Black in the Union Jack Ain’t for Me.

Black in the Union Jack Ain’t for Me.

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots"...Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

Born and raised in Lewisham South London. I was Jamaican when I as a fetus, Jamaican when my mum gave birth to me. I was soooooo Jamaican. I got licks when I couldn’t name the National heroes, licks when I couldn’t name the parishes, and more licks when I could not recount word perfect my maternal heritage which started on a ship that sailed from some random part of India. I gotta a couple licks when I could not recite the Jamaican National Anthem as well! I was Jamaican that is all I ever knew.

My upbringing was not that different to cousins who remained on the Island, those that went to Canada or the USA, except however, my sister and I were the only ones who watched Indian movies, had traditional Indian dance classes before they became popular. That’s right before Bollywood blew up!

I was never English or British, I was Jamaican. When I went to Jamaica I was English. When I tried to defend my identity I was laughed at, “g’way gyal, yuh ah English – which part ah yuh born ah Jamaica?” Despite the fact I could understand patois and speak enough (real patois) to get by undetected; I could wash (by hand and make that sound too) cook and clean like a godden and I knew more about Jamaica then they did! It was still considered not to be enough.

Outside of my Jamaican home in London, I did not belong. At school my head master cordially reminded me, “Just because a dog is born in a barn, does not make it a horse.” That rang loud and clear.

I DID NOT BELONG ANYWHERE – JAMAICA DID NOT WANT ME HOW I WANTED OR NEEDED IT TOO AND ENGLAND DIDN’T GIVE A S**T!

I was only considered English at best when Tony Blair came to power in 1996. All Inclusive Britain – wow! I was well impressed! However, by that time I had forged my own identity with in the Jamaican Diaspora, I was an English-Jamaican and that I will remain until the day I die. British Politricks were 46 years toooooo late for me. I exist in that realm and am happy and proud to revel in it.

Yeah Jamaica dissed me in the early years. It was necessary because I am not Jamaican in the same way Jamaican Jamaicans are. I will add, Jamaicans over the globe have never let me down, anywhere there is a Jamaican I am at home – kin language and culture - because quintessentially I am Jamaican, albeit a different kind.

Black British is no more than a political identity for me, that's why black in the Union Jack ain't for me.

- goodersgirl

For more log onto www.blackbritsusa.com