Jamaicans echo ‘stronger together’ Emancipation message
By Vinette K. Pryce
“Emancipate yourself from
mental slavery: none but ourselves
can free our minds” …
Bob Marley, ‘Redemption
Song’
Jamaicans exhibited pride
in their nation’s 59 years of
independence and 103 anniversary
years since emancipation
from slavery by fashioning the
black, green and gold colors
of their flag — wearing head
to toe banner outfits — but it
was the “Stronger Together”
messaging that resonated most
during the Aug. 1 Emancipation
Day thanksgiving service
in Queens.
It was like a Jamaica Easter
Parade inside the Immaculate
Conception Monastery Church
near Jamaica Estates as women
wore colorful fascinators, hats,
dresses and skirts; men accessorized
their suits sporting
bow-ties, baseball caps, socks,
shoes, belts, masks and other
accoutrements to reflect patriotism
and pride in nation.
However, a message from
Leslie Campbell, Jamaica’s foreign
affairs minister quickly
sobered joviality set by Bishop
Cecil G. Riley, who officiated
the service.
“Take the vaccine” the visiting
minister urged, “to those
who resist…science is against
you…”
His unscripted message
amplified the theme of Emancipendence
Caribbean L 8 ife, AUGUST 6-12, 2021
and preceded greetings
from Prime Minister
Andrew Holness he was tasked
to deliver to diasporans on his
first official visit to New York
City.
“We have the legacy of our
forefathers to be masters of our
destiny. “we will not allow this
virus to rob us of our sustained
and inclusive economy…”
Seemingly in agreement
with the advice, applause from
the mask-wearing congregation
thundered throughout the
decorated, cavernous cathedral.
Prior to entering, all guests
were instructed to wear masks.
They were given a temperature
check and squirts of hand sanitizing
along with CDC advisory
on emergent variants of the
virus. Jamaica Nurses Group
of New York, the first formed
Caribbean nursing organization
in the US founded in
1962 is also celebrating its 59
years as Jamaica’s Independence.
Members took charge of
COVID protocols at the service.
In attendance were Dr. Claudette
McFarquhar, president,
Claudette Powell, Marlene Lofter
Dinham, Jennifer McDonald,
Winsome Clarkeand other
members.
A prayer for frontline workers
from Dr. Sandra Lindsay
addressed the devastation of
COVID-19 over the past 18
months. And her pleas for
“guidance in directing our
steps” tempered hesitation
some may harbor about being
vaccinated.
Dr. Lindsay was first in the
nation to take the vaccine when
it first became available. The
Jamaican immigrant serves as
director of patient care — critical
care at the Long Island Jewish
Medical Center.
On Emancipation Day she
replaced her scrubs with a fashion
forward fascinator, green
dress and gold scarf to chorus
prayers for frontline workers.
Her message echoed those
of the minister of state whose
portfolio also includes diaporan
affairs.
Her last words were: “we
shall overcome this pandemic…”
Other prayers included
those for national heroes, for
the oppressed, the youth, the
incarcerated, the island’s political
leaders and the island and
its diasporans here.
Each read by community
representatives, dignitaries
included Cong. Yvette Clarke
and mother Una, Assemblymembers
Kevin Parker and
Leroy Comrie, Consuls from
Barbados, and South Africa,
the mayor of Mount Vernon,
Anguilla’s director of tourism,
a representative from the office
of the borough president of
queens, and Jamaica’s Consul
General, Alsion Wilson.
CG Wilson used the opportunity
to inform about partnerships
she has established since
taking the position of representing
Jamaican nationals in
the tri-state area.
She opined about a sister/sister
agreement to unite towns;
an exchange program to benefit
30 students, joint NY and
Jamaica stock exchange successes,
and spoke at length
about the consul’s outreach to
vaccinate 500 individuals.
She said the island could realize
its full potential by embracing
the “stronger together” initiative
which she said would
“make Jamaica a place to work,
live and do business.”
Dr. Sandra Lindsay. Photo by
Vinette K. Pryce
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