Post by Jamdung Eats.
Jamaicans are a people who've never been satisfied with the status quo. Our history is riddled with many instances of wanting a better life and not stopping until we have attained it. For this reason, Jamaicans can be found all over the world, in search of a better life. There are just as much Jamaicans in the diaspora as there are still on the island. The largest settlements are in the US, Canada and the UK. In fact, Jamaicans are the largest ethnic group in the UK. But seeking out this better life comes with a few challenges.
I inquired of my Facebook followers: What is the most difficult transition a Jamaican has to make when emigrating to the US? And this is what some of them had to say...
Heb Wat: Depending where you migrate to, TEMPERATURE....
Xavier Morales: The Caribbean culture is more familial and community oriented whereas the American culture is very individualistic.
CJ Cousins: Adapting to the American diet, which is far more unhealthy compared to the Jamaican diet.
Sonja Long-Lambie: Heat, and lack of Caribbean foods
Jackie Robinson: Starting over professionally when you were an accomplished professional in Jamaica. Concerning food... It took months and for some items more than 1 year to find where to source basics like yellow yam. Serious homesickness took me.
Millicent Hunter: Adjusting your conservative mores for such a liberal society. And trying to be understood for those who think you have a thick accent.For many Jamaicans, leaving their home comes with many sacrifices. Depending on where you emigrate to in the US, the climate may be TOO HOT or TOO COLD! Jamaica is a constant 80degrees with a soothing breeze from the Caribbean Sea and cool shade from the Mountains and Hills all year round. Living in a place that fluctuates rapidly is very detrimental to those who're not used to it.
Cultural differences is a BIG one. Moving to a fast-paced metropolis like New York City can be a scary place for Jamaicans "fresh off the boat" so to speak. Jamaicans are very communal. NYC, not so much. If you go out with a bunch of Jamaicans to eat, each person will order something different from the other so as to share each offering with the other. Americans, not so much. A Jamaican's reason or way of thinking is very much different and sometimes out right opposing to an American's. Some struggle with this and often times seclude themselves from Americans and the culture so much so that they only interact with who and what they know. Sad, but true.
The greatest challenge amongst the consensus is the lack of Yaad Fuud (GOOD Jamaican Food). Whether it's adapting one's palette or not having access to the foods they grew up with, Jamaicans have mourned the loss of their chicken foot soup or fish tea, when they're sick with the flu. They will cry out unto their traveling family members and friends to bring back some fried or escoveitch snapper, bammy, festivals, ackee and of course, the Jamaican Rum varieties. You can tell a Jamaican in an airport when you see them carrying duty-free rum and 3-4 pieces of luggage—stuffed with all sorts of food items.
Amidst it all, Jamaicans are a resilient people. Even though we may complain A LOT, we're grateful for what we have. We work hard for it and we will not relinquish it quietly.
This song below is an homage to the diaspora. Click here for the lyrics. Enjoy.
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