"The Jamaican Dream"

--A Stark Reality

From Rural to Urban Jamaica...(and let me slip the 'Sub-Urban' in for the critiques), there is a dream so present in the minds of all nationals that it becomes so easy to call it the "Jamaican Dream."

The question is, what is this dream?

Of a fact, we all know of success stories and try openly or privately to create our own. These stories, in their kaleidoscope of colours, have effects on different hearts; minds and agendas. 

We hear about the boy who had to attend to his family's live stocks barefooted before hurrying off to school and is now CEO of a fortune 500 company. Similarly, the young chap who turned away from gang culture and now lectures at prominent universities. What about the girl who got pregnant as a teen and has now re-claimed her focus, starting her bakery after being certified by HEART. So too, the children from those "less-off" families who have made strides in making their families and communities proud. Do these hypothetical scenarios sound familiar? I bet you could sit and coin many of your own or even regurgitate the factual ones from Profile.

 It is the dream of overcoming adversities and being able to triumph at the breakthroughs that fuels the engine of the people and is "The Jamaican Dream."

This dream is so potent. If it could raise the dead it would! Remember how persons lamented, "Him nuh interview me yet!" when the late Veteran journalist and deputy chief executive officer of the Jamaica Information Service, Ian Boyne, died. Think too on yourself or persons you know who have reached heights of their success after loosing a loved one or a very real supporter...if only they could see that person now and share the 'realization' of the "dream".

Sure, we hear of America and the perceptions people have of going there, making a fortune and choosing whether or not to return to their country of origin. The American Dream they call it. Somehow though, "The Jamaican Dream" is different. It is more gradual. It is our flag. You see, the hardship of the people beat them down, it shakes faith, it limits. Notwithstanding that, the very same courage and resilience of the people, enables them to spur on. This vigour and vitality represents the lush vegetation that has blossomed through adversities. The sunshine becomes the smiles and contentment experienced from sacrifices and steadfastness. While it is good and safe to say adversaries are faced by people worldwide, it is better and safer to say "No place like Yaad".

So then, the truth of the Jamaican saying " We likkle but we tallawah" (passionately expressed on many occasions by our very own Miss World 2019, Toni-Ann Singh) is embedded in the "dream". It is an affirmation for the nation as much as it is for each Jamaican.

"The Jamaican Dream" is not limited to class, status, colour, parish etc. It is Jamaican. Resultantly, Jamaicans from all walks of life are striving. Some, in different capacities than others. It is true though that each wants to overcome their adversities and triumph at their breakthroughs. 

My tips to Lady Justice are few, as a matter of fact, just two.

•  It is absolutely fine to emulate the good traits of other persons who you believe are inspirational. Nonetheless, I urge you: Do not live out your days replicating the successful personalities of other individuals. You have an original dream of your own to actualize. In doing the latter, you add to the variety of success stories and a personal twist on how you achieved same.
• Secondly, be in tune with who you are and the realities that confront you. For in so doing, you preserve the truth of your life. You give yourself permission to acknowledge your path, obstacles and breakthroughs. Thus, the authenticity of your dream and the originality of your story bears the power to be 100 times more impactful and inspirational than those replicated and have lost their originality.

              

Don't be a dreamer they say.

I object. 

Dream. Dream Big. "If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough." 

For what your mind can conceive, you can achieve.

I dream. You Dream. "The Jamaican Dream".