How did I find this blog? I typed “The Real Jamaica” in the google search line.

I have read the blog and believe it to be an accurate, well-rounded perspective of the area the blogger visited. I have also read several of the posts, and would take issue that people think the blogger was being judgemental or narrow-minded. Certainly everyone has a different perspective, but the picture that Jamaica wants to present to the world is just as much a lie as the picture America wants to present. Or maybe that is in the eye of the beholder. Americans don’t say there is no poor, but it sure isn’t the job of the government to take care of them…that belongs to the Church and they’ve done a POOR JOB.

Anyway, personally, from the moment we started our hour and a half drive to the resort in Ocho Rios, I was under conviction as to what I really believe. I read, ” For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Paul’s very words to his beloved Timothy are also His words to me as I call Him Lord and Savior. I also say this…but do I believe it? It was there before me on one side of the road, while the exact opposite “I want all inclusive booze, food and partying if you expect me to visit your country on vacation” was on the other…and stangely enough, those who were on the “all inclusive” side did not often smile or laugh, except at the expense of others. They sought to comfort their flesh with more than food and raiment. However, those who lived on the other side, often times smile at the most simple of life’s pleasures and don’t need booze or gambling to “have a good time.”

In case you are prone to judge me, that I am narrow-minded as well, I want you to know that I am not ignorant of extreme poverty, I just was not aware that in Jamaica such was the case. Also, ask yourself what you think “extreme poverty” means. Many may say they are rich, but they are poor, wretched and blind….

The Jamaican people that I met, the “real” ones, not the ones that worked at the resort who plastered on a smile, (who knows if it were real or not?) are people just like anyone growing up poor. They live and die, love and hate, laugh and cry just like EVERYONE. They have known poverty their entire life and don’t know any different. That is just the way things are. They are allowed to look at “the rich,” but they sure can’t walk on that side of the street, literally.

I was not prepared for the contrast, and spent the entire first day of our vacation weeping, as did my husband.

Why did we weep? Because we were being convicted. Do we believe what we read and say? Do you, dear brother or sister in Christ? How could we enjoy a vacation in extravagance while literally on the other side of the concentration-like camp fense people were waiting for a crumb…….

Jamaica is a truly beautiful place in one sense, and one of the most ugly places in another…but that is no different than anywhere else in the world.

Thank you for posting this blog.

Other countries, the U.S. included would be better served to remember the Jamaican motto: Out of many; One people

The statement you made about women getting beat and children not knowing their daddy. That is not our sociatal norm. You might have ran into some uneducated women every culture have them. I’ve seen white American trailer parks.
Jamaica don’t have a welfare system that encourages women to deny the fathers so they can get a bigger check. Most Jamaicans can even trace their family history back 4 generation which includes a mom and dad. That issues is very American.

Many of the poor in Jamaica are drug addicts, teenage mothers, orphans who grew up and uneducated. Jamaica is a different world! The culture and standard are different. We are a truly intergrated diverse population. All races are able to contribute to the well being of the entire Island. I am a Jamaican of Portuguese Jewish heritage. I went to Temple in Jamaica before I migrated to the US.

I too never heard of the “German” Seaftown you mention. Despite all the ads you see in the US and England there are other ethnic groups in Jamaica. We consider ourselves just as Jamaican as everyone else. Some groups are new to the island and some been here since the 1800’s. All Jamaicans are not RASTA.

Yes, Jamaica is more classist than America, but America is more racist. Americans have more of a hang up on color, look at their view of interracial couples. Yes, Jamaica is Anit-Gay…that will never change. If Americans try to Americanize our country to be more GAY FRIENDLY, I’m sorry to say many blood will be shed. Please read our history. Jamaica was once a part of Britian. Research our history on what is proper behavior for adults.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070211/letters/letters1.html

LETTER OF THE DAY: An open letter to Montego Bay:Jamaica - a paradise found…
published: Sunday | February 11, 2007

The Editor, Sir:

This is a quick thank you to the city of Montego Bay for the wonderful hospitality shown to my wife and me during our stay inyour city during the end of January and into February we stayed on the ‘Hip Strip’ and were in the heart of things most of the time. We had stayed previously on another part of the island at an ‘all-inclusive’, and while it was certainly very nice, it was somewhat ‘plastic’ and lacking the flavour of the people.

We found that this time, from the pork pit to the all-night street parties, the vibrant nature of Jamaica shone through. The staff at the Doctor’s Cave beach were tremendous, every day. We got to know one of the attendants a bit and he ended up taking us, on his day off, to Negril. He asked nothing for this, and we were treated to a tremendous day trip. Wayne should be commended for his pride in Jamaica and its people.

We were fortunate to meet sister Hazel Dalley as well. In the short time we got to know her and her staff at Dalley’s shop on Gloucester, we were truly treated like family. Her walls are covered with commendations and awards from far and wide; it is very obvious why. She is a fine woman.

I met a young man named David, who had one leg. We talked like old friends one morning, early, when I went for my walk. Again, he asked for nothing, only my company. I learned about his country and he about mine. Trust me, I am not nave. I know the difference between whether I am being hustled or not.

STRUGGLING WITH VIOLENCE

Much is sometimes made of Jamaica’s struggles with violence. Some people here in Canada even asked us why we would take the risk of vacationing in Jamaica. Certainly January was a difficult month for violence.

