Political symbolism can be powerful

Lance Neita, Contributor

Our political party symbols, well intentioned as they are, have often been the cause of controversy between the two major sides.

Every political party in the world boasts symbols that act as powerful rallying tools for membership and support.

Jamaica is no different, except that we have added our own peculiar and distinctive style and format to stimulate blind worship and devotion to the party cause.

Take for example, the history of the ballot symbols used in our electoral system.

When the December 1944 elections were to be held it allowed, for the first time, all Jamaicans over the age of 21 to vote. However, it was recognised that because of the high rate of illiteracy, the majority of voters would not be able to read the names of the candidates.

It was decided that individual candidates, and not parties, would be allocated a symbol that would allow the candidate to be easily identified.

The Gleaner of March 2, 1962 reminds us that in those early days, the candidate whose surname started with the earliest letter of the alphabet was assigned the first symbol, the next candidate in alphabetical line the second symbol, and so on, all in the alphabetical order of the candidates' names.

Names changed

Some candidates promptly changed their names by deed poll in order to be assigned the popular Star, which was the first symbol on the list. Indeed, as the process wore on, there was active jockeying to secure a symbol not only for its alphabetical advantage, but in cases where the symbol was thought to be a 'lucky one' with some sort of spiritual power attached.

The parties later ended this squabbling by agreeing that all candidates representing one party should share the same symbol - the head for the People's National Party (PNP), and the hand for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and leaving the chief electoral officer (CEO) to assign symbols to independent candidates.

On March 26, 1956, CEO Mr O.M. Royes formally completed the allocation of these symbols to the parties and independents.

During the Referendum in 1961, the powers that be, mindful that the federation campaign was not a political campaign, agreed that traditional party symbols should not be used.

The PNP decided to use the federal flag as its emblem while the JLP chose the map of Jamaica. However, it was pointed out that use of symbols not listed under the law was illegal and so the PNP ended up using the tree and the JLP the bell.

The JLP was assigned the hand for the 1962 campaign but I recall a famous photograph of Bustamante on the night of the election laughing and ringing his bell with gusto while downing cases of victory champagne with his supporters.

Over the years, the parties have adopted various emblems and practices said to be representative of the character of their organisations. The PNP's clenched fist came out of its earlier socialist leanings in alliance with other socialist forces overseas that used it as a sign of strength and determination. On the other hand, the JLP's V-sign copied England's Winston Churchill's who used it to rally his nation towards victory in the Second World War.

The parties also have their anthems. The PNP's Jamaica Arise reflects Jamaica's early stirrings towards nationhood. The JLP's Stand Up Jamaica is more modern and has a captivating appeal in its rendition. The bet is on that many of the party leaders are not familiar with the well-written words of their respective anthems.

Both parties have their official flags, although the preference seems to be the multitude of banners and the famous T-shirts that dominate street scenes at meeting time.

The adoption of party colours is an excellent innovation but unfortunately taken to the extreme where in Jamaica the colour of your shirt, dress, uniform and even your car can bring down coals of red-hot fire on your hand or your head.

We have to get away from this insidious practice of using green or orange to brand persons as political opponents, even if they are innocent of any such charge.

Comments may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com or lanceneita@hotmail.com