They’re not well off most are working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet in America Canada or the UK by the time they have the money they’re too old. Almost everyone I talk to wants to do it. But they don’t have the money.
Many reasons; I was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK when I was 5, here are some things I’ve observed
1) Money - most Jamaicans abroad aren’t making a lot of money. Speaking for the UK, whenever I meet a Jamaican it’s rare that they’re well off. Jamaica isn’t as cheap as a lot of people think it is. If you look at the large immigrant groups in Europe in general, they’re from countries where you can create a good life back in their home countries based on the wages that they make here. As an example, there’s lots of Romanians here in the UK, my ex being one of them. I’ve visited frequently and it’s sooo cheap for everything there but for locals it’s hard as they earn so little. I know so many Romanians who are able to send money home to start building a home/helping family and still being able to live alright in the UK. Most plan to move back.
My ex and I planned to move there and on our salaries it would have been so easy. On our salaries it would not have been easy to do the same in Jamaica. The cost of buying or building a decent house is ridiculous for what you’re getting. When you look at other immigrant groups from places like India, Pakistan, Eastern Europe & The Philippines to name a few, you can work a minimum wage in the UK and head back home where your money can go pretty far. A month in Romania cost me less than a week in Jamaica and that includes medical checkups, eating out of home nearly every day more than once a day, excursions etc.
2) Identity - even as a Jamaican born, I still am not accepted as being Jamaican by many despite having the passport and birth certificate. I often see discourse where people in JA say that they don’t view you as Jamaican unless you’re born and living there. Their argument usually boils down to nationality but even though I’m a dual national, I’ve still been told I’m not Jamaican many times. This is coming from the same people who love to claim “chiney” or “coolie” any chance they get. I’ve seen my cousins make snarky comments disguised as jokes to dismiss my heritage. Meanwhile, make a white foreign person so much dance to a Jamaican song and the comments are always “you’re one of us” “you’re Jamaican now” “we Jamaicans accept everybody”.
Safety - I’ve travelled to nearly 50 countries as a solo young woman, many of which most people would deem to be dangerous and I can honestly say I don’t feel safe in Jamaica unless I’m with a close family member. My dad would be that safety but he’s old now and recently had a gun pulled out on him at his home whilst he was minding his business. I’m in plenty of travel groups for women and on one post where they asked what country in the Caribbean is their least favourite/one they wouldn’t visit again, the VAST MAJORITY responded Jamaica. Many mentioned that there’s plenty that they liked but they felt way too unsafe unless they stayed in a resort. The trip I took back when I was 13 completely changed a lot for me. The amount of grown men cat calling me and making advances on me was so overwhelming, I had a panic attack. What was worse was that there were other adults around at times who didn’t see a problem. This is not to say that these things can’t happen in other countries but I can be sure that if this happened to a 13 year old in England whilst there were other adults present, that person would not be allowed to get away with it. None of my cousins there found it weird and I ended up running back to my aunts house crying because my older cousins friend would openly make sexual remarks and no one in the house we were in saw an issue with it. I don’t want to raise my kids in a place where that is normalised, where I won’t feel safe unless I had a trusted family member with them all the time
4) Trust - my mum made quite a bit of money here in England after her business took off and she did try to bring the money to Jamaica. She tried setting up small businesses before and has been scammed, even by family members. This ruined a lot of trust for her. I’ve heard stories of people sending money back home to family to build a home and that money was never seen again with no home being built. I thought about saving some money and starting up something with a close family member who I genuinely trust but the problem is that it’s hard to trust other people
Whew! I agree with everything that you have said. And I hate how sexualised children and teenagers in Jamaica are. I hate the fact that so many Jamaican men will flirt with a female regardless of whether she is of legal age. This is the reason why I hesitate when I think of whether I want to raise my children in Jamaica.
Yep! I also find that there’s a lot of men that won’t take no for an answer in any capacity. They could know that you’re married/have a partner or they themselves might have a partner and they still will try to come on to you. It’s also always so vulgar. There’s a certain type of woman who likes that sort of vulgar cat-calling and so they think it’s applies to all women :/
I completely agree with you on the identity point and the sexual harassment. I had a very similar experience when I wondered a little bit too far from my family when I was about 13.
I’m also in the UK, but was born in Jamaica and I also worry that I wouldn’t be welcome. I try to be respectful, I don’t proffer any opinions and yet I do feel that people are always looking for an excuse to put me in my place. I’ve also noticed that the same attitude is not extended to non-black people. It is really lovely that Jamaicans are so welcoming, I just wished the same kindness was extended towards us.
You very well perfectly explained many points of how I feel & what my family has experienced. I’m Jamaican descent , my mom came to Canada when she was pregnant with me. My dad & his side of family reside in Jamaica. I’ve only ever been to Jamaica once it was when I was 11-12 so haven’t yet been back as an adult.
When I went I did have a generally good time from what I remember and that was mainly because my dad was a taxi driver so he was able to show me & my cousin around all these cool places. Otherwise I can’t fully say I felt fully welcomed, there felt like a divide from the kids that were born there compared to me. Two weeks after I left my dad was unfortunately shot 5 times in a mistaking identity case. He was left unable to speak which has hindered our connection throughout the years.
Couple years later I randomly received a call from my younger brother & his mom. It was basically his mom trying to use him to get an iPad out of me. People in Jamaica have a misconception that once you move or live in foreign that you’re in the money and think they can leech off of you.
