Out of Many One People

On celebrating the body you were born in

Recently a family member sent a video to me. There was no cheery missive or ‘Good Morning’. Just a short clip that had been forwarded many times. The content served as a greeting in itself however, ending with: ‘Out of Many One People’. This is the moto Jamaican citizens adopted to mark their independence in 1962. My family member was sending a celebratory reminder.

The short video burst forth with energy, featuring high profiled names (including Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin). It showcased the vibrant dynamism of a people that defy the actual size of this ‘likkle but Talawah’ Caribbean island.¹ Jamaica is a deeply spiritual country; pre-dominantly Christian, with well documented Rastafarian roots embedded as a natural part of the cultural landscape (thanks mainly but not exclusively to Bob Marley).

The artist Luciano says of his heritage: “It’s like Jah hand pick us and carry us to this place to nurture us and now that we have come to fruition we are ready to help the nation, the entire human population.” What a wonderful way to reflect on where you come from and how you see your purpose. To be of service to nations.

The moto ‘Out of Many…’ reminded me of the vision that ‘John of Patmos’ experienced as revealed in the seventh chapter of the book of Revelation when he sees the heavenly realm where.…'every nation, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues…stand before the throne and before the Lamb’ all clothed in white, gathered in divine unity as one.

Out of Many One…September marks a reset and a New Year for some - a reset for the body, acknowledging the Jewish and Ethiopian New Year for those that observe the times and seasons. You’ll know by now that I am (first generation UK born Black British) of Jamaican heritage. As important as it is to divest and let go of false attachments around identities and social constructs particularly those that bind, limit and oppress- I also acknowledge that our authentic expression has to come through a body, time, place and context in order for us to make meaning. So if my mixing metaphor and imagery bothers you - it’s not the intention. It is a creative mind, dancing in the gaps, drawing conclusions and finding freedom in what is revealed and what remains concealed in this mystery called life.

That said, I thought I would draw inspiration from this reflection and contribute a poem based on the title that inspired it. Out of Many One People:

Out of Many One people

Does that sound Heavenly?

One Love

from a people

of freedom

Every Nation

Citizens of a righteous Kingdom

Diverse in our make up

Yet dwelling in unity

One Heart

connecting every tribe

and every tongue

Singing

sweet melodies

this is my message to you!

And oh how the body moves

to the tunes.

It moves

as we laugh and dance and play

And oh how we smile.

with the rising sun

as it radiates

with heat and light

The son

shines

down

on everyone

in all His power

Out of Many One People

Doesn’t that sound Heavenly?

And in your eyes

I see the light

feel the heat

that penetrates

right to my core

down to my feet.

Your healing power

covers those

that inhabit this dual reality

earth dwellers

seated

in heavenly places

Grounded

Yet

Rising Up

with the energy

and frequency

of Joy!

Like a bride prepared

to see the sun

(coming forth like a bridegroom

from his pavilion)

as it moves across the realms

I watch it

emerging from its tent

surveying all

and

giving life

Life

to dry bones

melting hardened hearts

and

energizing melanated bodies

buoyant

with a godly defiance

that shakes off the dust

of historical brutality

Transforming it

like alchemy

into skin that radiates

defying time

and age.

We arise and shine

throughout

from deep within

for in him

we live and breath and have our being

Diversity is only divisive

If conflict and abuse of power

turn out to be the main narrative.

Like the circle dance that is the Trinity

Our roots are to be celebrated.

Out of Many One People

Does that sound Heavenly?

Too hopeful?

Too naïve?

Too innocent, a pipe dream?

And when did this expectation

that we must enter a building

and suddenly lose our authenticity begin?

That we must present ourselves

As a living sacrifice

Bound up

In brown paper packages

with no personality

No life?

Why not move truly

authentic and free?

Who placed so many rules and restrictions

On the body

to prevent its liberty?

We who are fearfully and wonderfully made

pre-determined

pre- ordained before the foundation of the world.

Each of us significant

Individual poems

crafted

by the mighty hand of a loving creator

not a colonial imperialist, bully or dictator

But one with a beating heart and the breath of life.

We were created to recognise our divinity

to live as

One

Playing our notes

in harmony

as part of the Creator's symphony.

Give thanks then for this diverse body,

the hands, the mouth, the lips,

the feet

this skin

Our beautiful shades of difference

that we live in

Give thanks

For

Out of many

we are

One

People

or rather

People

Out of One

We are many.

© 2023 Natasha Godfrey

[1] http://wiwords.com/word/talawah – meaning, strong courageous, spirited.

https://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Tallawah/1091 Very strong-willed, fearless and not to be underestimated or taken lightly