Politics, tricks, deprivation of rights and the revocation of a privilege, Jamaica Coke Rush challenges the subject of a country’s independence, the purpose of its Head of State and the scrutiny of foreign subjects versus nationals when the power of government is exchanged, while highlighting the use of controlled substance as an unprecedented tool.
© Ian T. Sebàs 2023
The Jamaican Coke Rush
‘Found Gold and Lost its Sole’
After the abolishment of slavery, and many years of British Government ruling, the Land of Wood and Water, Jamaica, was given ‘independence’ on August 6, 1962 and a new era had began; Shilling and Pence were something of the past and among other things, Jamaica had its own Dollars and Cents, ridding the Union Jack to Jamaica’s own Green, Yellow and Black banner.
Thereafter, Jamaicans apparently had and enjoyed years of personal control over their Country’s future and its directions, whilst making no fuss of the watchful, supervisory presence of the British Government (The Governor General) that lingered.
Jamaican Citizens had no reasons to fuss, considering that they could travel back and forth to the United Kingdom, as they pleased; a valid passport, a ticket and an address in the United Kingdom were the only requirements, and that in itself was obviously fair.
Jamaicans did just that, hassle-free, for decades.
“But, that has changed!”
In 2002, after some 35 years of independence, cocaine, which most Jamaicans had heard about but never actually saw, was washed up on the Jamaican shores a year earlier. Apparently some smugglers from South America, on their way to the United States of America, had to abandon their cargo. Good luck it seemed for some poverty-strickened Jamaicans, who had the fortunate findings.
But Jamaica, who owns its reputation of being violent, was still too clean and cocaine sales would not be profitable in The Land of Wood and Water.
So what happened after, was the turning point of Jamaica’s independence era and or its relationship with the United Kingdom. The poor finders, who did not know the real value of the white substance, sold it to someone who did, but the someone who did (another class of Jamaicans), didn’t have any personal use desire, but knew that people overseas did, and would pay a lot for it; so, they got to work.
And even though the United States of America was closer, it was too much of a hassle (they required visa from Jamaican Nationals and in order to be qualified for a visa, they wanted health checks, school reports, criminal records, your parents info, and other ridiculous requirements, which made most Jamaicans think that the U.S. must be heaven). Besides, the U.S. Dollar valued too little; therefore, if one is going to take a risk, Britain was most ideal, with no visa requirement and the Jamaican viewpoint of, “The Pound is strong!”
So hundreds or maybe even thousands of mules (people smuggling drugs) started to travel to the United Kingdom from Jamaica, in attempt to rid their find, and be financially better off.
But Jamaica which does not produce cocaine, famed and in this case, even proud that marijuana was its guilt, knew that one day all of the cocaine which were washed up on its shores, after the many airport busts and the sales of some which past the ports, the coke barrels were destined to be empty.
Jamaicans are famous for saying, ‘Lightenin nevva strike the same place twice!’ which meant that this finding was a once in a lifetime stroke of luck.
Jamaicans (Independent, JLP, PNP, NDM and the Rastafarians) knew that fact and if the Jamaicans did, so did USA’s, UK’s and the rest of the world’s diplomats, who had heard of The Jamaican Coke Rush.
Some diplomats were waiting it out; after all, people (mules and dealers) were dying, cocaine was being smuggled out of Jamaica successfully and unsuccessfully, but one thing was certain; it was heading to its drought, its end.
Other diplomats could not wait for the Rush to past, and also saw it as a risen opportunity and a loophole to put back shackles on the hands and feet of Jamaicans (keeping them grounded) and stopped their ambitious trend of migrating to the United Kingdom, working their butts off, before returning to Jamaica with their life savings to build big mansions and own their own businesses.
After much debate of whether a grounded action was even legal and millions of sporadic surveys tossed over the internet, trying to find out if they could actually get away with the idea, an amendment was made, making visa mandatory for Jamaican Nationals to travel to the United Kingdom.
The fact that Jamaica has a Governor General, meaning ‘A representative of the state’s sovereign’ (Queen Elizabeth II), made the visa requirement appear as being qualified to enter one’s own home; it would be the same as a resident of a parish in Jamaica, needing a visa to enter another.
Illegal?
No one could say; changes in constitutions are often made, some violating democracy and left uncontested.
Illogical?
Definitely!
‘One’s own home’ being referred to as The Constitutional Monarchy and The Commonwealth Realm which Jamaica shares with the United Kingdom.
Jamaicans being required a visa to enter the United Kingdom, could only be fair, if Jamaica and the United Kingdom did not share the same monarch, and in which event, a Governor General would not serve a valid purpose.
Claiming that the United States of America is indeed united; George W. Bush, Barack Obama,Hillary Clinton and the American people, proudly own and accept Beverly Hills hot shots and the O.G.s (thugs) of Compton, midtown Manhattan and the projects of Harlem as their own USA.
United Kingdom consisting of posh Buckinghamshire and crime-filled Brixton is still the United Kingdom, and while colonized with Jamaica which has Jacks Hill, Tivoli Gardens, Cherry Gardens and Arnette Gardens (Jungle), must realize that these neighbourhoods are what makes Jamaica, Jamaica and remains in union with the UK, sharing the same monarch.
The United Kingdom having Jamaica as one of the Commonwealth’s Realm, was expected, by Jamaicans, to accept them for their fortunate or unfortunate findings, and while the Jamaicans possess liberty, the UK must decide if the price for such colonial residents is worth the purchase.
Bottom line is, a Mother should accept her children, despite their actions and what they turn out to be, and a Mother cannot claim to be a Mother if she abandon her children for any reason.
The fact is, Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning Monarch and Jamaica’s Head of State, officially called “Queen of Jamaica” and it has been said since 1714 that “The Monarch reigns, but does not rule”; an indication reflecting full independence to countries such as Jamaica.
Jamaicans had some expectation of sharing similar freedom as British Citizens, and were not happy with the visa policy.
Some argued that Britain’s Blacks are 90% Jamaican spawn, giving them strong roots there. Others claimed that Jamaican Immigrants are building blocks to modern Britain (being the first bus drivers, postmen and nurses in England, not to mentioned those who suited up for the British Army) and that today most are minimum wage workers; cleaning toilets, vacuuming offices and are forced to ‘run off’.
While some believe that true independence would certainly mandate a visa, but that it would also mean the removal of the Governor General.
Still, Jamaicans remain proud today, admitting that most of the past, were ignorant, but brags that Jamaicans of today aren’t idiotic.
Out of Many, One People.
© Ian T. Sebàs 2014
Bleeding Pen 