Several August celebrations are on tap to mark the 63rd anniversary year of Jamaica’s independence.
From humble thanksgiving church services slated in northern, southern, midwestern, and diasporan hubs across the nation, to grand galas feted from the pinnacle of a famous landmark, the first Caribbean island to attain self-governance is being regaled for maintaining principles aspired and envied.
Revelry began with Emancipation Day commemoration on the first day of the month. Folk singers and theatrical groupings reenacted the ancestral connections with the continent of Africa and the trans-continental journey that displaced ship loads to the Caribbean region.
Following that, Emancipendence connected two historic milestone events for celebrations marking the Aug. 6, 1962 Independence Day achievement.
Floridians flaunted both exhibiting cultural appreciation by inviting NY-based BRAATA singers and dancers to demonstrate meaningful interpretations of the timeframe.
Jubilees were held in towns and parishes across the island.
Giving thanks for endurance through adversity seemed a predominant feature this month throughout each state as church services sermonized the advancements.
The Jamaica Consulate in Miami announced a Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service held on Aug. 3 at the Cooper City Church of God and the Faith Place Church.
There, the theme amplified a message — “Jamaica 63 — Be Proud, Be Bold.”
In New Jersey, the Community Baptist Church promise a later engagement on Aug. 10 at 9:30 am.
A hoisting of the black, gold and green banner diverted from the usual pattern of anniversary simulation to an Aug. 4 gathering at Bowling Green in Manhattan on Monday.
And an alternative gala slates ‘The Official People’s Ball’ boasted by Jamaica Independence Foundation, Inc. (JIFINYC) on Saturday, using a message as their signature mission that ‘united we stand, independent we thrive,’ organizers promise to deliver a black-tie worthy assembly on Aug. 9 at Terrace On The Park in Queens.
From the site of the 1965 Worlds Fair in Flushing Meadow Park, they plan to honor James Haynes with the development award for his contribution to youth and education, Christopher Martin with the reggae ambassador honor; and also pay tribute to ska ambassador Alphanso Machado Castro.
The posthumous recognition will regale his pioneering dance reign when he displayed “legs” as a bonafide dance form.
Now deceased, the showman first distinguished by his performances at the popular Teenage Dance Party sessions in Kingston rose to become the elder dance sensation to perform at the Rumsey Playfield during the annual Central Park.
Perhaps, the regarded traditional gala highlight of the birthday revelry is expected to find pride on parade with expats, nationals and associates dressed to the nines in the colors of the country for a fete billed “Party With A Purpose.”
Presented by the Consulate General of Jamaica on Aug. 23, the official independence gala will honor Adam Stewart, Audrey Tugwell-Henry, Anthony Munroe, Rita Marley, Gregory Fischer, Henry Duffus, Patricia Chin and James Alston.
Performances by Nadine Sutherland, Sharon Marley, Big Youth and Skip Marley is expected to highlight the celebration from the New York Marriot Marquis Hotel.
Queen’s resident Habte Selassie, WBAI radio host of the program “Labbrish” recently reflected on the milestone achievement of his birth island by recalling the diverse itinerary he celebrated with his family on the first Independence Day.
“Imagine that, 63 years has come and gone,” he commented.
The father of a son who lives in Berlin; sister Myrna Johnson, residing in Australia, a cousin named Yvette Ewart in New Zealand, a brother in the Midwest, daughter in North Carolina and family spread thin throughout the world, Selassie’s family members seem to demonstrate the true meaning of their motto — ‘Out of Many, One.’
“We live free.”
Reportedly, this month nationals from the island/nation domiciled throughout the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and particularly immigrants to Britain, Canada and the United States will boast their heritage and culture with pride.
Aug. 6 marks 60-year anniversary of Voting Rights Act
It’s been six decades since President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed legislation prohibiting discrimination in voting.
According to a report from the White House, ‘The problem of voting rights was not something the African-American community should bear alone. Instead, all citizens needed to consider it as their cause.’
Designed to secure rights for disfranchised Americans banned from voting in America, the Aug. 6, 1965 revision to the 14th amendment abolished quotas, outlawed literacy tests and implemented the appointment of federal examiners.
“A man without a vote is a man without protection,” President Lyndon Baines Johnson said in a speech during the era.
He also told a gathering:”It is wrong — deadly wrong — to deny any of of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country.”
The Democrat who succeeded President John Fitzgerald Kennedy following his assassination poignantly pointed to discrimination and other southern Jim Crow laws which prohibited Black participation in electing representatives. Simultaneous to the period Caribbean and African countries challenged their colonial leaders, President Johnson enabled change in America by enforcing revisions to the Constitution.
One year before his voting rights decision President Johnson delivered another sobering message on human rights.
“No memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honor President Kennedy’s memory than the earliest possible passage of the civil rights bill for which he fought so long.”
Delivered five days after the Nov. 22, 1963 assassination of JFK, LBJ, the successor called on Congress to act with haste.
Pres. Johnson is credited with signing the transformative document on July 2, 1964.
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