Inside Life: Jamaicans chorus ‘Redemption Song’ for emancipendence
“Emancipate yourself from mental freedom, none but ourselves can free our mind….”
‘Redemption Song’
Robert Nesta Marley
Unless you are living under a rock, by now you must be aware Jamaica-born Tanya S. Chutkan indicted Donald Trump in the nation’s capital of Washington D.C. on the first day of August.
Randomly selected to preside over the historic, four-felony assault case against the former commander-in-chief, Chutkan was named the trial judge to hear both sides of argument to decide whether allegations waged of a January 6 assault on the US Capitol finds him culpable.
Records reveal that the Caribbean trailblazer was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in June 2014.
The damning indictment marks his third following legal charges claimed in New York City and Miami, Florida.
The irony of this landmark selection is that Chutkan is an immigrant whose birthplace in Kingston, Jamaica, could be construed as one of a number of toilet locations the Republican referenced during his one-term leadership of America.
In fact, nationals from the island are revealing just retribution for the callous remark.
Chutkan attended the prestigious St. Andrew High School in the capital of the Caribbean city before migrating to the USA where she received a bachelor’s degree in economics from George Washington University and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
And if indeed you’re just worming your way up from under a huge boulder, you must also now know that hours after Chutkan issued the Emancipation Day proclamation, Jamaica’s Reggae Gyrlz sent Brazil’s FIFA qualifiers packing from the global stage after holding them to a 0-0 draw.
Needless to say, both breaking news items are now etched indelibly into the Emancipendence archives which combines emancipation day and independence celebrations in Jamaica’s storied history.
The Gyrlz made history becoming the first team from the Caribbean to advance to the knockout phase of the global athletic competition.
Considering the fact, the Australia/New Zealand staging of the 2023 Women’s World Cup marks their second appearance on the international platform, jubilation ensued on the island as well as throughout diasporic circles.
Along with cheers, the national anthem and other freedom songs, nationals and expats chorused Bob Marley’s “Redemption Songs.”
The national team was partly funded by Cedella Marley, the daughter of the king of reggae — who composed the infectious call to action ditty, Because of that, reportedly, the team’s victory was made possible before they took the pitch at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Fans also helped raise money to get them to the contest. A GoFundme campaign boosted donations to a whopping $50,000 helping to defray expenses.
A Thanksgiving church service celebrating the 61st anniversary of the island’s milestone achievement was held at New Tabernacle Church UPC at Ave. D in Brooklyn on Aug. 6.
The occasion enabled bragging rights when Bishop and senior pastor Micheal A. Mitchell sermonized “It is the land which has moved from mental slavery to emerge a leader in sports, entertainment…destined to be number one.”
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke added: “We boasy, we can’t help it!
Along with recounting ‘extraordinary’ triumphs the island has boasted, the Jamerican congresswoman to the House of representatives hailed the selection of Trump’s adjudicator “because when you’re blessed you have to tell the world.”
As if to amplify the Proud and Strong theme of the anniversary and the 185th anniversary of Emancipation, Jamaica’s Consul General Alsion Roach Wilson emphasized why Jamaicans should always stand proud.
A chorus of gospel singers punctuated the comments with Glacia Robinson providing solo renditions.
At intervals, the congregation interjected “we lickle but we tallawah” (small but mighty).
According to the island’s information portal — “Emancipation Day was officially introduced as a public holiday in Jamaica in 1893. The ‘First of August’ celebrations, however, were discontinued in 1962, this was when Jamaica gained its independence. It was then replaced by Independence Day, which was then observed on the first Monday in August. Emancipation Day was later re-instituted in 1997 by then Prime Minister Percival James (PJ) Patterson as a national holiday, which was celebrated on August 1.”
By the end of the day and week, the representative of the 9th district in Brooklyn punctuated prayers, praise and songs using all-encompassing familiar phrases — “Bless Up! One Love and Walk Good.”
Catch You On The Inside!
