Dancing in the Streets: Jamaican Pride

This has been Jamaica's greatest ever medal haul at the Games. The country its now planning the biggest ever welcome home party in its history but for now they are still dancing in the streets.

says the BBC News article about the celebration in the heart of Jamaica.

If you want to see true unity in action, look no further than Jamaica.
The article continues:

"The place to be was Half Way Tree, a busy traffic intersection and home to the country's main bus terminus.

It has become the place to watch the sporting action from Beijing in Jamaica and whenever any of the country's local heroes take to the field the reaction is electric."

Whenever any of their local athletes compete the country gathers for support.
Notice the article doesn't say:

• the most popular athlete

• the most talented athlete

Any of their local athletes.

As you can see, there is no hierarchy of importance to be deemed "celebration worthy".

How does this reaction differ from what you are used to?

Try going to your local governor's office and request a major downtown intersection
to be blocked off for a celebration.

When the governor's office asks you why, tell them its for celebrating your
son's peewee league.

What type of response do you think you'll get?

Get my point.

How can we celebrate those around us that we love?
What ways can we appreciate them today?

Which leads me to my favorite part of the article.

The poorest of the poor of Jamaica's citizens find a way to get in on the celebration:

The sight of Jamaica's women makes the crowd erupt. I spy the traditional instrument used to celebrate in the island's poor inner city communities, the Dutchie cover - the lids of two cooking pots banged together at full force.

Jamaica is dear to my heart as part of my heritage.

Jamaica's culture inspires joy in the midst of poor circumstances.

Their spirit erupts into joy and is expressed by any means necessary.

As you can see, the cooking lids banged together at full force.
Make no mistake about it. People embraced them, instead of shun them.

There's no shame.

I love that they didn't have to feel ashamed to celebrate with the means they had. In fact, it highlights a distinction of you are welcomed here flavor.

In the United States, if I went to a parade with lids to cooking pots, I might be escorted to the nearest facility for observation.

If we see someone that doesn't have the same make and year of car or status we look the other
way and find others to embrace who we can "identify" with.


Maybe this is where I get my heart for people who have talent inside of them and if given a chance and planted in a nurturing environment can blossom.


Jamaica I am proud of you! Keep dancing. There is more yet to come!