Devon Dick
RECENTLY, RICHARD HART, in response to receiving the Musgrave Gold Medal, for distinguished eminence in literature, recalled the contribution of O. T. Fairclough as founder of the People's National Party (PNP) in Jamaica. Richard Hart is well-known in political circles for his role as Attorney-General during Maurice Bishop's rule of Grenada and also as one of the 4Hs who were expelled from the PNP. In addition, his book, Slaves who Abolished Slavery, rightly gave credit to the contribution of the Africans, who were overlooked in many scholarly works.
However, it was a bombshell when he revealed that it was O.T. Fairclough of African descent, former senior banker in Haiti, who had the idea of a political party. The Rt. Excellent Norman Manley was even reluctant to agree to the idea of the PNP and had to be persuaded by O.T. Fairclough, publisher of the Public Opinion newspaper, to become part of the PNP. So the credit of founder of the PNP should go to O.T. Fairclough and the title of first president to Norman Manley. If this is so, then the PNP has done a disservice in not recognising Fairclough as founder.
Amateur historian, C. Lloyd Allen, better known as former Boxing Board president, confirmed statements about Fairclough as true. He also added that the Most Honourable Hugh Shearer has not been recognised by having things named after him.
Institutional framework is important for the sustainability of a movement; selection of leadership; mobilising of members; the discussion of ideas and implementation and evaluation of programmes. Therefore, persons such as Fairclough and Shearer should be appropriately recognised.
PARTISAN FAVOUR
However, the country must have a policy on the timing of when certain high honours should be given. Paying tribute to persons by the naming of roads and buildings in their honour, awarding of National Hero, OM and OJ and such high honour should be given to politicians and others after they have retired for at least a year from their endeavours or after their death. This would make it more objective, have less partisan favour or emotive responses. Sometimes when recognition is given prematurely, the awardees, during active service, discredit themselves.
But perhaps the most glaring omission is the regard given to those we have declared as National Heroes. I did an online search of the National Library's catalogue and only Marcus Garvey, as National Hero, had more than one entry.
GEORGE WILLIAM GORDON
Apart from Richard Hart's father's book on George William Gordon, what other work has been done on Gordon? It took me three years to find the speeches George William Gordon delivered in the House of Assembly, thanks to Dr. Clinton Hutton, of UWI. They are not in the National Library, National Archives, or House of Parliament. Why is there no book on the selected speeches of Gordon? Where is the authoritative work on the life of Paul Bogle? What has been written on Sam Sharpe since C.S. Reid's 'From Slave to National Hero?' And what of Nanny, where is her biography?
The literature output on the National Heroes is woefully inadequate. Hopefully, with the impending celebrations in 2007 to mark the bicentennial of the end of slavery, the role of our Heroes in the dismantling of slavery and its consequences will be highlighted and published.
Yesterday, the Institute of Jamaica unveiled a plaque in honour of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Seacole. Perhaps, the criteria could be changed so that a bust of Mary Seacole could adorn the World Heroes Park, Tom Redcam Drive.
It is also time to honour our footballers on the Wall of Excellence. A group picture of the Reggae Boyz who helped us to qualify as the first English-speaking Caribbean country for World Cup football should be on that wall. A separate photo should be there of Ricardo Gardener, who has been playing English Premier League football for at least five of the seven years he has been at Bolton. That feat takes talent, skill, discipline and dedication. And why is Bert Cameron's picture not there?
It is necessary to show appropriate appreciation to those who have served well. It can be an
inspiration to other generations. It also helps us to understand our identity and how we got to be where we are.
Rev Devon Dick s pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building.