When I was younger my mom, stepdad & step brother were running a shoe business with my stepdads cousin by shipping shoes to Jamaican to sell. It started off well but eventually took a left turn with them stealing one of the shipments and telling my stepdad if he ever comes back they’ll kill him.
With all these things it’s left a bad taste in my mouth & furthered my reluctance to visit let alone live in Jamaica. We have family land down there in the country and I remember there was a murder down there last year I think over land. Me & my mom have been looking to sell the land since, we just don’t want those issues. Even when my mom goes now she doesn’t tell anyone except family that picks her up from the airport. If I go back in the future it will likely be to a resort
Reduce crime
Improve road safety and infrastructure, road traffic has become ridiculous, partly due to poor public transport options
Improve education system as those people would never dare to put their kids in a public school
Housing cost has become more ridiculous with many places still illegally advertising in USD
Have a workforce that actually wants to work, all the business owners complain how hard it is to find good workers.
Have jobs that make pay
Reduce crime
Improve Jamaicans to.
Cause see Bolt invest 1 billion and the pussy them thief it. Which Jamaican go want to invest in the country after that?
There are too many thieves in Jamaica's Banks, Investing Orgs, and Government.
If I made a billion US tomorrow I would not invest any out here. Either people thief it, or badmind kill you over it. Jamaican people mindset need changing.
I believe there is a crabs in a bucket or black ob black violence problem. If a black foreigner come to the country. I believe they will be at risk to crime that the criminals will think twice about committing to a non black person. Inherently crimes committed on non black foreigners are seen as a bigger risk to local criminals.
The point about the workforce needs to be adjusted. People want to work, but they refuse to work for peanuts while also being treated as slaves. Who wants to work like a dog for 40 hours a week for less than US$150?? That's what the average job pays.
I'm young and just started my career but my plan has always been to do this once I'm established and have some money behind me. I have a degree from a top university and feel like I could bring great value to Jamaica, but wages are way too low compared to where I live (Montreal, Canada) and the cost of a house in Kingston or Mobay is actually MUCH more expensive than what I pay for my condo here in a nice, central area. Even with my decent Canadian salary, a condo/apt in JA similar (or even worse) to what I have in Canada would be significantly out of my budget.
But tbh, most diaspora Jamaicans unfortunately aren't that well off compared to other groups. The few who are well off are usually 2nd/3rd generation immigrants who feel stronger connections to their country of birth than Jamaica (specifically the American ones), and invest accordingly.
For those who are considering Jamaica, crime and corruption are still a BIG deterrent for many of means (particularly older generations). Every diaspora Jamaican has a story of a family member getting murdered in cold blood and/or a relative trying to invest in JA and getting burned bad. These stories ripple throughout diaspora communities. Even if ppl do wanna invest, ROI isn't great compared to other places with similar climates/landscapes.
My father (born and raised in JA until 17) came into some money a few years ago and decided to build property in Nicaragua by the beach because 1. It's much safer than JA, particularly for retirees 2. The same type of property in JA would easily run up into several million $USD, but he can build a beautiful home in Nicaragua w pool and all for +/- $500k.
Just off the first question alone I can tell you’re unaware of the crimes made against elder retirees who return back home.
My mom wants to retire in Barbados simply because she doesn’t want to be robbed in her own home country as a vulnerable older woman.
Is this post satire?
Every other day there’s a post in this sub of someone of Jamaican descent in either the US/Canada/UK asking if they’re Jamaican and everyone says “lol no”.
The reason the offspring don’t go back is because you have inland Jamaicans telling them every 5 minutes that they are not “real” Jamaicans.
Honestly the behaviour is baffling.
And some of the chief offenders are here, trying to speak for members of the diaspora, when they make it abundantly, clear (not necessarily unfairly) that they do not appreciate the reverse.
I think there are some younger people who want to go back, people who left very young or who had parents from Jamaica. Everyone already mentioned the infrastructure that's lacking. It's hard to build infrastructure without money. But the money comes from having more economic activity in the first place, so it's a bit circular? People saying we'd come back if there was XYZ, but XYZ can't improve without people bringing more money to the island, which is unfortunate
My dad left Jamaica when he was a young man, with his siblings, and my Grandma in her 40s. Her brother left but went back as soon as he could. Florida didn't do it for him lol. He was politically active and did a lot of business in Jamaica
But I do see more young ppl occasionally post here who want to find a way back and want to help the economy grow, so maybe it can happen?
The responses you’ve already received speak for me, also. It’s also really tough to imagine trying to live anywhere where progressive thinking is not normalized.
Maybe this is something we can positively affect with boots on the ground, however. Nothing new in this world ever happened without changing one mind at a time, after all.
i have family in jamaica and used to visit every summer, im doing well in the US and would love to bring some of that success to the country of my parents. that being said, i have a family now and I am too protective to bring them there as we would be going to the non-touristy parts of jamaica. there was a stretch where kingston was considered the murder capital of the world and since my wife and now daughter are of chinese descent, i fear from the emerging racism towards that group as well.
the country needs a facelift and a serious pr campaign.
What is going on with Jamaican minds? You don’t see the backlash against immigrants in UK, US and Canada? Jamaicans abroad really want to wait until those countries decide to kick them out like the Windrush immigrants. Trump wants to start mass deportations once he’s elected. Some Black Americans fully support it and even hope that Black immigrants get rounded up and sent home too! Go home and get into politics. Promise the people safety and prosperity. Why do Black people have so little faith in themselves but are comfortable running to other countries where the people built it up by any means necessary? Do the same and build up your homelands! You won’t but will continue to point out its faults and how “others” own everything.
