Country Life

Hello, my name is Shyanne Scott and my photovoice project is named Country Life. I decided to ask my cousin to contribute to the project. My participant, Renee, consented to share her ideas. I asked her to capture 3 pictures that represented her country, Jamaica. Renee’s main theme was  the benefits of her island which she did by highlighting a couple of its great aspects.

” I took this picture at the Bob Marley Museum which was originally his house. The artworks show one of the most important figures to ever grace Jamaica’s land; the man, the legend, Bob Marley along with family members. The footprint he left in the sands of Jamaica will remain for an eternity. He’s known for his great songs that advocated for the impoverished people in Jamaica and for Black people worldwide. His mural is important to me because it constantly reminds me that he spoke for those who couldn’t themselves; the importance of that degree just doesn’t disappear.”

The mural demonstrates an artist, Bob Marley, that was a spokesperson for poor Jamaican people and also racism against Black people. Renee discusses the purpose of his melodies; which was to bring attention to issues that happened in his environment as well as worldwide, similar to the goal of Photovoice. Like the Chicana art, Jamaicans are using artwork to inform others of a story. Another similarity is the placement of murals. The Chicana art was placed in the community of the Chicanas like Bob Marley’s mural painted on the walls surrounding his past home.

“My family is from the country on both sides; full of fruits, mountains, animals, etc. My mother used to wake up at 5 AM to catch pans of water to use for activities, throughout the day. Whereas my father used to pick ripe fruits and vegetables to wash and prepare for dinner time. In Jamaica, it’s very common for many fruits and vegetables to be grown in the comfort of one’s backyard. This picture represents the first time I participated in picking vegetables from the tree. This is not a common chore for me in America; I appreciated it though because I was able to connect with my parents. The land and what it produces are appreciated and necessary to my culture.”

Renee explains that Jamaica is rich in homegrown fruits and vegetables. Because of this many people are allowed to grow their dinner from their land. She was able to pick fruits with her parents and create a new memory. The environment is simultaneously beneficial because it provided fruits while allowing her to learn a new task. Although she doesn’t live in Jamaica and doesn’t pick trees in America; she now is able to pass a family activity down to other generations.

“Because many of the foods are grown at home, the dishes are usually healthy and nutritionally well-rounded.   I enjoy this about my country because the dishes don’t taste like typical American healthy dishes; they still have lots of flavors. The yellow food, ackee, in the picture is the product of my previous picture; the fruit I picked from the tree. The other foods are saltfish with breadfruit. Ackee is very nourishing and is a part of Jamaica’s national dish; which can be eaten with many different sides. Dinners like these really bring me back to my roots and make me appreciate the island.”

At first glance, the dish looks full and different from a typical American dinner. Renee informs us that this is ackee, the fruit she picked in the previous picture. Ackee and saltfish is her nation’s national dish which is also very nutritious; along with her ackee is breadfruit. She decided to speak on ackee again because each picture tells a different story. Similarly to Rachel Vernon’s participant, food creates connections. Renee attaches the dish to the benefits of her land and her culture, which she appreciates. Her vibrant feelings will always be associated with this dish.