Peter Espeut | Of national heroes and Christmas

In true “falla-fashion” style, some are asking – if Barbados can name Rihanna as their 11th national hero, why can’t Jamaica add Bob Marley, or Jimmy Cliff, or Usain Bolt to our much shorter list of national heroes?

Is heroism the same thing as fame? Can you call a person a national hero because he or she is a resounding success in what they are good at, or because they have amassed great personal wealth? Can we name someone to be a national hero who has lived a life of sexual profligacy, who has had 12 children for nine different women – at the same time being married to only one? Must a national hero be someone young people can look up to as a model of good family life?

What do you think?

Some years ago in this column I (tongue in cheek) proposed Brer Anancy for Jamaican national hero! I felt (and still feel) that he is the real-life hero of many people in this country – especially in government. If people admire Anancy for his one-upmanship and for his ginnalship – and for how he always manages to benefit at others’ expense – and if they spend their lives trying to be like him – then in their heart of hearts Brer Anancy is their role model. And if enough thousands think so, then maybe Anancy is Jamaica’s deep-down “boney-fide” national hero!

What do you think?

NOT THE SAME THING

Both Barbados and Jamaica have a high honour called “National Hero”, but they are not defined as the same thing. According to the Barbados government website, “Barbadians are recognised as National Heroes for their roles in positively changing Barbados”. The Jamaican government says that “The Order of National Hero is given only to Jamaican citizens for ‘services of the most distinguished nature’.” The Jamaican honour requires superlative achievement, while the Barbados honour requires only a positive contribution.

Clearly, the honours have the same name, but they are not the same thing.

Jamaica has named few persons as national heroes, which means that it is a rare enough honour to be highly respected. Marcus Garvey is a real hero not just to Jamaicans but to Africans and persons of African descent. Deacon Sam Sharpe, Deacon Paul Bogle and Deacon George William Gordon gave their lives to liberate Jamaicans from slavery and the legacy of slavery. During International Women’s Year the Manley government struggled to find a female hero, and settled on the semi-mythical Nanny. Jamaica’s two main political parties agreed, even-handedly, to name their founders – Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley – as national heroes. At least four of Jamaica’s national heroes have set a high standard, intentionally tough to equal or exceed.

Below the Order of National Hero are other high but lesser national honours. “The Order of Merit is conferred upon Jamaicans or distinguished citizens of other countries who have achieved international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour.” Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff and Louise Bennett are among the recipients of this high honour.

And below that is the Order of Jamaica: “Membership in the Order can be conferred upon any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction”. [Any national honour that bears the name of “Jamaica” should be higher than one simply called “Order of Merit”, or “Order of Excellence”. In my view, having the “Order of Jamaica” as the fifth highest national honour shows disrespect to the name of the nation. But that is just my opinion].

Making a track star or a cricketer – or even a famous singer – as a national hero, in my view, devalues that high honour. Genuine “national” heroes made personal sacrifices for the good of their country or their countrymen, at some personal risk, and thereby changed the course of history. International fame as a singer or athlete is a personal triumph – and vicariously a national fillip – but in my view cannot be characterised as heroic. In Jamaica’s system of national honours, the “Order of Merit” is honour enough, to my mind, for champion athletes and global music icons.

QUALIFY AS HEROES

On the other hand, in this coronavirus pandemic, several doctors and nurses I know qualify as heroes, as they put their health and their very lives at risk daily so that others may get well or stay well. Many teachers I know who slave in the classroom – for meagre rewards – to uplift their young charges, qualify as genuine heroes. I know several clergymen and church workers who – at great personal sacrifice – pour out their lives daily to help others turn their lives around, and to inspire their flock. Some of them qualify as heroes. I would not nominate any of these as national heroes, as their impact is local rather than national.

Some years ago in this column I (seriously) proposed that Louise Bennett-Coverley be named a Jamaican national hero. I felt –and still feel – that her promotion of the Jamaican language as a positive part of Jamaican culture made many of us feel good about ourselves, whereas before we were made to feel as second-class persons who spoke “bad English”. Almost single-handedly, she improved our image of ourselves, and had national – nay – international impact.

Sometime after I wrote that column, Louise was awarded the Order of Merit. Well deserved, of course! But she deserves more.

And as we reflect on the great feast of Christmas tomorrow, we celebrate one who at great personal sacrifice atoned for my sins and transgressions – and yours – by shedding his own blood. Now, that is a cosmic hero!

A Happy and Holy Christmas to you all when it comes at midnight tonight!

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and a Roman Catholic Deacon. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com