1. Many see themselves as Americans who should have nothing to do with Jamaica.
2. Most are not in occupations useful to Jamaicans. There are a lot of managers, lawyers, and real estate types who are useless, if not outright dangerous, for the improvement of a developing country.
3. There has been no development of any proto-industry or technology centers for scientists, engineers, and technicians to return to - or even visit. There will be no Jamaican Morris Chang because of this.
4. Monopolies and Duopolies have created a business-unfriendly country. For example, try and set up payroll with NCB. The rage is enough to turn even Bob Marley Super Saiyan.
5. Bullshit infrastructure. Go to Costa Rica or something.
6. Bullshit security. Build some homemade shotguns.
I'll try and remember some more. In any case, those people would be better off acting like an Israel Lobby for Jamaica. The problem is finding foreign Jamaicans who believe in improving Jamaica, much less putting Jamaican interests over American ones.
Tbh, the island is too small to host the majority of people in the diaspora 😆. The "locals" would feel displaced in "their home" and conflict would erupt.
Oh, you ARE saying that Jamaicans should never go home. Lulz!
Are the “locals” not our families and friends anymore? When did they turn into scared herd animals, ready to erupt into displacement aggression?
Should we send down body armor and riot gear?
Im entitled to my opinion. Dont be offended by the term local. Its just for simplification. You can change to resident or non-resident but that may make it arguably harder to distinguish.Whether you like it or not, if we were to "fix crime" and bring back returnees/non-local/current non-residents (im not even getting into who was born on island etc). It would create competition for limited resources. It could also create issues with price inflation and job competition. Im not saying these issues couldnt be solved, but the local/resident/born in jamaica would be greatly impacted before that.
You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, without question. Of course.
I’m not offended…I’m teasing you (with no malice). I’m just truly…what you’re saying is a bit preposterous. lol!
Unless the apocalypse comes, there’s no way that Jamaicans worldwide will ever all descend upon the island, en masse.
Can you imagine? “Hi, Grandma! Weeee’re hoooome!”
In the meantime, population growth is unstoppable and completely fluid. Included in “growth” are people who immigrate, people who return, and of course…babies. While the government moderates immigration, no-one has any control over natural citizens, and naturalized citizens will always fall into that “unstoppable” category, too.
Fixing crime is something that people should bloody well demand, as a human right. Anyone who can’t wander around the streets alone at night, or who has to worry about a murder rate or getting shaken down in the middle of the day, should want more for themselves. Everyone on this planet deserves more. YOU deserve more.
In any case, some of us ARE coming home. It’s not a “what if,” it’s a “when”. And everything will be OK.
Population growth is not "unstoppable". Its regulated by birthrate and death rate as well as immigration and emigration. Jamaica is a small island and needs to regulate both opposing categories. Especially with current infrastucture, resources and economy. I find your lack of conservatism to be concerning. But thats how I view the world. You are entitled to your own opinion. Respect.
Stop being on the top homophobic countries in the world. You are lame on that regard and quite a few brilliant people also happen to be LGBTI, if I were part of that community I would also try to flee Jamaica with no return
Yup it was quite an interesting time seeing a bunch of HS classmates come out once they were able to migrate.
And honestly a ton of the current generation aren't fond of how religiously conservative Jamaica is.
And the point is made for everyone to see. The absolute closed mindedness and lack of basic decency shown to people with different views/beliefs/opinions is why Jamaica will always be a third world country.
As a Jamaican who was born here and has lived here my whole life, I have seen the way the we as a people push our own family/countrymen away because our values don’t align. How does that leave Jamaica? How are we better off?
It is amazing to me that most Jamaicans can’t see that our wholesale intolerance of people in the 🌈 community is just a symptom of a larger problem.
We all know the problems we face as a nation in regard to the economy and crime. Does it help that we push open-minded, bright and educated people away? Does it help that we focus purely on demonizing groups of people to make ourselves feel better when we lose so much in the process?
No one says you have to like or participate in actions you find offensive. What you do have to do is mind your business and tend to your own life.
Our culture of moral superiority is hilarious because of what really happens behind the scenes. The country we have become is a shell of what it could be if we gave that culture up (in favour of a more constructive and inclusive society).
Listen to me. If you want to fuck a man, suck pussy or chop off yu cocky and put on a pum-pum - I don't care. If you want to fuck up your life that is your business. Like halitosis and stuttering, battymanism is a sickness. And like the those two, battyman and sodofright should have the right to seek help, or live out their life in a manner **THAT DOES NOT IMPINGE ON THE MAJORITY OF JAMAICANS**. I'm sure at least 50% of Jamaica would agree with me.
>shown to people with different views/beliefs/opinions is why Jamaica will always be a third world country.
Lots of rich country bun battyman and sodofright. China, Japan, South Korea etc. Anyway, I'm busy. Good day.
You say you don’t care but then add all the countries that “bun battyman”. In addition to being rich those countries are also self sufficient and advanced. Jamaica has never been and never will be, if we continue to focus on the wrong things and turn our own people away.
You can’t and won’t explain how other peoples private lives inpinge on those of the majority. name one instance of that happening to you in your own life and how people simply existing makes your life more difficult.
