Thank you. I don’t know how the Last supper thing started, but it caught on pretty fast didn’t it, even among non-Christians. It is sad that it is taking Jamaicans so long to untangle this awful post-colonial/post slavery mess, and our leaders aren’t helping. Still struggling!
It reminds me of something Mel Brooks' Roman "stand up philosopher" in "History Of The World Part One" said about Christians: "They're so poor, they only have ONE God."
Thanks for that post. I have lived here all of my life and I still don’t get a lot of it. For example:
A: As you mentioned, the way we hit out against Haitians is really pathetic
B. We take delight in killing frogs, lizards, crocodiles – we are the new world hunters
C. We are very selective about our Christianity and our use of the Bible. We are happy to tell about all of those who are to Be Put to Death, but we don’t like these:
- A child who curses his father or mother (Ex 21:17)
- A disobedient son (Deut 21:18-21)
- Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14)
D. We think we are the most scrupulously honest people but a national pastime is stealing electricity and water. On a trip back from Blue Mt Peak 2 weekends ago, I was in the back of a Land Rover and could look up at the power lines that had been torn down by mango trees and had been quickly (sometimes makeshift) reconnected by JPS. On an approximately 10 miles section of the drive, I would estimate that more than 70% of the connection were throw ups – all illegal. If these were paying customers, not only would my bill be less, but JPS would be a better position to respond to the damage. I have no issue with Ministers even prime ones calling out JPS for being tardy if they are. I would love to have the same Ministers including the prime one, calling on people to stop stealing electricity. Won't get any votes for doing that - too risky politically.
Emma you're right on the money with this one!. Jamaica is not a real place for true...confounded, confused, and contradictory.....certainly nott boring though 😂
Excellent piece. Even here in Italy the older generation thought it was the last summer. How did this global rumor start?
Jamaicans complexed conservatism confusion has colonial and slavery elements which can only change with the time it took to create them
Thank you. I don’t know how the Last supper thing started, but it caught on pretty fast didn’t it, even among non-Christians. It is sad that it is taking Jamaicans so long to untangle this awful post-colonial/post slavery mess, and our leaders aren’t helping. Still struggling!
Emma. Thanks for taking this on. The furore around the last supper also being echoed elsewhere in the region. Sadly it’s Greek to most audiences🥹
Haha, yes! We are too narrow in our thinking. I am sorry but felt I had to confront this reality. Now I've got it off my chest! Sigh...
Jamaica, the confounding island. Your article was excellent, thank you.
Thanks so much. Confounding, yes - as Prof Patterson said! We need to make the effort to see clearly, it’s the 21st century!
It reminds me of something Mel Brooks' Roman "stand up philosopher" in "History Of The World Part One" said about Christians: "They're so poor, they only have ONE God."
Haha! That’s a great one. But sad isn’t it. I wish they would remove their blinkers.
Emma,
Thanks for that post. I have lived here all of my life and I still don’t get a lot of it. For example:
A: As you mentioned, the way we hit out against Haitians is really pathetic
B. We take delight in killing frogs, lizards, crocodiles – we are the new world hunters
C. We are very selective about our Christianity and our use of the Bible. We are happy to tell about all of those who are to Be Put to Death, but we don’t like these:
- A child who curses his father or mother (Ex 21:17)
- A disobedient son (Deut 21:18-21)
- Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14)
D. We think we are the most scrupulously honest people but a national pastime is stealing electricity and water. On a trip back from Blue Mt Peak 2 weekends ago, I was in the back of a Land Rover and could look up at the power lines that had been torn down by mango trees and had been quickly (sometimes makeshift) reconnected by JPS. On an approximately 10 miles section of the drive, I would estimate that more than 70% of the connection were throw ups – all illegal. If these were paying customers, not only would my bill be less, but JPS would be a better position to respond to the damage. I have no issue with Ministers even prime ones calling out JPS for being tardy if they are. I would love to have the same Ministers including the prime one, calling on people to stop stealing electricity. Won't get any votes for doing that - too risky politically.
Emma you're right on the money with this one!. Jamaica is not a real place for true...confounded, confused, and contradictory.....certainly nott boring though 😂