J'cans in US urged to strengthen identity - Jarrett calls for assistance for needy tertiary students

Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer of The Jamaica National Group, has urged Jamaicans in the United States of America (USA) to challenge stigmas surrounding their identity.

Addressing Jamaican expatriate leaders in Atlanta, Georgia, at the USA Diaspora Leadership Summit held at the Morrow Center recently, Jarrett underscored that Jamaicans should not allow themselves to be simply lumped into other groups, but, instead, to "stand up, stand strong and be counted".

"Jamaica's greatness is derived from its people; and it is manifested in our academic achievements, our culture and creativity, our sporting prowess, and our ability to achieve despite challenges," he said. "With this strong history and legacy, we must, as a people, embrace our identity and repudiate the negative ascriptions which are so often used to label us."

He maintained that "as citizens in this country, you have also made significant contributions. Many Jamaicans have excelled in their chosen profession, whether in traditional areas as scientists, nurses, doctors, lawyers, business persons, or non-traditional areas, or as great citizens."

"We are not to be defined as Asian-Americans or black Americans, but as Jamaican-Americans," he affirmed.

Jarrett stated that while many Jamaicans have adopted the USA as their second home, they should be careful not to isolate themselves so that they lose their influence as a group.

 

Losing potency

 

"I encourage you not to become isolated by moving into districts in this country where you are alone as a people. By so doing, you lose your political identity and political influence. Look at the things which other communities have done, they help and support each other," he remarked.

Jarrett maintained that Jamaican-Americans should create and implement a communication plan, with a strong and clear message, and to use the platforms available to them to spread their message. He also said that the JN Group had acquired the Black British newspaper The Voice to highlight the voice of black Britons and, especially, Jamaicans in the UK.

"You can learn a communication lesson from this president. Every morning at 3 a.m., there is a tweet from the White House. What about the tweets from the Jamaican communities?" he questioned.

He said that maintaining close connections with their homeland was important to the process of strengthening the Jamaican identity overseas, noting that Jamaicans already contribute some 37 per cent to the country's gross domestic product, through remittances, philanthropy, tourism, investments and the purchase of goods and services.

"You need to ensure that your contribution is known and leveraged for policies in Jamaica, which will support your objectives. By so doing, you will truly harness the power that you have, and you have power. Just let a year go by without your remittances going to Jamaica, and you will know what it is like," he quipped.

He admonished Jamaicans to also establish a financial base as part of the process of strengthening their identity overseas, by saving more with financial institutions locally.

 

LOW SAVING RATES

 

"As a people from the Caribbean, we have one of the lowest savings rates in the world," he reminded diaspora leaders.

"We must encourage our people to save. Jamaica has a well-regulated financial system. Whilst I speak from the position of Jamaica National, I encourage you to save with us, but if you choose not to save with us, there are other Jamaican institutions. It is savings which forms the basis of investments, and by extension, the financial strength of a people and a nation," he affirmed.

He cautioned diaspora leaders not to allow their ties with Jamaica to be influenced by the reports they hear regarding crime and violence in the country, urging them to be careful about the news they consume about Jamaica on social media.

"I know many of you are not pleased with the current news coming out of Jamaica - about the crime, violence, corruption and other less encouraging information. However, I can assure you that, while we have challenges at home, tremendous efforts are being made to address those issues. And the truth is, things are getting better," he said.

Segueing to the development of young people, Earl Jarrett concluded his address to diaspora leaders in Georgia with a call for Jamaicans in the US to assist with erecting a dorm for needy students at The University of the West Indies and other local tertiary institutions.

"There is a challenge in Jamaica where the young people have done what we have told them to do. Many have been very successful at the high-school level; however, they cannot pursue higher education due to the prohibitive cost in most instances," Jarrett affirmed, describing the needs of young people in Jamaica to diaspora leaders.

"It is a fact that some students live in the libraries at some of our tertiary institutions, as they cannot afford the cost of accommodation."

He said Jamaica National will support the diaspora, if Jamaicans overseas take up the mantle to establish a dorm at The UWI for needy students.

"We can only advance as a nation, as the theme of this summit suggests: when 'we work together to make our voices matter',"he avowed.