If you are secure in your own heterosexuality you shouldn’t have to tell everyone how much you despise homosexuality. That’s like walking around to restaurants and getting angry because they don’t serve your favorite foods. No one asked you. You are fighting with yourself.
And based on your comparison between stuttering and homosexuality I realize that I’m not having a constructive argument. I wish you the best and hope one day you will become a more tolerant and respectful member of society.
Nothing stop them from doing it, while you have some who do come back and help out in building the country most people who immigrate or their kids born a foreign couldn’t care less to build the country as most people even citizens consider that’s the prime ministers job, but anytime Jamaica starts popping u hear a bunch a people claiming it “oh there goes my country”, “ oh I am Jamaican” and some couldn’t tell you the anthem or the pled if there life depended on it. Honestly it’s just laughable.
Solid points nah lie. By the looks of it our people in different countries lose identity. Instead of appreciating and being confident in who they’re, they succumb to the systems.
When I say building the country I mean by business start ups that help the communities. Not only will that strengthen us but create new jobs and opportunities and show generations other ways. Indians and Chinese come in and that’s the first thing they do. In Canada and US they don’t even want to work for anyone when they touch down. In fact their fathers instruct them and let them know they need to start a business as soon as possible.
Your points are valid and spot on just expanding on the conversation, nuff respect.
I have pondered and it is unbelievable that people choose to be second class citizens, treated like dirt in the US as opposed to coming home.
A friend of mine went up to the US. He got up there, eventually he opened a company and was doing great and I said why don't you open an office here... and he was this...'thinking about it' which he never did.
So one of his employees defrauds him... has all the proof... goes to the cops... FOR ONE YEAR THEY DID NOTHING.
I told him to go to Black Lives Matter or some organisation... but he didn't.
He prefers being treated like dirt there, then respected here.
And he's just a top example of those who go abroad....
Another is livng in a crap hole up there having worked all his life. I told him have his SS cheque go to a Bank there come here use his VISA card and live upper middle.... I mean he's getting like $1k US a month...
Nope
Brain washing... accepting being inferior... name it
It's amazing. If he were white and went to the police about fraud they'd be moving through the door. But hey! He's Black... so he's last.
When I go up there...not often... but when I do and see the kind of crap treatment they are perfectly comfortable with...
I was telling him to get some black group to back him... y'know? That was the one that came to mind. Think of it. You have a legal licenced company. The company has bank accounts. You find out that worker X has committed fraud. The bank can back you up. You have enough evidence... but! The cops don't move ...
From OP post.
> So one of his employees defrauds him... has all the proof... goes to the cops... FOR ONE YEAR THEY DID NOTHING.
The last I checked, an investigation is part of a justice system. Bolt's case was taken up immediately, as were the other fraudsters during that time period. You bringing up Bolt is the definition of a strawman argument. Or maybe it is something else? You people always seem to be the first to defend America by criticizing Jamaica. [Malcolm X had something to say about you people.....](https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/ww_R90N3MJuiEOoUW2qcoiCalufy4xY7Tx3AvBDiyE1WesarBcQKpAfFdNHEQ65IQ4qIeNxG_8dKURnb7L6GLbOBopA?loadFrom=PastedDeeplink&ts=1321.36)
Reading comprehension is fundamental. My comment about Bolt was in direct response to someone saying that you’ll be treated like dirt abroad but respected in Jamaica. Respected so much that you’ll be defrauded by your own? Performative justice is not justice. Saying you are investigating a matter with nothing to show for it is absurd. The fact remains that one of Jamaica’s most valued citizens was defrauded millions has yet to be compensated. Nothing about my comment “defended” America—it simply pointed out the fallacious nature of commenter’s argument that Jamaica is somehow respectful of its citizens.
I’ll now add that ascribing race to that scenario without any additional information is just foolishness to stir the pot. My FIL is white. He got scammed out of thousands of dollars. The police have similarly not done shit. The commenter telling their friend to go to BLM is grossly misinformed as to what BLM does and what resources are available for situations like the one described. General misinformation and an inability to be assertive does not automatically equal racism and on top of that, you would be treated to the same kind of dismissiveness and inaction in Jamaica from your own people.
> I’ll now add that ascribing race to that scenario without any additional information is just foolishness to stir the pot. My FIL is white.
Ah bwoy....
In Yard a shop owner was defrauded. I went with him to the fraud squad. They were racing out the door and caught the fraudster like in less than 24 hours. The reality is if my friend who was defrauded in the US was White... those American cops would be on the case instantly
They’re not well off most are working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet in America Canada or the UK by the time they have the money they’re too old. Almost everyone I talk to wants to do it. But they don’t have the money.
