"I went and lay this wreath in memory of my ancestors that was put in these dungeons and shipped to Jamaica and other parts of the world" (Reggae artiste, Popcaan, 01/10/2020, Jamaica Gleaner)
An emotional and revered reaction by our young artiste on seeing the sights of where the victims of the worst of humanity, white supremacy, saw the value that lies under a black skin to enrich themselves resulting in the triangular slave trade with deposits of our ancestors in Jamaica. Mutabaruka is hoping that the artist will bring a new perspective on returning home. What is sad is that popcaan and his peers were not educated on their history as sons and daughters of slaves!!! Ghana got its independence in 1957, the first African nation to do so from the clutches of British imperialism and we struggle to get ours in 1962. Dr.Kwame Nkrumah, the protagonist of this proud nation issued the clarion call for a united Africa!!! Popcaan as an artist can only describe the situation that still affects our people musically as Bob Marley but will need all with the sinew of those slaves in Ghana that gave lives and limb for their liberation to free ourselves here!!! The black on black killing here is an indictment on our system of governance !!! There are slaves property here owned by private individuals that should be historical sites to educate our youths, for tourist attraction and education, Marcus Garvey's son on his visit here lament the lack of black history teaching and his father's monumental role in it. There is some sector of the ruling elite and their cohort in Parliament that are scared of our people black consciousness!!! It is understandable why they co-opt our youths and educators to push the western indoctrination of our youths resulting in their destructive behavior. Jamaica is Africa in the Caribbean and should reflect that, Mutabaruka must take up the challenge and be part of that change and be careful of not falling in the trap of just historical verbiage, slavery is right here in Jamaica, wage slavery!!! it needs all our attention.
