jamaica and I was basically hungry to return home. Since returning to Jamaica I became involved in community work. So far I have assisted in getting a post office in the community and I am fully focusing on getting funding for the construction of two classrooms at the local primary school in Portland where I now liveâ.
Read Aubrey Mason’s Story Here
The value of these testimonials is to show how both the returnees and their communities benefit from the presence of the Jamaican returning resident. It gives the returnees renewed purpose and the opportunity to serve their own people while the community gets the benefit of their wisdom, experience and guidance – qualities often born out of hardship and suffering in a foreign land. Is this what the naysayers want to deny Jamaicans, whether in the prime or the evenings of their lives?
‘All Ah We A One’; Jamaican Diaspora or home on the Rock