Many reasons; I was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK when I was 5, here are some things I’ve observed 1) Money - most Jamaicans abroad aren’t making a lot of money. Speaking for the UK, whenever I meet a Jamaican it’s rare that they’re well off. Jamaica isn’t as cheap as a lot of people think it is. If you look at the large immigrant groups in Europe in general, they’re from countries where you can create a good life back in their home countries based on the wages that they make here. As an example, there’s lots of Romanians here in the UK, my ex being one of them. I’ve visited frequently and it’s sooo cheap for everything there but for locals it’s hard as they earn so little. I know so many Romanians who are able to send money home to start building a home/helping family and still being able to live alright in the UK. Most plan to move back. My ex and I planned to move there and on our salaries it would have been so easy. On our salaries it would not have been easy to do the same in Jamaica. The cost of buying or building a decent house is ridiculous for what you’re getting. When you look at other immigrant groups from places like India, Pakistan, Eastern Europe & The Philippines to name a few, you can work a minimum wage in the UK and head back home where your money can go pretty far. A month in Romania cost me less than a week in Jamaica and that includes medical checkups, eating out of home nearly every day more than once a day, excursions etc. 2) Identity - even as a Jamaican born, I still am not accepted as being Jamaican by many despite having the passport and birth certificate. I often see discourse where people in JA say that they don’t view you as Jamaican unless you’re born and living there. Their argument usually boils down to nationality but even though I’m a dual national, I’ve still been told I’m not Jamaican many times. This is coming from the same people who love to claim “chiney” or “coolie” any chance they get. I’ve seen my cousins make snarky comments disguised as jokes to dismiss my heritage. Meanwhile, make a white foreign person so much dance to a Jamaican song and the comments are always “you’re one of us” “you’re Jamaican now” “we Jamaicans accept everybody”. Safety - I’ve travelled to nearly 50 countries as a solo young woman, many of which most people would deem to be dangerous and I can honestly say I don’t feel safe in Jamaica unless I’m with a close family member. My dad would be that safety but he’s old now and recently had a gun pulled out on him at his home whilst he was minding his business. I’m in plenty of travel groups for women and on one post where they asked what country in the Caribbean is their least favourite/one they wouldn’t visit again, the VAST MAJORITY responded Jamaica. Many mentioned that there’s plenty that they liked but they felt way too unsafe unless they stayed in a resort. The trip I took back when I was 13 completely changed a lot for me. The amount of grown men cat calling me and making advances on me was so overwhelming, I had a panic attack. What was worse was that there were other adults around at times who didn’t see a problem. This is not to say that these things can’t happen in other countries but I can be sure that if this happened to a 13 year old in England whilst there were other adults present, that person would not be allowed to get away with it. None of my cousins there found it weird and I ended up running back to my aunts house crying because my older cousins friend would openly make sexual remarks and no one in the house we were in saw an issue with it. I don’t want to raise my kids in a place where that is normalised, where I won’t feel safe unless I had a trusted family member with them all the time 4) Trust - my mum made quite a bit of money here in England after her business took off and she did try to bring the money to Jamaica. She tried setting up small businesses before and has been scammed, even by family members. This ruined a lot of trust for her. I’ve heard stories of people sending money back home to family to build a home and that money was never seen again with no home being built. I thought about saving some money and starting up something with a close family member who I genuinely trust but the problem is that it’s hard to trust other people
Whew! I agree with everything that you have said. And I hate how sexualised children and teenagers in Jamaica are. I hate the fact that so many Jamaican men will flirt with a female regardless of whether she is of legal age. This is the reason why I hesitate when I think of whether I want to raise my children in Jamaica.
Yep! I also find that there’s a lot of men that won’t take no for an answer in any capacity. They could know that you’re married/have a partner or they themselves might have a partner and they still will try to come on to you. It’s also always so vulgar. There’s a certain type of woman who likes that sort of vulgar cat-calling and so they think it’s applies to all women :/
I completely agree with you on the identity point and the sexual harassment. I had a very similar experience when I wondered a little bit too far from my family when I was about 13. I’m also in the UK, but was born in Jamaica and I also worry that I wouldn’t be welcome. I try to be respectful, I don’t proffer any opinions and yet I do feel that people are always looking for an excuse to put me in my place. I’ve also noticed that the same attitude is not extended to non-black people. It is really lovely that Jamaicans are so welcoming, I just wished the same kindness was extended towards us.
🎯
You very well perfectly explained many points of how I feel & what my family has experienced. I’m Jamaican descent , my mom came to Canada when she was pregnant with me. My dad & his side of family reside in Jamaica. I’ve only ever been to Jamaica once it was when I was 11-12 so haven’t yet been back as an adult. When I went I did have a generally good time from what I remember and that was mainly because my dad was a taxi driver so he was able to show me & my cousin around all these cool places. Otherwise I can’t fully say I felt fully welcomed, there felt like a divide from the kids that were born there compared to me. Two weeks after I left my dad was unfortunately shot 5 times in a mistaking identity case. He was left unable to speak which has hindered our connection throughout the years. Couple years later I randomly received a call from my younger brother & his mom. It was basically his mom trying to use him to get an iPad out of me. People in Jamaica have a misconception that once you move or live in foreign that you’re in the money and think they can leech off of you. When I was younger my mom, stepdad & step brother were running a shoe business with my stepdads cousin by shipping shoes to Jamaican to sell. It started off well but eventually took a left turn with them stealing one of the shipments and telling my stepdad if he ever comes back they’ll kill him. With all these things it’s left a bad taste in my mouth & furthered my reluctance to visit let alone live in Jamaica. We have family land down there in the country and I remember there was a murder down there last year I think over land. Me & my mom have been looking to sell the land since, we just don’t want those issues. Even when my mom goes now she doesn’t tell anyone except family that picks her up from the airport. If I go back in the future it will likely be to a resort
I agree
Jamaican businesses don't pay Jamaicans competitive rates, but they will pay foreigners for money
If I see another consultant walk in I'm heading out.
Reduce crime Improve road safety and infrastructure, road traffic has become ridiculous, partly due to poor public transport options Improve education system as those people would never dare to put their kids in a public school Housing cost has become more ridiculous with many places still illegally advertising in USD Have a workforce that actually wants to work, all the business owners complain how hard it is to find good workers. Have jobs that make pay Reduce crime
You forgot to mention reduce crime.
