My thoughts on…Jamaican foreign-mindedness
January 8th 2007 -
When I was heading off to the first day of school this morning, I saw the line at the US Embassy in Liguanea. It was long, as it usually is. But this morning it was unusually long , enough to catch my eye. It almost stretched from one end of the embassy to the next. Most of the people in line were middle aged men and women. By the looks of things, the women were mainly higglers and the men were mainly labourers. All small timers. Not surprising. Like my dad once said, “Foreign is for poor people.” Not like we’re rich. My dad also wants to go abroad. Not out of desperation, just out of desire to expand his business, which is doing quite well despite its small size.
But I wonder why the line was so long this morning? Maybe it was just a fluke? Or maybe it was because of the recent killings, which spooked them into flying out? It never fails to amaze me. No matter how many ridiculous restrictions they throw at us, no matter how many hoops they want us to jump through, no matter how they try to tell us, “We don’t want you here!”, our desire to “gwaan a farin” continues unabated. We want to go to the motherland (not Africa silly. Great Britain) or to America, where the streets are paved with gold, and everyone’s pocket is stuffed to the brim. Obviously that’s not true, but the that’s the impression I get from many aspiring immigrants. They want to life the good life, for their offspring to attain citizenship, to return and show off on their friends back home, with their gaudy clothing and fake accent.
Truth is, many of them have a rude awakening, and end up doing menial jobs like the Mexicans, and aren’t treated much better. Some of them can’t return, unable to face their loved ones after all the boasts they made. And many those who do return try their hardest to create the illusion of success, despite the fact many of them aren’t doing much better than those living out here. I saw The Pursuit of Happyness last Saturday, and trust me, that movie broke that illusion. I don’t know which I liked better, seeing the movie or the faces of the audience, surprised that such hard times could be had in the glorious US of A, as the main character endured great hardships, including living in a bathroom. There are a great many opportunities in Jamaica. I fail to understand why foreigners are the only ones who seem to understand that. Most large companies here are foreign based. But we couldn’t be more ready to jump ship. Sad.
Hydra Says:
January 8th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
You use so many generalizations and fail to acknowledge that there are people in this country who have very difficult and trying circumstances. Worse..your point of reference is a movie. Do some more fact based personal research about your society. Most people would rather not leave their homeland.
Mighty Afroditee Says:
January 8th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Caymanians have to fly to Jamaica for our US Visa’s too, so some a we inna dat line too…
Of course we have to get our Jamaican visa before we fly to Jamaica to get our US visa. Can someone say ‘irony’?
Stunner Says:
January 9th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I guess everyone wants to go to greener pastures. The US is not a bed of roses, not all gold, but I gess the prospects of earning a higher currency, although uncertain, is enough to drive people to the long lines and the obstacles of the restrictions.
Crankyputz Says:
January 9th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Great post, I think its the great lie all immigrants tell themselves, and then tell others, so that they aren’t alone.
Any place is good or bad, The US, Canda are not easy places to live in, and not always safe….yet the idea of opportunity is what drives everyone to at least try.
Teenage Perfectionist Says:
January 9th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
That is so true.
Kingston Girl Says:
January 10th, 2007 at 10:19 am
It makes me sad to see people who are so convinced that life is better abroad. Yes for some it is, but for the majority you’re right - it’s like hell, just a lot colder
Melody Says:
January 10th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
So you decided to see that movie after all!
Abeni Says:
January 10th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
The grass always appears greener but many times it is not so. I don’t think I can live abroad again.I like it wher eit’s summer all year round
cool destiny Says:
January 18th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
America is still viewed as the land of opportunity and I can’t understand if American has poverty and unemployment for their own residents why the immigrants think it will be better for them - the NON-RESIDENT. I will never understand it.