Essay Title

"Life & Debt": A Tourist's Review

By Adjua Dubb

january2002

I will tell anyone who hasn't had the opportunity---- go and visit Jamaica---GO AND VISIT JAMAICA.

I am a mere novice at touring the island, having only visited twice in my life. I have visited some very important areas and areas less toured or considered "touristy"–no conga lines, no American food, no tour buses to make me feel secure from the "natives." No, none of that. The popular commercial for Jamaica, featuring the "Come to Jamaica and feel alright" ad, makes me sick to my stomach every time I see it. So I am neither enticed by the resort life nor take the sedated view that my problems cease upon entering the land of wood and water. When I visited, I chose to visit the Maroon towns of Accompongtown and Cockpit Country–lands that have not been adulterated with all the hype, frills and conveniences of modern Jamaica. A land that bares no McDonalds, no Kentucky Fried and no remedial access to any of it. This is Maroon territory and there's a distinct difference between it and the rest of Jamaica, however, even so, the reality of it is that all people in Jamaica must survive by the tourist dollar. In Accompongtown, one can see the everyday life that the people have to endure to survive to keep a land that is solely their own. Production of agriculture is the land's most infinite treasure, and farming skills are subtlely expected of everyone. Upon both my visits to the historic land, I felt privileged to have ventured into one the oldest lands and archetypes of Jamaica for self-perseverance, self-reliance and self-determination.

I never want to feel like a tourist when visiting Jamaica, though it is obvious that I am, and in my heart, I feel Jamaica is a home, a home in which I cherish the culture, work and history of the people that live there.

However, there is an undercurrent to all of this. I can leave the island and fly back to my "native" land of America, and find comfort that I've seen another side of the world, go back to my normal routine and feel as though I got something out of my visit. Meanwhile in Jamaica, getting off the island is not so easy and full of obstacles. For those who can’t leave, a constant turmoil and pressure exists for the native people to survive. It's a sufferation that many Jamaican singers have sung about in their music, a deprivation that Rastafari has contemplated in its philosophy, a degradation that everyday farmers, workers, fathers, mothers and children have to contend with everyday because they are black, poor and in Jamaica.

"Life and Debt," a striking and compelling documentary from Stephanie Black, gives the tourist a parallel view to their luxurious and fun-loving visit. She presents the side of Jamaica with a bloody and inhumane history steeped in European invasion, Arawak extermination and African enslavement.

Today's story of the modern Jamaica still shows the European invasion, and a large body of African enslavement at the hands of multinational corporations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

We are often very perplexed when we hear that many "Third World" countries are in debt to the US in billions of dollars. It becomes a scathing news headline and not really given any insightful depth and research as to why. How can that be? After 400 years of slave labor how can these countries be in debt to the United States and their cohorts: the IMF, WB and WTO. "Life and Debt" tells you why, and gives you first hand account as to how the US and its European partners created and manipulated a trade system to create extra dollars in revenue for themselves, devalue Jamaican currency and wipe out the Jamaican businessman/farmer/worker.

Exacerbated rules, regulations, interests and fees incurred on black poor nations that had to find their own way into the global market after independence from their former colonial holders is a notorious situation with which all countries in the Caribbean contend.

"Life and Debt" does two things at once. It shows the naiveté and complete ignorance of its tourists who flock to Jamaica for their own enjoyment. To be served, catered to, complimented and their conscience eased all in the name of their foreign currency. The tourists who bathe in the Jamaican sun, swim in the bountiful sea has no clue to the amount of waste they create, the food they use and where it comes from, or the suffering that exists outside of their compound. They are just told "no problem mon" because they are the tourists. Meanwhile, the fire burns and the uprisings continue because of the economic situations that exist between the haves and the have-nots. The film gives in depth interviews with former Prime Minister, Michael Manley, who in 1977, under extreme financial duress and social unrest, decided to receive money from the IMF to bail out the island from its crisis. The money was given with many caveats, and Jamaica was falling further behind financially resulting in social and health programs cutbacks. The financial turmoil left the island at the disposal of outside interests in the name of "free trade" and globalization, and we see the direct effect today with the physical presence of many European and American companies.

Throughout the film, the biting narration of writer Jamaica Kincaid, gives a literary landscape to match the faces, hearts and thoughts of the many who have no voice through her novel "A Small Place." Her voice keeps you entranced for the next injustice you're about to witness.

There is a great simplicity to "Life and Debt," with its strong reggae anthems. Buju Banton, Sizzla, Harry Belafonte, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Yami Bolo unleash a driving soundtrack to the colorful and vibrant film. I must say that in the end, I left the theatre in tears, but mostly enlightened. I think the film was designed to create awareness to all viewers that we have a part to play in these developing countries if we truly have a love for them. Check for the film in your area if possible, and visit the website http://www.lifeanddebt.org.

"Life and Debt" premieres in San Francisco on January 18^th at the Lumiere Theater on California at Polk. In celebration, Power House Entertainment & Family Style Productions presents the Life and Debt Film Premier Concert featuring Yami Bolo, Mutabaruka and Lutan Fiyah, sounds from Black Love DJ, Bravo, (originally from Irie-FM). at StudioZ.tv - 314 11th St. at Folsom (formerly the Transmission Theatre - across from Slim's) on January 18th. The concert will be a Benefit for Global Exchange. Jamaican food and crafts vendors will be selling their goods and delicious food. Pre-sale tickets ($18) available at www.studioz.tv or the night of the show at the door ($20). Doors open at 8:30 pm, show time 9:00 pm-2:00 am  (21 and over). For more info contact the StudioZ.tv box office - 415-252-7666.

Related Articles: http://www.jahworks.org/music/movies/life_debt.html

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For the past 10 years, Adjua Dubb has been an advocate, promoter and writer for Reggae music.  She is an archivist and collector of the music, information and all things related. Currently, she has her own production company, Dubbtonical Productions out of Washington D.C.