The recent general elections conducted in Jamaica on December 29th, 2011 will go down in history as a significant day for more than one reasons. Never in the history of the country has there been an election as peaceful and it is the first ever that Jamaicans duly elect a female, the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller to govern their country. Jamaica Election Day 2011 was also the sixteenth conducted in the country. The newly elected People’s National Party (PNP) which forms the government has won nine of the sixteen elections with three consecutively from 1982-92 by former Prime Minister PJ Patterson.
Another historic moment that emerged at the peak of election season was the staging of STING 2011 dubbed, ‘The Greatest One Night Show on Earth.’ For those who are not informed about this event, STING is the most highly anticipated Reggae/Dancehall event held in Jamaica on Boxing Day, December 26th of each year. This event showcases a multiplicity of talents ranging from the best to the least and is well attended or viewed. It was widely felt, that the risk of staging the concert two days before the general elections might result in low attendance by patrons, but it was not so for this show which was titled this year as, ‘RUMOURS OF WAR!’ With all the odds against it, the Supreme Promotions teamed pulled it off and without the popular Dancehall stars like Vybz Kartel and Mavado who many also felt had to be headliners for the event to attract a huge crowd. As it turned out, STING 2011 was well attended and free of incidents.
Jamaicans won when they showed the world in both scenarios (elections and STING) that violence does not depict who the people are. Over the years the elections and this particular event have registered moments in history that have tarnished the image of the country or its people. One might argue that the event was to a far lesser extent and indeed this is so. Now when both have done well, when the people of the country have demonstrated their maturity as it relates to conducting themselves in these instances when it matters most, much must be made of this.
Many Jamaicans home and abroad have suffered or been ridiculed due to the outcome of these events over the years and have always been placed on the defensive in reference to their homeland, this is unfortunate. But a time has come where the world have seen that the land of wood and water, home of ‘out of many one people’ have matured and come a far way. Jamaicans in Jamaica? You all have won! Congratulations!!
Another historic moment that emerged at the peak of election season was the staging of STING 2011 dubbed, ‘The Greatest One Night Show on Earth.’ For those who are not informed about this event, STING is the most highly anticipated Reggae/Dancehall event held in Jamaica on Boxing Day, December 26th of each year. This event showcases a multiplicity of talents ranging from the best to the least and is well attended or viewed. It was widely felt, that the risk of staging the concert two days before the general elections might result in low attendance by patrons, but it was not so for this show which was titled this year as, ‘RUMOURS OF WAR!’ With all the odds against it, the Supreme Promotions teamed pulled it off and without the popular Dancehall stars like Vybz Kartel and Mavado who many also felt had to be headliners for the event to attract a huge crowd. As it turned out, STING 2011 was well attended and free of incidents.
Jamaicans won when they showed the world in both scenarios (elections and STING) that violence does not depict who the people are. Over the years the elections and this particular event have registered moments in history that have tarnished the image of the country or its people. One might argue that the event was to a far lesser extent and indeed this is so. Now when both have done well, when the people of the country have demonstrated their maturity as it relates to conducting themselves in these instances when it matters most, much must be made of this.
Many Jamaicans home and abroad have suffered or been ridiculed due to the outcome of these events over the years and have always been placed on the defensive in reference to their homeland, this is unfortunate. But a time has come where the world have seen that the land of wood and water, home of ‘out of many one people’ have matured and come a far way. Jamaicans in Jamaica? You all have won! Congratulations!!
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