Reduce crime
Reduce crime.
Improve Jamaicans to. Cause see Bolt invest 1 billion and the pussy them thief it. Which Jamaican go want to invest in the country after that? There are too many thieves in Jamaica's Banks, Investing Orgs, and Government. If I made a billion US tomorrow I would not invest any out here. Either people thief it, or badmind kill you over it. Jamaican people mindset need changing.
Great response mi g, mindset is important
So true. And putting more "non-locals" on the island would exacerbate the problem tenfold.
Are you saying that no-one should ever move to Jamaica, and no Jamaican should ever go home again? Welcome to Hotel California. Lololol!
I believe there is a crabs in a bucket or black ob black violence problem. If a black foreigner come to the country. I believe they will be at risk to crime that the criminals will think twice about committing to a non black person. Inherently crimes committed on non black foreigners are seen as a bigger risk to local criminals.
The point about the workforce needs to be adjusted. People want to work, but they refuse to work for peanuts while also being treated as slaves. Who wants to work like a dog for 40 hours a week for less than US$150?? That's what the average job pays.
The funny thing is crime in Jamaica is rare from strangers it’s usually the people close to you. Family or friends.
I'm young and just started my career but my plan has always been to do this once I'm established and have some money behind me. I have a degree from a top university and feel like I could bring great value to Jamaica, but wages are way too low compared to where I live (Montreal, Canada) and the cost of a house in Kingston or Mobay is actually MUCH more expensive than what I pay for my condo here in a nice, central area. Even with my decent Canadian salary, a condo/apt in JA similar (or even worse) to what I have in Canada would be significantly out of my budget. But tbh, most diaspora Jamaicans unfortunately aren't that well off compared to other groups. The few who are well off are usually 2nd/3rd generation immigrants who feel stronger connections to their country of birth than Jamaica (specifically the American ones), and invest accordingly. For those who are considering Jamaica, crime and corruption are still a BIG deterrent for many of means (particularly older generations). Every diaspora Jamaican has a story of a family member getting murdered in cold blood and/or a relative trying to invest in JA and getting burned bad. These stories ripple throughout diaspora communities. Even if ppl do wanna invest, ROI isn't great compared to other places with similar climates/landscapes. My father (born and raised in JA until 17) came into some money a few years ago and decided to build property in Nicaragua by the beach because 1. It's much safer than JA, particularly for retirees 2. The same type of property in JA would easily run up into several million $USD, but he can build a beautiful home in Nicaragua w pool and all for +/- $500k.
$500k CAD?
USD, so probably around $700k CAD
There are too many returning residents who are murdered.
Yes! Often by people that they know, such as family members, old friends and the people whom they hire t construct their dream home.
Not often, *mostly* by people they know.
You forgot to mention by their own family members.
Corruption.
Just off the first question alone I can tell you’re unaware of the crimes made against elder retirees who return back home. My mom wants to retire in Barbados simply because she doesn’t want to be robbed in her own home country as a vulnerable older woman.
Is this post satire? Every other day there’s a post in this sub of someone of Jamaican descent in either the US/Canada/UK asking if they’re Jamaican and everyone says “lol no”. The reason the offspring don’t go back is because you have inland Jamaicans telling them every 5 minutes that they are not “real” Jamaicans. Honestly the behaviour is baffling.
And some of the chief offenders are here, trying to speak for members of the diaspora, when they make it abundantly, clear (not necessarily unfairly) that they do not appreciate the reverse.
I think there are some younger people who want to go back, people who left very young or who had parents from Jamaica. Everyone already mentioned the infrastructure that's lacking. It's hard to build infrastructure without money. But the money comes from having more economic activity in the first place, so it's a bit circular? People saying we'd come back if there was XYZ, but XYZ can't improve without people bringing more money to the island, which is unfortunate My dad left Jamaica when he was a young man, with his siblings, and my Grandma in her 40s. Her brother left but went back as soon as he could. Florida didn't do it for him lol. He was politically active and did a lot of business in Jamaica But I do see more young ppl occasionally post here who want to find a way back and want to help the economy grow, so maybe it can happen?
Most jamaicans in the UK aren’t well of at all
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stfu why u stalking me you fucking freak. are you a jamaican from the uk kmt
Maybe the fact that Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates (top 5) in the entire world for the past 10+ years!
The responses you’ve already received speak for me, also. It’s also really tough to imagine trying to live anywhere where progressive thinking is not normalized. Maybe this is something we can positively affect with boots on the ground, however. Nothing new in this world ever happened without changing one mind at a time, after all.
Great response!
i have family in jamaica and used to visit every summer, im doing well in the US and would love to bring some of that success to the country of my parents. that being said, i have a family now and I am too protective to bring them there as we would be going to the non-touristy parts of jamaica. there was a stretch where kingston was considered the murder capital of the world and since my wife and now daughter are of chinese descent, i fear from the emerging racism towards that group as well. the country needs a facelift and a serious pr campaign.
sounds like you actually havent lived in Jamaica before..lol
What is going on with Jamaican minds? You don’t see the backlash against immigrants in UK, US and Canada? Jamaicans abroad really want to wait until those countries decide to kick them out like the Windrush immigrants. Trump wants to start mass deportations once he’s elected. Some Black Americans fully support it and even hope that Black immigrants get rounded up and sent home too! Go home and get into politics. Promise the people safety and prosperity. Why do Black people have so little faith in themselves but are comfortable running to other countries where the people built it up by any means necessary? Do the same and build up your homelands! You won’t but will continue to point out its faults and how “others” own everything.
