Conor Finn

Professor Torres

Jamaican Culture Blog

The immigration of Jamaicans to North America is partly due to the violence that has reasserted itself into the public’s eye. The political system in Jamaica has caused social unrest and the renewal of gang violence has caused terrible pain amongst some families in Jamaica. “A renewal of gang violence in Kingston in July 2001 and January 2002 claimed 27 and seven lives respectively.”

 The history of Jamaica has been plagued by oppression and brutal treatment and  in recent years the violence has driven families from their homeland and to the U.S.  

The shores of Kennebunk, Maine grant thousands of Jamaicans places to work in the summer. They have to receive work permits to come to the United States. Each foreigner I spoke to about whether it was worth it or not to come to the states replied enthusiastically it was well worth it! For these workers who come in the summer get to experience the values of America. These Jamaican workers that travel in the summer months are brave and adventurous humans because they leave everything they know back home to experience a new cultural environment. Traveling is something that is much underestimated, and more of the world can learn from my Jamaican friends. In the summertime they choose to come to the United States and work in favorable conditions. They leave their home behind but their culture stays with them because it has been engrained into their souls. 

¹ Jamaica- Culture and History. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/jamaica--culture-amp-history-20081128-6l74.html?page=1. 2009 Fairfax Digital