SOUTH FLORIDA – Jamaican Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange called on people with Jamaican roots to get passports to strengthen ties to their family’s homeland.
Grange was in South Florida for Reggae Month events. On February 21, she attended the ICON Awards and the Pre-Ash Gospel Spectacular at the Miramar Cultural Center.
Honorable Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange (file photo)
“If you have Jamaican roots, you are Jamaican. I would advise second generation, third generation… get your Jamaican passport, no matter what your other nationality is,” she said. “You can’t get culture from you as a Jamaican because you might be born in the US or Canada, but your parents cook Jamaican food… love di aki and salted fish, they love stewed peas and rice, they love di curry goat. Yes, I love Jamaican food, Jamaican music and even Jamaican crap.”
In February 2022, approximately 290 Jamaican Americans were granted Jamaican citizenship in a virtual ceremony called “Back to my roots‘. The group included singer Gramps Morgan of the Grammy-winning Morgan Heritage band.
Back To My Roots is an initiative of the Consul General in Miami.
The application process can take up to three months.
Gospel Spectacular
Grange attended the “Gospel Spectacular” which featured new wave acts such as Jabez, Prodigal Son and Omari as well as more traditional gospel artists such as Glacia Robinson and Carlin Davis.
She is pleased with the response to the South Florida Reggae Month events, which are back this year after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
“Reggae is global, it’s made in Jamaica, straight from the heart, but it’s for people all over the world. So, Reggae Month is growing outside of Jamaica, because wherever you go in the world you will find a Jamaican, and everywhere Jamaican dey is Jamaica, as (folklorist) Miss Lou would say,” Grange said. “We came to Florida a couple of years ago and have expanded in Florida so it’s great to see that.”
