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The diaspora takes us down memory lane
THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022
Harvard University says Claudine Gay will become its 30th president, making her the first Black person and the second woman to lead the Ivy League school. Gay, who is currently a dean at the university and a democracy scholar, will become president July 1. She replaces Lawrence Bacow, who is stepping down saying he wants to spend more time with family. "This is crazy, right?" a beaming Gay said as she was introduced to applause at the Smith campus center. She currently serves as the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. "I am absolutely humbled by the confidence that the governing board has placed in me," she said. "I am also incredibly humbled by the prospect of succeeding President Bacow and leading this incredible institution." A child of Haitian immigrants, Gay is regarded as a leading voice on the issue of American political participation. Among the issues she has explored is how a range
December 25 is celebrated by Christians across the globe; however, Jamaicans have developed their ways of delivering the joys of Christmas in a way only Jamaicans can. The season of Christmas also holds a special place in the hearts of Jamaicans in the diaspora. As Christmas rolls around, it was great to hear individuals speak specifically about what they miss about Christmas while growing up in Jamaica. It's incredible how the Christmas experiences of the various participants differ. The Christmas season is, at times, a personal experience, other times an expression of love with family and friends, but, importantly, a collaborative community occasion. Donovan G. Jones, who hails from Oracabessa, St Mary, and now lives in London, misses the friendly spirit of authentic Christmas wishes and chats about their favorite foods. He enjoyed the road cleaning teams laughing, joking, and the camaraderie among community young people. He recalls the quiet of the town after it closed down on December 24 at 4:00 p.m. in preparation for Grand Market and Coney Island. Mr. Jones also remembers all the boys spending hours looking at the only Christmas trees in town and the beating of the MOSCORATE (junkanoo) drums in crescendo as the dancers got closer to the small gathering of people waiting for a little more Christmas excitement. On Christmas day, the 25th, his mouth drips at the smell of curry goat, roast chicken, or roast beef, not at his house but from neighbors. Donovan says Jamaica was just magical at Christmas. Verona Hall has lived in Los Angeles, California, for 20 years but was born and grew up in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Verona misses the pleasant change in the physical environment as the 'Christmas Breeze ' starts to blow, and the red poinsettia and poinciana rise in red-coated beauty. She also recalls the Christcentered plays, the concerts, and the pantomime, the smell of the Christmas cakes baking, and she especially missed the many Christmas parties. Dr. Sylvanus Thompson grew up in Victoria District, just a few steps from Thompson Town, in North Western Clarendon. However, he spent most of his adult life living and working in Montego Bay. As a child, he looked forward to preparing for Christmas, trimming edges, and white-washing the stones and fences around the home. Grand Market shopping was unique to him, but he was more excited about waking up early on Christmas Day to open gifts from Santa. He recalls going to the church pageants, which were treasured highlights during the
continues on A7 Claudine Gay
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