My wife and I have travelled extensively in the world. The answer is this: some of the finest people I have ever met, anywhere, were in Jamaica. The kindness, the genuine nature of their personalities, the strong spiritual strength that was exuded by everything that they did, made them such a pleasure to be associated with.

Reading The Gleaner every day, with the letters and editorials, it was obvious that Jamaica abounds with persons of this sort - fine, upstanding people who only want the best for their country and countrymen and women. The struggles are there, to be sure. Nuisance drug dealers abound, which takes away from the beauty of the city. Violence, however, encapsulated within small areas, cannot be tolerated. Poverty rears its head often.

Yet, the beauty of Jamaica and especially its people, overwhelms all of that. I speak as a police officer of 21 years service here in Canada, who has seen much. My wife is a nurse with similar years of service. We could likely be accused at times of being jaded by what we have seen; yet we see the beauty in our own city and nation, every day.

Jamaica is a paradise - and not a paradise lost - but found. We will be back soon.

I am, etc.,

CURTIS KEMP

ckemp@polce.regina.sk.ca

Regina, Canada

I hope to go back to JA next february with my son who’s mother comes from Italy.

Out of many, one people.

While there is poverty, there is also a large working class population in Jamaica, not all are impoverished. Not all are poor black people starving their families and beating their wives. Some people are just simple country people who do what they can to survive. They help their neighbours and thier friends. Others are incredibly well educated teachers and mentors. Others still, are inovative business persons who start small..yes even on the street side (what we call higglers) and when they get enough money start something bigger and better. There are many in the private and public sector who are fighting to improve the lot of all jamaicans by attracting investment into the sector and trying to reduce poverty and crime.

The Jamaicans I know have a beauty of spirit and of strength that many in the world should envy. We live in an inclusive world, largely accepting of different religeons and peoples….Christian, Jews, Rastafarians, Muslims, Hindus and others live here in peace….In Jamaica there is a tradition here of helping your neighbour and jamaicans are amoung the friendliest people in the world. It is true that many jamaicans are homophobic but that is a state of mind that exists everywhere in the world not just Jamaica and there are many of us here that are not homophobic.

We are a country of mixed peoples and we are proud of this fact. Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many One People” I am a Jamaican of mixed parentage and I my self am mixed with east indian, Scotish, french, black and east Indian. My husband was white Jamaican. Jamaicans come in many colors, sizes and shapes.

Yes there is crime… but where oh where… do you go to avoid crime??? Crime is an offshoot of poverty, illiteratcy,ignorance and the drug trade. These are factors which exist everywhere. Jamaica is no exception.

You saw poor and no middle class. It might suprise you to know that while yes our middle class is a small part of the population and was depleted in the migration of the seventies it still exists and is growing though slowly. Growing areas like Portmore, Linsted and May Pen are replete with office workers and middle managers that work in Kingston….. What is now needed is more foriegn investment and oportunities for the working class to take them into the world of the middle class.

As to the ridiculous statement that there are only 3 high schools in Kingston…what a silly and unsubstantiated comment to make. I can name ten right off the bat….before making such sweeping statements you should check your facts.

Jamaica is very diverse, to the contrary of what you stated. There are Chinese Jamaicans, Lebanese Jamaicans, Indian Jamaicans (real Indians from East India, not the Native Americans that you call Indians), European Jamaicans, Syrians, and many mixtures in between. Jamaica’s motto is “Out of many, one people”. Most people who haven’t taken the time to learn more about Jamaica often erroneously believe that all Jamaicans are black when this isn’t the case. You would be very surprised to know that some Jamaican-born people are white as the driven snow, some more so than in the US. I happen to be a white Jamaican, blonde and blue-eyed, and I’ve never been to Seafordtown. I’ve lived both in Europe and the US, but my folks are simple country people. It’s never been tough as a white person in Jamaica because I’m part of the culture and I don’t look down on anyone. I suppose it was somewhat of a culture shock, an eye opener, because you seem to harp on race throughout bits of the article. In Jamaica, this isn’t an issue like in the United States. There is a caste system in terms of poverty/wealth and fair-skinned Jamaicans are sometimes favored more, but most Jamaicans look at everyone the same, none of this “you’re white, I’m black” stuff. They’re helpful but they won’t kiss anyone’s butt over skin color.

It is true that there has been extreme violence in Jamaica…this has been happening since the late 80’s but has increased since about 1994. Most of it stems from poverty, unemployment, drugs, or simply fooling with the wrong person. It is no different from what happens in poverty-stricken ghettos of the US…except that Jamaicans have far fewer opportunities to improve their lives. You said your brother has been helping people there, no? That is wonderful and he should be commended. I know you went there on vacation, but out of curiosity, what did you learn from the experience of being in Jamaica? I will agree wholeheartedly that there is need in this world…but that one should not only be an observer in the plight of others. See, it is somewhat annoying when poorer people won’t back off from a tourist’s perspective but you should realize that this is what their livelihood depends on. I’m sure that if more opportunities were available in Jamaican society, these people would build better lives for themselves. And the truth is that although many Jamaicans battle poverty and crime, many of them are basically happy people. They believe in hard work and standing up for their rights as human beings.

You were right in that Jamaica is a very homophobic society. This is how it has always been. Same-sex marriage is a no-no in Jamaica. Displays of affection between two people of the same sex is viewed as unnatural and unlawful. Homophobia often leads to murder in Jamaica, sometimes like the US (remember Matthew Shepard)?