Welcome to my world. An altered state of reality in which I sometimes feel as if I am the only one experiencing issues and situations that are ridiculous, funny, frustrating and thought provoking.
Forget chestnuts on an open fire or dashing through the snow on a sleigh as chestnuts and sleighs are not readily available at Pricesmart and therefore are not a part of our everyday reality. So while you know these Christmas carols, we generally do not relate as well them as we do to our local artistes who sing about sorrel, mongrel dogs and Santa who got lost in a mango tree.
There is no doubt that as a nation, Jamaicans are strong and resilient but even so are not immune to phobias and fears. Some or unique to the cultural context of this island while others are more universal and can be applied to just about anyone.
Recently dancehall queen Spice made a plea to the Government Jamaica to look into the possibility of de-criminalising ‘bad words’ or what we call obscenities as she said it is foolish to lock people up for the very same thing that makes us so unique and sort after worldwide. Her argument is that our language including the so called profanities is a part of our cultural identity and as such should be celebrated and not vilified as something bad or derogatory.
This one is especially for my friends who are overseas in the Diaspora who are missing home. From time to time, you guys may say something controversial, wacky or weird that someone in Jamaica will react to with a “oh no you did not just say that” and try to check you or threaten to revoke your ‘yaad card’ which is your status as a full fledged legitimate Jamaican.