Oliver Samuels shares disenchantment with 12 days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II in viral video

King of Comedy Oliver Samuels has a new status – viral – and this time it’s definitely not because of one of his numerous side-splitting jokes.

Oliver’s video, in which he questioned Jamaica’s allegiance to the British monarchy and aired his disenchantment with the announcement by Prime Minister Holness that the island is in 12 days of mourning following the September 8 death of Queen Elizabeth II, has gone viral.

“Mi nuh know why, but it stir up everybody,” Oliver told The Gleaner. “People from all over the world calling me and congratulating me. My nephew in Canada told me, ‘Uncle, I am so proud of you.’ I think it went viral because it’s something that a lot of people want to say but they just haven’t. But really, why are we mourning this lady ... with all the injustices that the monarchy has done to us? But, I didn’t too criticise her, because it’s our prime minister who I want answers from.”

Information from the Government stated that Jamaica began an official period of mourning for the late Queen on September 8, now known as the Day of Demise. The period will run until September 19, which, according to a statement from King’s House, will be the Day of National Mourning.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) advised that no celebratory activities or events should be held from September 8 to 19. “On the Day of Mourning, the public should note that only authorised activities related to the day are approved and that all social events should be postponed,” the OPM statement said.

Laughing at the humorous side of him going viral for addressing a serious issue, Oliver – who is touring with his latest play, Guilty With Explanation, which was written and directed by Patrick Brown – said perhaps he won’t be able to return to Jamaica, “because dem tag di prime minister inna [the video]”.

In his unscripted, two-minute-and-48-second clip, the cultural icon addresses his “world fambily” while standing in front of a cannon located in St Thomas, Virgin Islands. The cannon, he shared, “is symbolic of the kind of oppression we have been under,” therefore his choice was deliberate.

Declaring in the video that “me is not a political creature”, Oliver added that “sometimes as a citizen of the world ... as a citizen of Jamaica ... sometimes certain things happen and yuh have to express yuh views”.

“And me is talking to oonu now as a fambily, and those who don’t like it can resign and come out of the fambily... . Now listen to mi, the Queen ... Queen Elizabeth II of England has passed on and may her soul rest in peace. But listen now, after 50 ... a wha’? ...60 years ... of Independence, do you think any independent nation within the Caribbean shoulda a talk ‘bout seh dem a go have 12 days of mourning? Mourning for what? Eeh?” he quizzed.

“Inna we desperation, di Queen neva see it fit fi seh mek she gi we something. We have declared our Independence and therefore we haffi mek wi owna decision. We haffi determine wi owna destiny. That is what I think independence is. I still cannot understnad why this woman was the head of Jamaica, and we have a governor general, when we claim seh we have independence,” the hero of the world-acclaimed Oliver at Large series said.

He implored Jamaica to be like Barbodos and “shelf all vestiges of the British monarchy and tek on fi wi destiny truly”.

In a tone large with concern and fearlessness, Oliver spoke directly to Prime Minister Holness.

“Now, Mr Prime Minister of Jamaica, I am in total disagreement with the fact that you are declaring 12 days of mourning for the Queen. Yuh hear whe mi tell yuh sah? Mi really, really nuh tink it necessary. And world fambily, as i said to yuh, mi want oonu express onnuself. Tell me what oonu tink. Yuh hear mi world fambily? ‘Cause, who am I? I am just a mere lickle Jamaican Caribbean man in the world. And a so mi see it, and a so mi express it.”

Oliver urged in his sign-off, “Have a wonderful day. Love, nuff love, mek we rally together and be one of the greatest nations of this earth.”

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com