Community Focus: Maroon communities feel left out of Emancipation festivities

Maroon communities in St James are complaining of being sidelined yet again as the rest of the parish and Jamaica, by extension, ramp up preparations for the Emancipation jubilee tomorrow.

The people of Maroon Town and Flagstaff argue that they play little to no part in the special annual celebrations that recognise the abolition of slavery on August 1, 1834.

Residents told the WESTERN STAR that they feel shunned despite the fact that the communities and surrounding districts played pivotal roles in the fight for freedom during and after the time of one of Jamaica's national heroes, Sam Sharpe.

"It's big Emancipation and look on the community: nothing nah gwaan up here," said Donald Stewart. "The ball ground where little something would a gwaan not even cut yet. The grave weh the British dem bury want rake and clean up, and nobody a rally the people dem fi say something a go gwaan."

NOTHING DONE FOR COMMUNITIES

Residents said that they get upset when they witness the millions of dollars being spent to put on grand galas in Montego Bay and Kingston each year yet not even a fraction of that money is spent to spruce up indigenous Maroon communities.

"Is up here so the historical site them deh. Up here so the Maroons had the fight for freedom. You see first time, things used to be better because every year, dem used to have a six-a-side football, children's treat, and the elders come out come enjoy themselves. This was years ago, though. Nowadays, we don't see or hear nothing a gwaan," said resident Davia Scott.

Flagstaff is home to the Heritage Tours Visitor Centre, which was opened in 2009 and which was to provide more employment opportunities for the residents by attracting foreigners to see the community's rich Maroon culture.

In addition, the small area also houses the famed Military Graveyard as well as Gun Hill Swimming Pool (otherwise called Bathing Tank), and a parade ground that were all utilised by the Maroons in their fight against the British.

However, the people noted that none of these facilities receive any attention on Emancipation Day.

"I never see the culture minister come up here. The PNP and JLP need to come together, because it is not a political thing and do something for us," Scott stated.