The US has issued a level three travel advisory against Jamaica citing inadequate healthcare and elevated levels of crime and violence (see U.S. travel advisory for Jamaica warns Americans to reconsider visits amid spate of murders – CBS News). According to statistics published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the nation — which has a population of about 2.8 million — had recorded 65 homicides between Jan. 1 and Jan. 27 of 2024. While, that represents a significant drop from the same period the previous year when there were 81 homicides. The data show a major drop in the number of recorded rapes in January 2024 compared to the previous year. If Crime has fallen, why is there a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to Jamaica? Tourists have enjoyed the islands with no major attacks over the last 5 years and what crime remains is concentrated in places and spaces that tourists do not travel on the island, where there is peace and serenity. This seems ominous and unfactual using outdated facts to justify the travel advisory.
This represents the US corrupting the truth and applying the usual strategy to extend or retake control and to limit any gains or advantages that Jamaica has been realizing over the last few years. The Caribbean and Post-Independent countries, black celebrities, and people should not allow the privilege to use travel advisories and Ad deals, such as sneaker deals that NBA players have with Nike, to take away their freedoms and independence. That is why our wealth has to be organic and not hinged on the external or those who continue to use such tools to weaponize themselves against any competition from the historically poor.
The State Dept issuance of a travel advisory on the island of Jamaica is a strategic move by the US to limit the rising competition and to control the island as Jamaica is not unstable and has been gaining while lowering crime and violence.
Cities in the US are dealing with mass shootings and rising crime and violence while Jamaica’s murder rate has been cut in half compared to last year. Yet, the US used this calm moment to issue a travel advisory against Jamaica citing rising homicides when this is not widespread and limited to certain inner-cities like that of Philadelphia and Chicago yet there is no travel advisory not to travel to Philadelphia.
However, the US does not like to be outshined by poorer peoples and countries. So they have sought to slap a punitive action against Jamaica to continue to enslave the peoples into doing its bidding or to limit the competition. Every country has the right to advise its citizens, but it must be reasonable and fair. Moreover, smaller countries should not allow themselves to be bullied by bigger countries using such tactics to control. That is why Caribbean unity and integration are pivotal and Black Brown and working-class people must remain supportive and together. Americans must not allow our government to continue these dictatorial and unfair tactics of the Caribbean and black countries.
We have a responsibility as immigrants from another country, living in this land to fight for those who we have left behind, and to past on this fight to our children and grandchildren, first and second-generation Americans. We must hold our governments accountable for decisions and actions here that affect our peoples from the homelands, not necessarily Africa, but the Caribbean and from where ever we hail. We must never throw stones behind us!
If violent crime and murders are down in Jamaica, was it fair for the US to slap a level 3 travel advisory on Jamaica?
Note: A copy of this post was sent for consideration to be published as a letter in the Jamaica Gleaner.
Watch the commentary by Renaldo McKenzie on The NeoLiberal Round YouTube channel:
or Listen on The NeoLiberal Round Podcast
Submitted by Renaldo McKenzie, author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance and Adjunct Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary and a Doctoral Candidate at Georgetown University and Temple University, a graduate at the University of Pennsylvania, Creator and host of The NeoLiberal Round Podcast.
Reference:
McKenzie, Renaldo C. “Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance”. Philadelphia: The NeoLiberal Corporation. 2021.
Roland Martin Unfiltered – WTH?!? Jamaica Hit with a Level 3 Travel Advisory by U.S. State Department via Youtube.
The NeoLiberal Post is a Publication of The NeoLiberal Corporation.
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