Documentary Review 05-Jamaica Arise: The 75 Year History of the PNP (1938-2013)

1. What was the role that the People's National Party (PNP) played in the anti-colonial struggle?
After the effort of Marcus Garvey with the creation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, the People's National Party (PPP) foundation in 1929 was a political and cultural opportunity seized by jamaican people in the search for extend their rights. 

The year 1938 was the political landmark in Jamaica's history. Three weeks of a labourers strike were enough to spark a rebellion. Because of these issues, Norman W. Manley, with another PNP leaders, created the constitution of the party, which until today, remains a model of a democratic, anti-colonial party's constitutional form and had a big influence later on the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa.


2. What was/is the role of women throughout the 75 years of the PNP? (Give at least 3 examples)
During the 75 years of the PNP, the decade of 1970 was a truly important period for the Women's Movement. Michael Manley, former prime minister of the country twice, was the one who gave full encouragement to this branch of the party. During the decade, two important bills were approved, the Equal Pay for Men and Women Act (1975) and the Maternity Leave Act (1979).

Between the most important founding members of the movement, were Valerie McNeill (Wykeham McNeill's mother), Beverley Manley Duncan (Michael Manley's wife). As an activist first lady, she was credited with helping to forge the post-Independence social and cultural identity of the nation. She became a sought-after international speaker and author of a best-selling biography.

Finally, the pinnacle of the Women's Movement was led by Portia Simpson Miller, who reached the party's presidency and was Primer Minister of Jamaica in two terms (2006-2007 and 2012-2016).


3. How did the implementation of democratic socialism affect the Jamaican people?
The democratic socialism was the period in jamaican history when the leadership of Michael Manley led the country to reforms in education and housing (the National Housing Trust, for example). Many believe that Jamaica was in the path of Cuba, its communist neighbor, because of the friendly relationship between Manley and Fidel Castro, but Manley himself explained that Jamaica wasn't a communist country. The Cold War scenario affected how the world saw Jamaica in politics and economy, because every movement towards socialism, was associated with communism.


4. How does the PNP justify privatization and its role in creating a path of neoliberal reforms in Jamaica?
The administration of Percival James Patterson (P.J. Patterson) had to manage the rapid opening of the country into globalization alongside a high interest plan.
Both served as measures to deal with inflation, collecting funds to cover the deficient budget and stabilize the jamaican dollar currency. There was a long economic recession, that led to a major banking crisis. The support of the people to the PNP administration was unanimous, something that gave four terms in a row for the party.


5. How do you compare the role of PNP in the film, Ghett'a Life (Lenny Thompson, Derrick's Father) versus the documentary?
The role of PNP in the film is very shameful, because they're more concerned how to please the don, who owns a territory, and besides, fight a guerrilla war against the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) without regarding if the people might get hurt.
The documentary covers a major portion of Jamaica's history since the suffrage achievement, acknowledging a valuable labor to the party, but giving it an almost legendary role until today.