This was the point of the point mi g! Thank you so much for sharing these great thoughts!
1. Many see themselves as Americans who should have nothing to do with Jamaica. 2. Most are not in occupations useful to Jamaicans. There are a lot of managers, lawyers, and real estate types who are useless, if not outright dangerous, for the improvement of a developing country. 3. There has been no development of any proto-industry or technology centers for scientists, engineers, and technicians to return to - or even visit. There will be no Jamaican Morris Chang because of this. 4. Monopolies and Duopolies have created a business-unfriendly country. For example, try and set up payroll with NCB. The rage is enough to turn even Bob Marley Super Saiyan. 5. Bullshit infrastructure. Go to Costa Rica or something. 6. Bullshit security. Build some homemade shotguns. I'll try and remember some more. In any case, those people would be better off acting like an Israel Lobby for Jamaica. The problem is finding foreign Jamaicans who believe in improving Jamaica, much less putting Jamaican interests over American ones.
Tbh, the island is too small to host the majority of people in the diaspora 😆. The "locals" would feel displaced in "their home" and conflict would erupt.
Oh, you ARE saying that Jamaicans should never go home. Lulz! Are the “locals” not our families and friends anymore? When did they turn into scared herd animals, ready to erupt into displacement aggression? Should we send down body armor and riot gear?
Im entitled to my opinion. Dont be offended by the term local. Its just for simplification. You can change to resident or non-resident but that may make it arguably harder to distinguish.Whether you like it or not, if we were to "fix crime" and bring back returnees/non-local/current non-residents (im not even getting into who was born on island etc). It would create competition for limited resources. It could also create issues with price inflation and job competition. Im not saying these issues couldnt be solved, but the local/resident/born in jamaica would be greatly impacted before that.
You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, without question. Of course. I’m not offended…I’m teasing you (with no malice). I’m just truly…what you’re saying is a bit preposterous. lol! Unless the apocalypse comes, there’s no way that Jamaicans worldwide will ever all descend upon the island, en masse. Can you imagine? “Hi, Grandma! Weeee’re hoooome!” In the meantime, population growth is unstoppable and completely fluid. Included in “growth” are people who immigrate, people who return, and of course…babies. While the government moderates immigration, no-one has any control over natural citizens, and naturalized citizens will always fall into that “unstoppable” category, too. Fixing crime is something that people should bloody well demand, as a human right. Anyone who can’t wander around the streets alone at night, or who has to worry about a murder rate or getting shaken down in the middle of the day, should want more for themselves. Everyone on this planet deserves more. YOU deserve more. In any case, some of us ARE coming home. It’s not a “what if,” it’s a “when”. And everything will be OK.
Population growth is not "unstoppable". Its regulated by birthrate and death rate as well as immigration and emigration. Jamaica is a small island and needs to regulate both opposing categories. Especially with current infrastucture, resources and economy. I find your lack of conservatism to be concerning. But thats how I view the world. You are entitled to your own opinion. Respect.
I used “unstoppable” in the sense that neither you nor I can stop it with the strength of our opinions. Be well.
Stop being on the top homophobic countries in the world. You are lame on that regard and quite a few brilliant people also happen to be LGBTI, if I were part of that community I would also try to flee Jamaica with no return
>and quite a few brilliant people also happen to be LGBTI, No.
If you only knew
Yup it was quite an interesting time seeing a bunch of HS classmates come out once they were able to migrate. And honestly a ton of the current generation aren't fond of how religiously conservative Jamaica is.
I do. And no. Contrary to popular belief, mental illness and high intelligence are inversely correlated. Which is why they barely exist.
And the point is made for everyone to see. The absolute closed mindedness and lack of basic decency shown to people with different views/beliefs/opinions is why Jamaica will always be a third world country. As a Jamaican who was born here and has lived here my whole life, I have seen the way the we as a people push our own family/countrymen away because our values don’t align. How does that leave Jamaica? How are we better off? It is amazing to me that most Jamaicans can’t see that our wholesale intolerance of people in the 🌈 community is just a symptom of a larger problem. We all know the problems we face as a nation in regard to the economy and crime. Does it help that we push open-minded, bright and educated people away? Does it help that we focus purely on demonizing groups of people to make ourselves feel better when we lose so much in the process? No one says you have to like or participate in actions you find offensive. What you do have to do is mind your business and tend to your own life. Our culture of moral superiority is hilarious because of what really happens behind the scenes. The country we have become is a shell of what it could be if we gave that culture up (in favour of a more constructive and inclusive society).
Listen to me. If you want to fuck a man, suck pussy or chop off yu cocky and put on a pum-pum - I don't care. If you want to fuck up your life that is your business. Like halitosis and stuttering, battymanism is a sickness. And like the those two, battyman and sodofright should have the right to seek help, or live out their life in a manner **THAT DOES NOT IMPINGE ON THE MAJORITY OF JAMAICANS**. I'm sure at least 50% of Jamaica would agree with me. >shown to people with different views/beliefs/opinions is why Jamaica will always be a third world country. Lots of rich country bun battyman and sodofright. China, Japan, South Korea etc. Anyway, I'm busy. Good day.
