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The Jamaican Society: Case Study
Marcia Hylton
Awareness of Afro-Carribbean Culture
Dual Heritage
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The Jamaican Society: Case Study
Location: Leeds
‘The history of a people, the history of an organisation is the signpost for that people’s destiny, that organisation’s destiny.’
The Right Excellent Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first National Hero.
The Jamaica Society in Leeds arose to fulfil the needs of the African-Caribbean population in West Yorkshire and Leeds in particular. Their HQ at 277 Chapeltown Road was, as Melody Walker writes, ‘resurrected from the ruins of urban decay’ by Jamaicans in the area to become ‘a little piece of Jamaica on British soil’.
The Jamaica Society LHI project was organised to record a living history of first, second and third generation Afro-Caribbeans in Yorkshire. Using workshops, story telling and research, Our Journey, Our History! is capturing the memories of the first Jamaicans to come to the UK, exploring the history, tradition and vibrant cultural influences which they brought with them. Contributors have access to IT and desktop publishing training to enable them to record their stories.
Younger generations, born in the UK with a ‘westernised’ culture, are encouraged to explore their heritage, both Caribbean and European, and become aware of the influence which their families have had on their local environment, including their struggle to build a community, often in the face of open hostility and misunderstanding. Whilst discovering and recording the past, the project also works with local schools to encourage young Jamaican Yorshirefolk to interpret the present and to plan positively for their future.
From the soil of my soul
And the concrete of my feet,
I create this ghetto within –
Until I can pack up my insecurities
And move to the suburbs.
From an untitled poem by Laurah Pitter (18) 20 March 02
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