The whole world was waiting for news about the happenings in someone’s womb for about a week, so it must now be relieved. The royal baby is here, a boy, and the reactions are more interesting than the actual event. The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa were lit up blue and countless world leaders congratulated the young couple, William and Kate, if you didn’t know.
Here in Jamaica, there is lots going on, as usual, so the royal baby’s birth hasn’t seemed to make many waves. Also, there’s the whole colonialism thing that might make some Jamaicans feel ambivalent about this birth. Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has said it is time for Jamaica to go its own way.
“We have got to a stage and a level of our country’s development and independence, having celebrated 50 years of Independence, it is with Jamaicans to take the decision, and the changing times call for changes,” the prime minister said, arguing that she remained The Queen’s biggest fan.
However, a group of Jamaicans gathered last week (check out the link above) for a luncheon to countdown to the birth, complete with sculpted watermelons and blue and pink cakes. This crowd is what Jamaicans would call “uptown,” that is to say, the wealthy demographic. Reaction to this luncheon on Facebook was interesting, with the mainly young commentators expressing outrage.
The Gleaner ran a wire story about the birth, while the Observer doesn’t even seem to have the story on their site.
In addition to reaction on Facebook, Twitter’s response was fascinating as well, ranging from ecstasy to indifference to confusion to an admonition to people for caring. However you feel about this issue, there is no denying it is big news, and polarizing news at that, depending on which country you happened to be born in.
Jamaican Journal 