Why do they celebrate their independance from the British?

[anotheoldgit]

Noting the recent news coverage of British Jamaicans celebrating and waving Jamaican flags in celebration of Jamaica's independence, it got me wondering why do those who live in the UK celebrate Jamacia's independence from the British?

Have they not chosen to live in this country, have their children in this country, and some have never even been to Jamaica, and therefore are rightfully British, so why do they celebrate their independence from the British?

[Old_Geezer]

I guess because they still have ties with a country they think should be independent even if they now consider themselves British.

[Bazile]

The same people will probably also wave the Union Jack , to celebrate this country as well

[Canary42]

Oh dear. someone celebrating, we can't have that can we. We must grumble and complain all the time to justify our existence.

[Prudie]

It's not really any different to New Yorkers going mad for St Patrick's day is it, I guess we all have a soft spot for our roots.

[Mick-Talbot]

If they are anything like me .... for the Fosters up.

I love celebrating 'Lá Fhéile Pádraig' always a cracking day, so it is.

[Zeuhl]

A lot of British people also celebrate St Patrick's Day.

[Zeuhl]

sorry mick - cross-posted

didn't mean to imply you weren't British!

[Snafu03]

Rose tinted spectacles. I knew someone who's roots were Jamaican but he was born and bred in the UK. He had the chance to visit Jamaica as an adult and said he was treated with hostility and indifference by the locals.

Alot of Jamaicans dont have alot of time for the ones who came over here in the 50s seeing them as a 'sell out'. Seems this bad feeling is also aimed at subsequent generations too.

[craft1948]

Zeuhl

"sorry mick - cross-posted

didn't mean to imply you weren't British!"

Sometimes I don't think he's human............

[Old_Geezer]

Oh, I'd view it differently than New Yorkers pretending to be Irish. Many Jamaican immigrants here will be able to recall the day the country got independence. The US has had independence for 236 years, so I doubt many recall being Irish.

[Zeuhl]

Old Geezer

most 'american irish' don't go back that far.

more like 80-150 years but i take your point

[Mick-Talbot]

I'm not British
I'm Yorkshire and I love gravy.


I am mates with a good few lads of West Indian origin ....... I want to know why we are not partying to celebrate Jamaica's independence.

miserable Snags :0/

[Gromit]

Exiles tend to become more nostalgic about their mother nation. Just look at the expats in Spain. Emigrating and going to live in another country does not mean you have to disown your heritage of fully assimilate someone elses.

The English do not have a proper day to celebrate the nation. St. Georges' Day is a poor relation to St. Patricks. The Queens birthday means nothing. So no wonder AOG looks on enviously when the Irish or Jamaicans have a party.

[Gromit]

*OR* fully assimilate someone elses.

[Zeuhl]

mick

Every Yorkshire-person is British.

Sorry. You may not like it, you may disregard it, but it is a fact.

However, I understand that if Yorkshire was independent in IOC terms, you would be 11th in the Medals Table.

[Hopkirk]

It's probably like the characters in East Enders - it's a good excuse for a knees up down the local.

[anotheoldgit]

Canary42

/// Oh dear. someone celebrating, we can't have that can we. We must grumble and complain all the time to justify our existence. ///

Don't be so aggressive, it is a perfectly reasonable question to ask, and I was in no way being offensive, racist or anything else ABers such as you would also like to accuse me of.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

The English do not have a proper day to celebrate the nation

Perhaps we are then in dire need of an Independence Day ourselves?

[Mick-Talbot]

There is nothing to stop you celebrating, AOG..... fill yer boots.

[Gromit]

You calling for a revolution, AOG?