Each year for the past 48 years when the anniversary of Jamaica’s independence from Britain is commemorated, Jamaicans in the Diaspora, especially those fortunate to have witnessed the historic events of August 6, 1962, become nostalgic about the land of their birth.

Interestingly, and ironically, particularly during the independence commemorations, Jamaicans who migrated overseas experience some sadness that they are living elsewhere. This sadness, or nostalgia, is usually reflected on their faces as they sing the words “Eternal, father bless our land,” from the Jamaican national anthem in a church service or other function held to celebrate Jamaica’s independence.

Regardless what may be said of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, there is one commonality – the overwhelming majority loves their homeland. To them, Jamaica is like a lover they can never forget or let go. The love for their homeland simply lingers, forever pulling them back in some way to the country or its lifestyle. Moreover, whether Jamaicans in the Diaspora want to admit it or not, they feel guilt for leaving the country, and like the lingering love for a spurned lover, that guilt makes them want to give something back to Jamaica, or be involved in its development.

Jamaicans feel the pain and anguish of any adversity that affects the island, whether it be a natural disaster like a hurricane, or a social crisis like the one that emerged over the Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke extradition matter. Most in the Diaspora were anxious for a quick resolution, cringing at the negative publicity circulating overseas. Although most Jamaicans living overseas still harbor political party affiliations and particular preference for respective political leaders, and are wont to offer harsh criticism when things go wrong, they resent any non-Jamaican maligning Bruce or Portia.

Of course, some Jamaicans overseas still want to participate in the political process back home. The debate has lingered since 1962 over Jamaican expatriates having the right to cast absentee ballots in general elections, despite the difficult logistics involved in such a move. They just don’t want to let go of a former basic civic right although living off the island.

Whenever Jamaicans make an outstanding achievement, those overseas, irrespective of how long ago they left Jamaica, revel with pride in that achievement. Jamaicans overseas are still bubbling with pride at the achievements of the phenomenal athlete, Usain Bolt, and the nation’s track and field team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

Jamaicans overseas, over three million of them, have done a great job in spreading Jamaica’s influence way beyond its borders. As the Jamaican Diaspora grows, so has the spread of the Jamaican culture, reflected in the almost phenomenal popularity of reggae and dancehall music; the influence of Jamaican food on the taste buds of non-Jamaicans; their peculiar manner of speech (the Jamaican accent); the remarkable attitude to succeed, something those who do not understand mistake for arrogance; the way they celebrate victories; their strong allegiance to religion and belief in prayer; the way they party with intensity; even the way they vent their frustrations mingled at times with expletives reflecting peculiar brands of cloths; all these are characteristics that creates a special Jamaican identification wherever there’s a Jamaican community.

However, despite the overt identification of Jamaican communities overseas, there is the consistent irony of Jamaicans yearning for home. But, this yearning perpetuates another irony since, although no physical barrier prevents Jamaicans in the Diaspora from returning home to live, only a relative few have done so. There are several reasons for this irony, with perhaps the most prevailing being that irrespective of the continued love for home, those in the Diaspora have planted their roots too deeply in their adopted countries to be able to leave.

So, even with the pride in Jamaica, concern for its development, the pain felt when things go wrong there, and even the desire to participate in its political process, the Jamaican Diaspora will continue to grow.

However, there remains a big puzzle. Why with this common love and pride in Jamaica isn’t there a more organized and cohesive Diaspora that focuses on the effective development of a Jamaican community willing to work together as a viable unit, devoid of teeming internal divisions; a unified community that strives to assist in the development of the homeland? Several leaders in the Diaspora have tried to realize this organized community, but still it remains too fractured.

As Jamaicans overseas celebrate this 48th year of independence, the anniversary wish is that the hands that join in singing the beautiful national anthem remain joined in collaborated efforts long after the anthem stops playing. Also, in accordance with Jamaica’s National Pledge may those overseas pledge their love, loyalty and skills, in the service of Jamaica and their fellow citizens wherever they reside.