Contributed
In 1838, an estimated 450,000 slaves had to leave their residences on the plantation. They therefore became squatters with no abiding city. Some churches, such as the Baptists, acquired land to settle the newly freed slaves.
Most communities named towns have that history, for example, Browns Town, Bethel Town, and York Town.
Fast forward to 2025, and we now have about 1.5 million squatters. The Jamaican ancestry of slaves makes up 98% of the population, but owns no more than 5% of the Jamaican economy.
Always those who have economic power have real political power (the ability to do things in their own interest within the society).
The mainly non-Black members of the population, 1-2%, own 95% of the economy.
As Emancipation is celebrated, the descendants of slaves in Jamaica must ask the following questions.
Are we the descendants of those 450,000 from 1838 who were either emancipated or ever gained independence?
Contributed by
mics 🖊 pen
Editor's Note
Some of us have become modern-day backra massa. We continue to treat our workers poorly by having people work for many decades, calling them 'contract workers,' and depriving them of certain benefits.
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Surely we are but this pen ya will make us look into ourselves and pick the right way forward.
ReplyDeleteMi nuh fraid fi talk mi is a real
squatters want some Emancipation an independence.
Mi bruk.like dawg today enuh and want some Independence.
That's the situation of most of the black slave descendant population niether Emancipated or gained Independence.
ReplyDeleteEmancipation and Independence for most Jamaicans is one big dancing period.
ReplyDeleteHow can we change the thing to real independence and Emancipation.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot be one big duncehall celebration.
Very eyeopening narratives above.
ReplyDeleteThose who have ears to hear and eyes to see let them hear and see.
ReplyDeleteWe can elevate ourselves if we get serious about life. My friend started life by selling banana chips and peanuts to school canteens. Then he started buying used cars, fixing them up and re-sell. Today he's got 2 cars, and the old van that he still uses for delivery, and a piece of land worth $13 million, and approved plans for construction of a 5 bedroom house.
ReplyDeleteHow? By being humble, business-like and honest. Same people who laughed after him for selling banana chips and peanuts now begging him for loans!!
He turned his back on the parties, " name brand', flashy dressing and jewelry lifestyle, kept his pants above his ass! Customers admired his neat appearance and referred him to other companies.
We need to wake up and stop blaming others and "the system"