Carolyn Cooper | Rihanna, Bob Marley and Miss Lou

Believe it or not, the Queen of England appoints our national heroes. Not directly, of course! It’s her manservant, the governor general, who acts on her behalf. And it seems as if her favoured servant must always be a man. Why can’t a maidservant represent the Queen as governor general of Jamaica? Especially since the real-real monarch is a woman! Is this just another example of supposedly powerful men deluding themselves into thinking that dem must run tings a yard? Even antiquated institutions like the substitute monarchy!

Since Independence, Jamaica has had five governors general. All of them were/are Most Hon Sirs: Clifford Campbell, Florizel Glasspole, Howard Cooke, Kenneth Hall, and Patrick Allen. On Friday, October 19, 1962, The Gleaner published a report with this grand compound headline:

“Announced from Buckingham Palace

Senator Campbell to be governor-general

First Jamaican to be made head of state

WILL TAKE OFFICE DECEMBER 1”

The article stated, “Reports that Senator Campbell would succeed Sir Kenneth were intensified when the Prime Minister, the Hon Sir Alexander Bustamante, told Dr M.I. Okpara, visiting Premier of Eastern Nigeria, that ‘a coloured man’ would be the next Governor-General.” Sir Clifford’s colour appeared to be a badge that the Jamaican Government could flourish when it seemed convenient.

Clifford Campbell was a distinguished statesman. He enjoyed a successful career as an outstanding headmaster before entering representational politics. And he was passionate about agriculture, inspired by his maternal grandfather, John Ruddock. Yet, for Bustamante, it seems as if Clifford Campbell’s most important attribute was his colour. At least when he was describing him to another ‘coloured’ man! Perhaps the choice of a black-black man as our first Jamaican governor general was intended as a face card. It could fool the black majority into believing that we really are ‘one people,’ as the national motto optimistically asserts.

‘DE VERY SAME COMPLEXION’

The Hon Louise Bennett-Coverley, aka Miss Lou, wrote a wicked poem about the emotional reaction of a distressed woman to the publication of Sir Clifford’s photo in de paper, presumably The Gleaner:

De fus day him picture print, de

Paper drop outa me han;

Me heart go boop, me bawl out

‘Something bad happen to John!’

‘Meck dem draw him pikcha big so?

Him too ole fe pass exam!

Him noh buy noh sweepstakes ticket?

Something bad happen to John!’

Jamesy run come read de writin,

An it wasn John at all;

It was we new an well appointed

Governor-General.

Jus like one a we own fambly

De very same complexion,

An de head part an de face part

De dead stamp a Bada John.

Miss Lou mischievously created a most humorous case of mistaken identity. But she also made a serious political statement. Despite the family resemblance, the ‘coloured’ governor general does not owe his primary allegiance to his apparent relatives. He is a servant of the Queen of England. It seems as if something bad did happen to him fi true.

When Clifford Campbell was informed of his appointment by Buckingham Palace, this is what he said: “I shall maintain that humility in which state I came into the world, in which state I have lived among the human element and in which state I hope to die – with a spirit of humility and respect for my fellowmen.” Humility, by its very nature, should not be brandished.

SECRET SOCIETY

The decision of the Government of Barbados to dethrone the Queen of England and her governor general as head of state has provoked passionate public debate, both locally and internationally, about Jamaica’s failure to claim full sovereignty. Politicians on both sides of the aisle keep on asserting that it’s time for us to become a republic. They have done nothing about it except talk.

Furthermore, the revolutionary appointment of Robyn Rihanna Fenty as a National Hero of Barbados underscores just how backward Jamaica’s political elite is. The elevation of Rihanna follows her appointment in 2018 as “Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.” That big word is one of those many Latin imports passing for English. ‘Pleni’ comes from ‘plenus,’ meaning ‘full,’ and ‘potentiary’ comes from ‘potentia’ meaning ‘power’. Rihanna has been fully empowered to represent her country on the world stage.

By contrast, the Government of Jamaica nuh ready. We enjoy a global reputation for militancy, inspired largely by our popular culture, especially music. But when it comes right down to it, our politicians of both parties don’t have the courage to acknowledge the power of the culture created by the masses of the Jamaican people. They are not listening to those of us who think it’s time to appoint national heroes who embody the best of Jamaican popular culture. They have no vision of the kind of modern hero that is needed to inspire young people.

Bob Marley and Louise Bennett are ideal candidates for national hero. And even they are distant from today’s youth. Many senior citizens do not realise that reggae is no longer current music for most young people. It’s like what mento is for old people. An earlier generation’s music! Of course, we have to teach the youth to appreciate the culture of the past. But they need their own heroes.

Scandalously, most Jamaicans have no say in the selection of national heroes. It seems as if it’s a secret society that decides. There’s supposed to be an Advisory Committee that makes recommendations to the prime minister, who submits these to the governor general for approval. But the membership of the current committee is a big mystery. The protocol for appointing national heroes must be reviewed. And it shouldn’t have to wait until Jamaica becomes a republic and the governor general is made redundant. Whenever that is.

Carolyn Cooper, PhD, is a teacher of English language and literature and a specialist on culture and development. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and karokupa@gmail.com.