Tony BeccaTHE NEWS that Merlene Ottey, Jamaica's magnificent track athlete, is seeking Slovenian citizenship has angered a number of Jamaicans and that is understandable.
What is difficult to accept, however, is that some Jamaicans are so mad that they have described her as being unfaithful, unpatriotic and ungrateful.
According to reports coming out of Slovenia, and based on the words of her manager, Daniel Zimmerman, Ottey is not relinquishing her Jamaican citizenship. She is simply seeking Slovenian citizenship.
If that is so, it is strange that people in a place like Jamaica - a country with so many thousands of its people living abroad and holding two passports, some even only a foreign one, should be so upset.
It is more strange coming from a people with so many fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, uncles, aunties, nephews and nieces abroad - many of whom either have or dream of a having a foreign passport, some of whom boast on their less fortunate at home about their prized possession.
In a way, however, it is not strange. There are Jamaicans who believe that the rich, the talented and the skilled should not leave Jamaica. As far as they are concerned, only those seen as a burden - the poor, the unemployed and the unskilled - should leave.
They are the same ones who believe that but for the rich, Jamaica is for Jamaicans only - even though their sibblings are living abroad and demanding equal rights.
The truth is that Jamaicans should leave Ottey alone, and for one simple reason. Like every other Jamaican, Ottey, who has not lived in this country for half of her life and who has been living in Slovenia for the past three years, is free to live wherever she so desires.
Once she decides to do that, she should protect herself - particularly if she is in business, and that involves becoming a part of that society and becoming a citizen. It is as simple as that.
It would be wonderful if, like Herb McKenley and Arthur Wint, Ottey returns home to live. As a Jamaican who has achieved so much, she would be an inspiration to young people.
The world is not filled with McKenleys and Wints, however. There are many great Jamaicans living abroad, the deeds of athletes like George Rhoden, Lennox Miller and Don Quarrie are not forgotten because they are living in a foreign country, and whether Ottey returns or not, she can still be an inspiration.
In describing Ottey as being unfaithful, unpatriotic and ungrateful, people talk about what Jamaica has done for her, the honours the country has bestowed on her, and all that is true.
What is equally true, however, is that much of what was done was not done with Ottey's welfare in mind. Much of what was done was done because of the gift she had and the prospects of the glory she could win for her school and for her country.
As far as being ungrateful is concerned, the Jamaicans who are condemning Ottey for her choice of where to live are the ones who could be described as being ungrateful.
Ottey has devoted her life to track and field and by winning 35 medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championships she has served Jamaica well, she has brought glory to Jamaica, she has marketed Jamaica, and she has made Jamaicans proud - including those living in foreign countries.
Should Ottey have decided to seek citizenship for a foreign country?
Like other Jamaicans, that is her business, her decision.
Should Ottey return home? That would be nice.
Should Jamaicans, if they could, insist that Ottey comes home? Only if they are prepared to reward her financially for the many times when because of her Jamaica was exposed on prime time television around the world - only if they can guarantee her financial security for the rest of her life.
The history of Jamaica's sports is filled with forgotten heroes - those who once were so loved, role models who became just another poor Jamaican when the cheering was over.
FROM THE BOUNDARY
