Mayor Eric Adams informed Jamaican nationals on August 5. “We’re who we’re due to the contribution of Jamaica and the opposite Caribbean diasporas and different teams which have come right here to say we need to be a part of this American Dream and this American expertise.”
The politician, who joined emigrants at Manhattan’s Bowling Inexperienced Sq. for a flag-raising ceremony to rejoice the Island nation’s 62nd Anniversary of Independence, added. I’m simply so proud to raise the flag right here as we speak and watch lots of you come right here and rejoice your independence. Throughout your independence, it was an increase throughout all the Caribbean diaspora of now not being subjugated by the colonial mindset of those that assume we can’t have self-determination and keen to be resilient to battle for what we imagine is correct.”
“No better stage of dignity is when a person or girl might decide their very own future. And also you introduced that spirit right here. And it was not all the time nicely taken. You return in time, whenever you got here from the Caribbean, due to your dialect or due to your lifestyle, you have been demonized, and also you have been appeared down upon. You have been handled unfairly. However you remained resilient. You confirmed that you simply, too, had a proper to be within the footprint of America. And due to that, you’ve been celebrated repeatedly. And we’re seeing that somebody from the Caribbean diaspora is now operating to be the president of the USA. That claims rather a lot about your resiliency. And it’s the American story. It’s the American Dream. And it’s the American expertise.
Mayor Adams stated, that probably the most disappointing days of my life, I say it repeatedly, is after I was informed as a result of I lived in Jamaica, Queens, I used to be not Jamaican, he quipped, including. “However we’ll be accepting of that. And I need to thanks for coming right here as we speak. And the image of your acceptance, the image of your accountability is correct right here to the left of me. The women and men of the New York Metropolis Police Division, Division of Corrections, division of different public providers, they’re keen to place their sacrifices so we will all sit below the tree of freedom that they water with their blood and their dedication.”
“And that blue uniform is greater than an apparel that you simply put on as you perform your each day duties. It’s a reflection and an emblem of public security and is a prerequisite to our prosperity and their means to be sworn members of our division and the Police Division, simply as you’ve joined the armed providers to defend what this nation stands for. I say thanks to them, and I say thanks to the group. Let’s proceed to reside one love. And as we speak, we increase the flag of Jamaican independence. Congratulations to you, and God be with you all. God bless Jamaica. God bless New York. God bless America. Thanks.”
He thanked Consul Common to New York Alision Wilson, noting, “I believe the consul basic’s phrases actually pierce our understanding of the function that Jamaica has performed, not solely on the attractive island of Jamaica, however right here within the Metropolis of New York.”
“This weekend, I had the chance to see for the primary time the movie on Bob Marley and simply see what this brother has performed and the way his phrases proceed to cascade all through our complete globe, on how he was keen to make use of the sound of music in his songs to actually have us take a self-reflection on who we’re as a individuals. And because the consul basic acknowledged, one love. One love, and that’s what these flag raisings are about.”
“Being the mayor just isn’t solely substantive, I need to make certain our streets are protected, our kids are educated, and our companies proceed to develop and thrive, but it surely’s additionally a symbolism. And the symbolism is to ensure that we present that as numerous as this metropolis is, that we’re all a part of town. And this metropolis and this nation, it lets you love your motherland and on the similar time embrace your adopted land. You aren’t informed to disband or to show away your motherland, your spirit, your tradition, to see the variety of what this metropolis has to supply, how all of us come collectively to supply this qualitative product of how we transfer our metropolis ahead.”
“We want one another, notably the varied immigrant teams that got here right here to pursue the American Dream. Simply replicate on COVID. And as you achieve this, as I walked the streets and went into many hospitals, I noticed the varied Caribbean diaspora, India, South, Central America, whenever you noticed how meals was persevering with to be produced for households, you noticed the variety of those that had come to this nation and embraced what this nation is all about. Not solely did you hum and sing the music of 1 love, however you additionally lived out one love, stated Mayor Adams.
