Thoughts of the Month

The allure of visiting Jamaica has stayed with me ever since my first visit in 2017. The place I call “Home”, the land of my parental and maternal grandparents, holds a cherished memory in my heart. Through my studies and work here for the Gleaner, I have had the opportunity to stay connected with Jamaican politics and current affairs, maintaining my link back “Home”. Therefore, when the chance arose to participate in the inaugural Fusion Project, I eagerly seized it with both hands!

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The Fusion Project is part of the wider Mahogany Legacy Foundation, co-founded by its chair, Dr. Cheron Shakespeare, along with Duncan Moore, Dawn Brathwaite, Jo Green, and Owen Shakespeare. This development followed a special engagement visit from PNP leader Mark Golding to the UK in October 2022. During this visit, a collective effort was underwayto foster a connection between British Jamaican Diasporans and Jamaica. The Fusion Project aims to offer a transformative travel experience in Jamaica, specifically tailored for UK Diasporans, to deepen their links with their heritage and homeland, within the broader scope of the Mahogany Legacy Foundation, founded in 2024. The project addresses a vital need among UK-based Jamaicans, who often feel disconnected from their roots due to geographical distance and cultural assimilation. After Beryl’s rude interruption on the dawn of the maiden trip last year, we were finally able to embark on our journey to Jamaica with enthusiasm in June 2025.

 

This initiative aims to fill this gap by offering a curated experience that immerses participants in Jamaican culture, history, and contemporary life, thereby strengthening their sense of identity and connection to the country. The expedition began with a warm welcome from the University of the West Indies' Global Affairs team, including PVC Sandrea Maynard and her accommodating team, Dr. Shakira Maxwell and Lisa Hamilton-Brathwaite, as well as our host and UWI student, Rajaye Bennett. A talk by Dr. Nicole Plummer on Jamaican history and culture followed. Setting high standards, the trip continued to grow in strength. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon invited us for a meeting with the Honourable KaminaJohnson Smith, which highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy and the role of the diaspora in Jamaican affairs. A subsequent meeting with the PNP at their headquarters followed, where meeting the leader of the opposition was a full-circle moment, as the initial meeting three years earlier had sparked the initiative. Victoria Mutual also provided an insightful presentation emphasising the importance of finance and wealth creation.  

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Outside of work, we had the chance to involve ourselves in community activism, donating products to a local care home and even visiting Roses Valley, St. Elizabeth (sometimes called ‘St Best’ by its adherents) for a primary school graduation where the delegates sponsored some of the pupils. We were captivated by the lively cultural richness of downtown Kingston, including the murals along the waterfront and the artistic, creative talents showcased at the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA). 

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Reflecting on the experiences, the Fusion Project exemplifies how cultural initiatives can play a crucial role in shaping diasporic identities and fostering transnational connections. By immersing participants in the cultural and historical realities of Jamaica, the programme enables a deeper understanding of their heritage. It enhances their sense of belonging to the global Jamaican community. It raised questions about what it means to be Jamaican, how identity is constructed, and how the diaspora can contribute to the island's development. However, I was also confronted with the rose-tinted perspectives I had of moving to Jamaica and the practical implications I had yet to consider. We pride ourselves on the Caribbean education system as one of valour. Although true, the deeply entrenched colonial roots continue to contribute towards the dichotomy between the rich and poor, and their access to education.

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Trips to one of the renowned Maroon Towns in rural Port Antonio offered a deeper understanding of Jamaica's history, while also highlighting the resilience of the Maroons and their resistance to colonial rule through guerrilla warfare. It reminded us of our resilient spirit and how this can be translated into our everyday lives. It was during those moments, by the river, watching the children play joyfully and innocently under the sun, that we were able to appreciate how simplicity brings happiness, something we are not used to in our lives in the UK.

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This expedition served as a means of cultural revitalisation, allowing participants to gain a new appreciation for Jamaican traditions, values, and cultural expressions. In doing so, it opened my eyes to my preconceived notions and showed me what I can actively do to help bridge the gap between the UK and Jamaica.