THE EDITOR, Madam:
IN RECENT years and especially during the World Cup 1998 campaign, a rather disturbing practice seemed to have been seeping into our culture. This has to do with the stance that one must assume during the singing of the National Anthem.
It is my understanding that one must assume an erect posture with both hands at the sides and head held high in order to show respect during the singing of the Jamaican National Anthem.
Despite this however we saw many of our national players placing their hands to their chest; a rather sad reflection of how deeply entrenched is the American culturisation of Jamaica. I was saddened by this realisation but forgave them on the grounds of ignorance and the possession of the copycat mentality forced on us by an ever-increasing diet of American programmes and cultural interactions.
But Madam Editor (and this is where I draw the line) can you imagine my surprise when I saw our Governor General during the recent Honours Awards at Kings House put his hand to his chest during the singing of the anthem?
While one can easily pass off the errant behaviour of some of our Reggae Boys the same is not true for the GG who one would like to believe is fully grounded in Jamaican culture and hence would not be easily swayed by the onslaught of external cultural influences.
I ask therefore Madam Editor, that a programme which seeks to promote Jamaican culture be readily implemented so that the very young and vulnerable will be able to survive and maintain their identity in the face of increasing globalisation and the eradication of borders and ultimately cultural identity.
I am etc.,
GEORGE KIRBY E-mail: gpops99@yahoo.com
Via Go-Jamaica
