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I just watched this video de re the Jamaican flag. The vlogger, a Ukrainian living in MoBay (by way of the UK) did a decent job. The only thing she seemed to miss was the part about some Englishman sitting on the original committee who was upset that we didn't include any of the red, white, or blue of the Union Jack. (Did I hear thet he was chased out of the room by Busta? Can anyone back me up on this... Ewart? DonD?)

--Æ.

In reply to JayMor

Great information on our flag. A very teachable video.

In reply to buds

I learned a thing or two too, like that the meaning of each colour was re-defined in 1996. Why did they see a need to? I'll stick with what I was taught.

--Æ.

I haven't watched the video, but does it mention that the Jamaican flag is the only one in the world without red, white or blue in it?

In reply to JahJah

They and Sri Lanka are the only independent countries with that bit of cool trivia about their flags.

In reply to Tryangle

What about Mauritania?

Forget this one - it does have red

In reply to JayMor

I do not remember hearing that.

If it happened, it was before the parliamentary debate. I sat in the parliamentary press box through all that debate and heard nothing like that.

But this is not saying it did not happen.


.//

In reply to Ewart

I do believe the part wherein an Englishman was gunning for the inclusion of at least one of the Union Jack's colours. I read that somewhere many years ago. But I'm prolly mistaken on the point of Busta chasing him out. I think that was some incident involving a white American who made some racist remarks against black people in Chief's presence and he had to be held back from attacking the Yank.

--Æ.

In reply to Ewart
Come on, don’t be a spoilsport. Why let the facts get in the way of a good race theory story?

In reply to Chrissy



Ah yes, I think their national flag changed very recently. Previously it was just green with yellow in the crescent and star, the red is new

In reply to JayMor

From she got the facts wrong about the only flag without red white and blue, she lost me

In reply to Chrissy

Shouldn't have been enough to lose you, Chrissy. That's a popular misconception, and at some time or other appears to have been so. (I sorta know why she lost you so quickly. Give har a chance, she kinda Irie fe true. LOL.)

--Æ.

In reply to JayMor

It was very interesting but she should have checked the flags of the world web site before making such a bold claim

In reply to Chrissy

I hear you.

--Æ.

In reply to JayMor

Jamaicas are fond of saying 'if it not true it not far from true.
When the matter of the Flag for Jamaica came up,it was decided that it would not have red,white or blue.
and they spoke of the uniqueness of that even though another African country had the same black,gold and green. What I do not recall though is the country and if if they had it before Jamaica or not.
But this little tale about the englishman is interesting. Could be pure lie of course.

But on that night,of August 6 when the Union Jack was lowered,Princess Margaret who represented the Crown ,saw the Jamaica Flag raised and the hoist was white. /////
Just like the many we seeing aplenty over the past two decades especially on the world scene at Olympics and with Politicians and leaders parading them

The official Flag then had black as the Hoist.,
Perhaps only Jamaica House or a museum has the Proper Flag as it should be.

So if the story of the Englishman seems fishy, he did get his wish.
The thing is that no one seems to care about what the Founding Fathers did. How many Jamaicans really know about other national symbols,,the tree,the flower.the bird etc.
I have written about this before.I used to have a small flag with only black,gold and green.
Perhaps they have changed stuff because they have changed the meaning of what the colours represent. Like you I prefer the original.
The British were not to happy with a flag without white red or blue,us being a part and still are of the Commonwealth.
Perhaps they put one over on us.
The Englishman's tale could have some credence afterall and knowing British humour must be LTAO each time the flag is raised with the white hoist..
If they in charge are making changes and view this acceptable they could at least say it out loud.
The Flag is the most visible of all National Symbols if it is not being treated with respect, then no respect will be shown in man y other areas.
That's the current Jamaica. But I love the story of the Englishman.

In reply to hubert
Hmmm. That's a good post, Hubie. Cool.

That was Mwalimu Julius Nyerere's Tanganyika (which soon after combined with Zanzibar Island to become Tanzania). They had the colours first.
So you think that the white hoist could be a concession to the Limey's desires, huh? Could be. I know I read the story for sure; the man had even got upset, they said.

My primary education started in an Anglican-run school for my first four or five years. Ministry of Education then built a new school for us, which opened after Independence 1962-- must be September then. I set this up as background to say they had us fully studied up and prepared for the event, reciting by heart all the things you mentioned here, so I knew them all at that time. Our celebrations were actually done at the new school (ahead of it opening for classes) and I recall helping to plant a lignum vitae, which is a blue mahoe, right? Next time I go home I must go see if it's still living.

You recall the days when everyone would stand for the National Anthem even in the theatres ahead of the main show? We were so respectful and civic-minded back then.

--Æ.