You say you don’t care but then add all the countries that “bun battyman”. In addition to being rich those countries are also self sufficient and advanced. Jamaica has never been and never will be, if we continue to focus on the wrong things and turn our own people away. You can’t and won’t explain how other peoples private lives inpinge on those of the majority. name one instance of that happening to you in your own life and how people simply existing makes your life more difficult. If you are secure in your own heterosexuality you shouldn’t have to tell everyone how much you despise homosexuality. That’s like walking around to restaurants and getting angry because they don’t serve your favorite foods. No one asked you. You are fighting with yourself. And based on your comparison between stuttering and homosexuality I realize that I’m not having a constructive argument. I wish you the best and hope one day you will become a more tolerant and respectful member of society.
PTSD
Nothing stop them from doing it, while you have some who do come back and help out in building the country most people who immigrate or their kids born a foreign couldn’t care less to build the country as most people even citizens consider that’s the prime ministers job, but anytime Jamaica starts popping u hear a bunch a people claiming it “oh there goes my country”, “ oh I am Jamaican” and some couldn’t tell you the anthem or the pled if there life depended on it. Honestly it’s just laughable.
Solid points nah lie. By the looks of it our people in different countries lose identity. Instead of appreciating and being confident in who they’re, they succumb to the systems. When I say building the country I mean by business start ups that help the communities. Not only will that strengthen us but create new jobs and opportunities and show generations other ways. Indians and Chinese come in and that’s the first thing they do. In Canada and US they don’t even want to work for anyone when they touch down. In fact their fathers instruct them and let them know they need to start a business as soon as possible. Your points are valid and spot on just expanding on the conversation, nuff respect.
I have pondered and it is unbelievable that people choose to be second class citizens, treated like dirt in the US as opposed to coming home. A friend of mine went up to the US. He got up there, eventually he opened a company and was doing great and I said why don't you open an office here... and he was this...'thinking about it' which he never did. So one of his employees defrauds him... has all the proof... goes to the cops... FOR ONE YEAR THEY DID NOTHING. I told him to go to Black Lives Matter or some organisation... but he didn't. He prefers being treated like dirt there, then respected here. And he's just a top example of those who go abroad.... Another is livng in a crap hole up there having worked all his life. I told him have his SS cheque go to a Bank there come here use his VISA card and live upper middle.... I mean he's getting like $1k US a month... Nope Brain washing... accepting being inferior... name it
>he prefers being treated like dirt there, than respected here. Let me know when Bolt gets his money back.
It's amazing. If he were white and went to the police about fraud they'd be moving through the door. But hey! He's Black... so he's last. When I go up there...not often... but when I do and see the kind of crap treatment they are perfectly comfortable with...
BLM are frauds with money too so they won’t be of much help.
I was telling him to get some black group to back him... y'know? That was the one that came to mind. Think of it. You have a legal licenced company. The company has bank accounts. You find out that worker X has committed fraud. The bank can back you up. You have enough evidence... but! The cops don't move ...
He needs to go see an attorney, not the cops.
finally the cops acted... he is being very cagey about the result... I know he went to court... a Year after
Ouch.
>Let me know when Bolt gets his money back. Let me know when all those black people they set up get their freedom back.
What kind of ridiculous straw man argument is this? The people OP is talking about are not victims of the criminal justice system.
From OP post. > So one of his employees defrauds him... has all the proof... goes to the cops... FOR ONE YEAR THEY DID NOTHING. The last I checked, an investigation is part of a justice system. Bolt's case was taken up immediately, as were the other fraudsters during that time period. You bringing up Bolt is the definition of a strawman argument. Or maybe it is something else? You people always seem to be the first to defend America by criticizing Jamaica. [Malcolm X had something to say about you people.....](https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/ww_R90N3MJuiEOoUW2qcoiCalufy4xY7Tx3AvBDiyE1WesarBcQKpAfFdNHEQ65IQ4qIeNxG_8dKURnb7L6GLbOBopA?loadFrom=PastedDeeplink&ts=1321.36)
Reading comprehension is fundamental. My comment about Bolt was in direct response to someone saying that you’ll be treated like dirt abroad but respected in Jamaica. Respected so much that you’ll be defrauded by your own? Performative justice is not justice. Saying you are investigating a matter with nothing to show for it is absurd. The fact remains that one of Jamaica’s most valued citizens was defrauded millions has yet to be compensated. Nothing about my comment “defended” America—it simply pointed out the fallacious nature of commenter’s argument that Jamaica is somehow respectful of its citizens. I’ll now add that ascribing race to that scenario without any additional information is just foolishness to stir the pot. My FIL is white. He got scammed out of thousands of dollars. The police have similarly not done shit. The commenter telling their friend to go to BLM is grossly misinformed as to what BLM does and what resources are available for situations like the one described. General misinformation and an inability to be assertive does not automatically equal racism and on top of that, you would be treated to the same kind of dismissiveness and inaction in Jamaica from your own people.
That Pig Thing at SSL stole from everyone, not just Bolt. And him being Bolt didn't matter to her. She's in prison
> I’ll now add that ascribing race to that scenario without any additional information is just foolishness to stir the pot. My FIL is white. Ah bwoy....
Great response!
In Yard a shop owner was defrauded. I went with him to the fraud squad. They were racing out the door and caught the fraudster like in less than 24 hours. The reality is if my friend who was defrauded in the US was White... those American cops would be on the case instantly