Alsion Wilson, Consul Common to New York, thanked, everybody for attending the flag elevating ceremony, acknowledging “councilwoman, assemblymen and ladies, my fellow consul generals, employees of the Consulate Common of Jamaica in New York, the clergy members, Bishop Riley, members of the Jamaican diaspora.”
“I do know we haven’t had the Ackee and saltfish but, however I’m going to say that yet one more time. Women and gents, a nice good morning. Thanks a lot. I hope we now have some Ackee and saltfish again on the consulate. At the moment, as we gathered to hoist the black, inexperienced, and gold flag, we commemorate not only a date, however the resolute spirit of our individuals. August sixth, 1962 was greater than Jamaica’s independence. It was the world’s introduction to a nation constructed on resilience, creativity, and an unwavering perception within the energy of 1 love, stated CG Wilson.
“This yr’s theme, One Like to the World, is a testomony to the affect Jamaica, a small island nation, has had on the world. From the rhythms of reggae music, by means of the worldwide airwaves, to the unmistakable draw of our dialect, Jamaican tradition has change into an integral a part of the world’s cloth. In the USA, our music, trend, and meals have left a everlasting mark on our true reflection of the ability of 1 love.”
“As we rejoice, allow us to not neglect the journey that has introduced us right here. Since gaining independence, Jamaica has made large strides. Our economic system has grown, schooling has improved, and infrastructure has developed. But we acknowledge that there’s nonetheless work to be performed. The progress of a nation is rarely ever really completed. This annual flag elevating is greater than a ceremony. It’s a image of our unwavering dedication to our homeland. It’s a reminder of the phrases of the nationwide pledge, she stated.
Earlier than God and all mankind, I pledged the love and loyalty of my coronary heart, the knowledge and braveness of my thoughts, the power and vigor of my physique within the service of my fellow residents. I promise to face up for justice, brotherhood, and peace, to work diligently and creatively to assume generously and truthfully in order that Jamaica might, below God, enhance in magnificence, fellowship and prosperity and play her half in advancing the welfare of the entire human race. At the moment we recommit ourselves to these beliefs.
As we stand right here as we speak, we’re half of a bigger imaginative and prescient. Jamaica’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 of a nation the place Jamaicans are empowered to achieve their fullest potential and that the Jamaican society rather than selection is the place of option to reside, work, increase households, and do enterprise on this world. The imaginative and prescient is inside our grasp if we stay true to the rules of 1 love.
“To the members of the diaspora, I say to you by no means, neglect your roots, particularly in instances of want, as we noticed following the hurricane burial the place our diaspora members, our mayor, our commissioner, our deputy commissioner, and the consul generals of our neighboring Caribbean islands gathered in assist of not solely Jamaica, however Grenada and St. Vincent and Barbados. We’re the descendants of heroes, women and men who fought for freedom we take pleasure in as we speak, lamented the diplomat.”
“As Marcus Garvey stated, a individuals with out the data of their historical past, authentic tradition is sort of a tree with out its roots. Allow us to honor our roots as we construct our future. Our nationwide motto, out of many, one individuals, is the embodiment of 1 love. We’re a tapestry woven from threads of numerous heritage, united in our love for Jamaica and our fellow countrymen. At the moment, allow us to rejoice that unity, stated the envoy.
“The Jamaican authorities, below the steadfast management of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, stays dedicated to the development of our individuals. Collectively, we’ll construct a Jamaica the place all can prosper, a Jamaica that’s the residing embodiment of 1 like to the world.”
“So, as we increase our flag, let it’s an emblem of our unwavering dedication to our nation. Allow us to be a beacon of hope, shining shiny for all to see, a reminder of the ability of 1 love. Allow us to let the world know, Jamaica stands sturdy. Jamaica stands united. And Jamaica will perpetually be a nation constructed on one love,” stated CG Wilson.
Additionally in attendance, have been Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, members of the Caricom Consular Corps, members of the NYPD, and plenty of Jamaican nationals.
