Out of many, one people

I enjoyed researching and describing some of the events that took us on the road to Independence leading up to 1962.

The articles generated interest, and some heat, from persons here and overseas, all with varied comments and opinions on the unfolding dramas that kept us spellbound as we moved from crown-colony government in the 19th century to the first exercise in universal adult suffrage in 1944, self-government in 1957, flirtation with the federation up to 1961, and then on to full dominion status in 1962.

Some readers were annoyed with the turn of events in several instances. The fact that our leaders headed off to England in 1962, to seek ratification of our Constitution and approval of our date with destiny, August 6, did not go down well.

But that, my friends, was the protocol of the day as demanded by our colonial status when we were still regarded as a territory of Great Britain. The attainment of Independence in 1962 means more to those who experienced and lived through that period of dependency than to the younger generations who inherited our present system of self-government.

Powerful messages

The younger generations need to know that, prior to 1962, we were taught to sing the British anthem with gusto, and we saluted the British flag, the famous red, white and blue, as our flag. On Empire Day, celebrated May 23, and on the Queen's birthday, we implored Brittania to "rule the waves", for "Britons never never shall be slaves". Our anthem - Jamaica, Land We Love - and our flag, the black green and gold, officially unveiled on August 6, 1962, were powerful symbols that transmitted the message that we were no longer servants of Britain, but citizens of Jamaica.

The vast majority of comments came from persons who remembered the events with nostalgia and who experienced the spontaneous pride and joy which swept across the country after the unfurling of the flag and as we went out into the streets to celebrate.

I heard from friends like Vincent Harris, who was a policeman posted in the Royal Box at the National Stadium as one of the four sentries for Princess Margaret. "I am still in awe at the flag change. I remember the occasion as if it were yesterday".

Sonia Wright, one of the many beauty queens elected to reign over her village celebrations, reminds that she was Miss Warsop and not Miss Wait-a-Bit, as reported in last week's column.

Merrick Needham, renowned protocol consultant, has been kind enough to guide and advise on some protocol slips I made in regard to describing some of the events of that period.

Others still treasure their Independence cups presented to all school children in 1962.

Pleasant memories

The Independence float of August 1962 brings back pleasant memories to thousands who marched, danced, and marvelled that Saturday afternoon.

I was among a group of school friends who marched as the Munro sixth form - Claude Bowen, Earl Dixon, Douglas Welds, Leroy Cooke, Franklyn Bronstorph, and, if memory serves me right, Michael Prescod and Brian Morgan.

Foreign visitors were astonished at the dignity and discipline of Jamaicans at the celebrations. The unity displayed by the political parties was exemplary. There had been bitter political divisions exposed after five national elections in rapid succession in the years leading up to 1962. Norman Manley, who, according to Rex Nettleford, must have been surely disappointed, was scrupulous in his display of cooperation with plans for Independence Week. A diary entry expressed his commitment to "see that nothing is done to kill the effort to make Independence Week worthwhile and inspiring". His speech at the opening of Parliament is worth remembering.

"We are here today surrounded by an unseen host of witnesses, the men who in the past and throughout our history strove to keep alight the torch of freedom. This House is their memorial ... I believe we can so manage ourselves as to demonstrate how, by making our motto, 'Out of many, one people', come to speak the truth about ourselves, and we can become a shining example of the sort of world men sometimes dream to live in ... ."

And so, on to our 50th anniversary.

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