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In becoming a citizen of Jamaica persons will be able to bask in the pride of national achievement and identify with other great Jamaicans such as Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Tessane Chin and Louise Bennett among others.

Believe it or not that was taken exactly as is from the Jamaican Passport, Immigration and Citizenship website. Should you be in disbelief, here is the proof (http://www.pica.gov.jm/?page_id=1554). That’s the main reasons the Government of Jamaica listed as why one would want to obtain a Jamaican citizenship.

Was Tessane Chin winning the voice really a “National Achievement”? Someone is taking Jamaicans for a ride and giving them a six for a nine, if you will.

The voice is an amateur competition, where amateur competitors compete for a professional recording contract with a major record label. Tessane Chin was already a recording reggae artist before winning the voice. She was featured on “Reggae Gold”, the biggest dancehall reggae compilation, released by the biggest dancehall reggae label, VP Records; and she was distributed worldwide.

So basically a seasoned veteran in dancehall reggae went up against some amateurs from the United States. It is not like she entered The Voice and competed against Katy Perry, Beyonce, Rihanna and Taylor Swift. What does Tessanne Chin winning an amateur competition have to to with “National Achievement”?

For the Government to put Tessanne Chin on their website under the phrase national achievement is ridiculous. Any country that would list one of their citizens winning an amateur competition as a national achievement does not have many achievements. That’s not true about Jamaica, however, she does have many achievements.

Either Jamaica does not value her real achievers or Jamaica is ashamed and afraid of how potential tourists might view her real achievers. Maybe a Tessanne Chin will bring more tourists to Jamaica than a Nanny of the Maroons. Maybe the Jamaican Passport Immigration and Citizenship is actually run by the Jamaican Tourist Board or they are in cahoots. Who knows!

I am not sure the reasons on the website will convince many people to become citizens of Jamaica. They could just become citizens of the United States where they could bask in the glory of Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard and other American Idol winners. After all, aren’t American Idol and The Voice the same thing? A singing competition where amateurs compete to score a major recording contract and some cash?