Blood and Fire:
Jamaica’s Political History
Jamaica is an island that has been shaped by rebellion. Historically black people in Jamaica have fought against colonial occupation more aggressively than any of Britain’s possessions. In fact it is believed that Jamaica had more runaway slaves than any other British colony. It was an innate desire for freedom and disgust of Babylon that spearheaded the fight towards Jamaican Independence in 1962. This was a moment of great pride in Jamaican history. However, despite at once being the fastest growing economy in the developing world, Jamaica (like most colonised States) has struggled to reach it’s optimum potential against a complex landscape of socio-economic issues. A significant proportion of these problems are linked to the history of slavery on the island and its legacy of racism and discrimination.