Hail a hero! - Floral tribute marks 134th anniversary of Bustamante's birth
Published:Saturday | February 24, 2018 | 12:00 AMCarlene Davis
Members of the political directorate, trade unions and civil society yesterday took time out to hail National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante on the 134th anniversary of his birth.
In leading the tributes, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange argued that Jamaica would have been a very different place today in terms of human and gender rights without the work of the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante.
Speaking during a floral tribute at National Heroes Park, Grange said Jamaica has arrived where it is today in gender equality largely thanks to his efforts.
"Should a woman be able to do work that is equal to a man's effort, she should be paid an equal wage," said Grange, quoting Bustamante.
She mentioned his marriage to women's rights activist Gladys Longbridge as a true indication of leading by example.
"It shows that he was much more than words, he believed in the real possibilities of man and wife standing together instead of one behind the other," added Grange.
Put his life on the line
She applauded the national hero for his work done for Jamaicans who migrated and fought for England in World War II, but who were not being treated fairly.
"So even as he stood up bare-chested and put his life on the line during the labour riots of 1938, he had one goal in mind, the ordinary workers of Jamaica, even under a colonial administration, had to get a fair deal.
"He was not afraid to rail against the State and all the companies that were taking all the wealth out of Jamaica and building the mansions at Chelsea and Fulham that are now worth billions, while Jamaica's cane fields today suffer from ... excessive production over the decades, even centuries," argued Grange.
Sir Alexander Bustamante was born William Alexander Clarke on February 24, 1884, in Blenheim, Hanover. He became the first prime minister of independent Jamaica in 1962. In 1969, he was made a national hero. He died on August 6, 1977, at the age of 93.