Editorial | After Marcus Garvey Day, who is next?

It was 12 years ago that the Jamaican Cabinet, under the leadership of Portia Simpson Miller, decided that August 17 be commemorated as Marcus Garvey Day, to recognise the birth of one of the most influential Jamaicans who ever walked this Earth.

Jamaica’s first National Hero, the Rt Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, embodies what a lifetime of commitment to social justice and black pride looks like. His was an outstanding voice in fighting against racism and discrimination, one which reverberated far beyond our shores and provided inspiration for civil rights leaders everywhere.

The annual August 17 commemoration has grown and, this year, there were several ways in which Garvey’s legacy was honoured. For example, some of the nation’s civil servants have been named Garvey scholars and they will improve their education in order to enhance their contribution to the public service.

Too bad that the works of Garvey and men of his ilk were obfuscated over the years, with the effect that many children did not learn much about him in schools. Today, a museum which will chronicle his life is being completed and will hopefully keep the conversation about rights and nationalism alive.

OTHER NAME DAYS

The enthusiasm about declaring other name days is rising and, in recent months, we have heard the clamour for prominent Jamaicans such as National Hero Paul Bogle and former Prime Minister Simpson Miller to have special commemorative days declared in their honour. It is our belief that these calls will intensify in the future.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has tabled a motion in the House of Representatives for October 24 to be a day of commemoration for the Right Excellent Paul Bogle and those who lost their lives in the Morant Bay uprising of 1865. This idea has met with some opposition by those who say there is already Heroes’ Day celebrated in October annually. Then there is the vexed question of whether the photograph which is used to depict Paul Bogle is in fact his image or someone else’s.

These arguments will eventually have the effect of forcing deeper reflection on the recommendation chain for all national awards and honours. How is the personal contribution of each person to be measured? There is a guide, of course, in the National Honours and Awards Act of 1969, which gives formal recognition of service to the country and its citizens.

Perhaps the awards committee should specifically examine whether there is justification in naming such days to deserving individuals and make its recommendation to Parliament. For example, should all national heroes be granted a name day? Surely, it ought not to be left to party activists to lobby for this action. And, with so many burning issues to contend with, it would be more efficient if the motion presented by Mr Golding were to be expanded to make the case for all national heroes.

Above everything else, Garvey and all the national heroes exhibited tremendous courage during their lifetime. Lessons learnt from them will guide future struggles with the example that bullets may not be necessary to effect meaningful change. Let’s not spend too many man-hours on this issue, for there are urgent matters and looming crises which require consensus and action as we move towards achieving the many ambitious goals that have been set for the country.