Here is a response I wrote to a note written on Facebook by an associate of mine, who was lauding and rightly congratulating Jamaicans for being pioneers in so many fields. So, having no shame, I used the opportunity to write this Blog, and thus remind myself as well as others we still have work to do. : ).
It is most apparent that Jamaicans are very proud and loyal to their country, their fellow Jamaicans, and are proud to be Jamaicans. However, let is not rest on our laurels. There is so much to be done. Using this as a jumping board, I have a started a project "Arts as An Educational Option For Schools In Jamaica and with over a hundred fans, I get little or no response. Months ago I asked for the subjects taught in the schools now, and after quite a few pleas, still not one has answered. If you visit the page, which I will send, you will see what is being attempted here. Not all of our children in Jamaica are cut out or want ot be attorneys and Doctors, but there are no option for dance, music etc. being taught as part of the curriculum, so with no exposure, how will our children know if that is where their talent, or preference, or both lie. I have a plan all laid out between the page and the blog, but I need time and I need feedback from someone living in JA so I can attempt to carry out (hopefully with some help, a petition of enoromous magnitude coming from the children, (along with essays), the teachers, the parents, and the families and friends - basically everyone!! It can be done - and the more people petitioning with justifcation accompanying their petitions, than the harder it is to get put on the back burner. I will send the link in a separate comment. MC, I apologise for intruding with my plea - but I am sure you will agree it is a worthwhile cause, and I am determined to carry it through to fruition, AND have enough documented petitions to have the matter at least merit consideration by the Ministry of Education. At the moment, all I need is a telephone book from Jamaica so I can write the principal, and get the names and addresses of the teachers from the Principal, and take it from there - and I just need to know the subjects that are currently being taught.
I think the majority of us on this note are in the same boat - in that we live abroad.I know - I will send personal emails to people I know in JA asking for the telephone book and the list of classes for my Christmas present. If not, then when I get myself financially straight again (little recession blues and couple hurdles) I will just have to travel down there and go from school to school. :)
Anyone who knows me well enough knows I WILL do it ----
Sorry again MC -- but just think, you will one day meet a famous opera singer from the first Jamaican Opera, and she will tell you of this crazy five foot woman who went to every school appealing for letters and essays, and called in some favors, and then had the nerve to go and sit outside Jamaica House until Brucie met with her for tea, and that was how the arts became part of the curriculum, and that is why she is the lead opera singer in the opera that you and Janet wrote the storyline for. And neither you or Janet will believe that anyone could be so crazy and you will tell the young lady to hurry up and get ready to put on her costume to go and perform, and stop making up stories. :) ...
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