Tacky a hero, Maroons traitors
Published:Friday | October 18, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I believe the Rev Devon Dick completely missed one point from Dr Orville Taylor's brilliant piece 'Tacky above some heroes' (Sunday Gleaner, October 6, 2013).
The article highlighted the paradox - some may say even hypocritical reality - that we today revere Maroons for their contribution to nation building, even to the point where Nanny is today a national heroine, when they were complicit in the continued enslavement of their black brothers and sisters, by capturing and returning fleeing slaves to their masters for a price.
Tacky, along with many of his followers, was captured and killed by Maroons, and it was their action that ultimately led to the defeat of Tacky and his followers.
Why then should any Maroon hold pride of place in our history?
I have always said that I can imagine the anguish in the heart of a young female slave who was being brutally raped by barbaric masters. This woman one day mustered the courage to run away into the unknown, trekked in the woods for days without food or water, and days later came upon someone who looked like her, someone who she felt would share her pain.
This black brother, a Maroon, bound the runaway and dragged her back to the plantation to be subjected to continued rape or even death. Is the Maroon deserving of an esteemed position in our history?
Tacky gave his life for the freedom of all enslaved persons. The Maroons were certainly traitors to his cause.
JEROME HENRY