Person of the Year 2013

Orville Taylor

Who is the Jamaican most deserving of the title, Personality of the Year? Such an individual must have captured the imagination of the average Jamaican, stimulated strong nationalistic feelings and made a difference either in the way we see ourselves, or how others see us.

Once again, the ubiquitous Usain St Leo Bolt is a strong contender. Still, for all he has done and the copping of another International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) award for Athlete of the Year, there is nothing new that Bolt has done to enhance the image of Jamaica or engender national unity. The fact is, Bolt did, in 2013, all that before, and by his standards, underperformed. His times were modest and he set no world or personal records.

Nonetheless, with the falling from grace of Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, and with only the tainted Justin Gatlin to challenge, his job was easier, but also more difficult, given that his star had to shine brighter to compensate for the diminished galaxy. However, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, did indeed cross into virgin territory,

winning the sprint double, including the 100 metres, in her personal record and the fastest global time in two years. She dismissed all her threats and humiliated her opponents in securing an achievement, which on the face of it, was equal to Bolt. Yet, her opponents, including the fancied American 4x100 metres relay team, were closer in ranking. Thus, although much smaller than Bolt, her triple, personal best and first Athlete of the Year award put her shoulders and head above Bolt.

Believe it or not, Renee Anne Shirley, the emasculated former executive director of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) is also well deserving of consideration. It was dirty laundry, including socks, tights, and derailed jock straps, and Shirley exposed all of the holes in JADCO, including, the non-existent ones made by syringes for timely blood tests. Yet, not only did she light a fire, but she galvanised a nation, as we were united in the cause of protecting our image against the onslaught of criticism, justified or otherwise. As we nervously anticipated the threatened ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the head of IAAF, Lamine Diack, came out swinging in our defence. The likely result is an awakening by the administration, though belated, and a commitment to uplift the drug administration system of the fastest people on Earth. Therefore, inasmuch as it seemed to be sheer treachery on Shirley's part, it did pull us together.

Filling in the shoes of Greg Christie, the most visible contractor general ever, might be a daunting task. Disliked by both parties, he became the poster child for anti-corruption activity. In came Dirk Harrison, who some might have felt was sympathetic to the ruling Peoples' National Party (PNP), and initially caused disquiet among the Labourites. Then, after investigating the construction of a few board shops in the Spalding Market, he found that junior minister in the local government ministry, Richard Azan, had acted improperly. Beyond that, PNP Mayor of May Pen Scean Barnswell failed to cooperate in the investigation. Although no charges were laid against Azan, he still attracted criticism and doubtless, even by his own admission, did something wrong. Dirk Harrison: finalist.

soccer-savvy public

Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson, the prolific Waterhouse striker, is also a candidate. In a year when the Reggae Boyz were as goal-oriented as an unambitious person and afraid of crosses like vampires, Jamaica's football administration, for reasons unknown to the soccer-savvy public, kept him out of the squad and sitting on the bench for so long, he almost got splinters and lockjaw. Then to the chagrin of our football bosses, Tuffy scored more swiftly than a rich man in a warehouse. Tuffy found the net so quickly that at least one Royal Box occupant forgot to cheer, possibly searching for his heart medicine.

Whether Tuffy truly deserved his place and was victimised is moot. What is significant is that he pulled together national consensus and forced the will of the public to be acknowledged.

In the field of science and innovation, distinguished writer and researcher Dr Henry Lowe has moved to the next step from the earlier work in extracting Canasol from the good 'ishen' collie weed. With the inauguration of his company, Medicanja, he is sitting on a multi-million dollar industry which can solve many of our socio-economic problems. This, of course, assumes that goats and government agents don't nip it in the bud.

It might not be much science, and more expedience and politics, but the few little 'lizzads' on the soon-to-be mannish water, Goat Islands, are worthy of candidacy too. Fewer issues have called out Government, Opposition, environmentalist and development scholars. Iguanas: finalists.

There is a toss-up between Andrew Holness and Audley Shaw as to who is more deserving. Shaw started a campaign which began like a whisper and seemed as bankrupt as a car with an empty gas tank. However, as if powered by caffeine-laced coffee, the final two months saw him making a credible challenge, getting Jamaica wondering if he would have made Holness smell defeat. Alas, in the end, despite a valiant effort, the Shaw campaign went belly-up and Holness displayed his cunning, removing those who didn't support him from his shadow cabinet. Defrocking Arthur Williams and 'Brighter than him' Christopher Tufton by a sword of Damocles letter incredibly written by the learned attorney, Williams, himself, Holness moved from Baby Bruce, to Baby One Don.

Finally, we have Tessanne Chin. Considered a second or third-rate star by event organisers, the erstwhile lesser-rated of the two sisters entered a singing contest in the USA on the initiative of entertainer and philanthropist, Orville Shaggy Burrell. Against all odds and pulling in millions of viewers, this Jamaican, who genetically epitomises our motto, forced the world to look, stop, listen and watch.

Tessanne: winner.

Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in sociology at the UWI and a radio talk-show host. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com. and tayloronblackline@hotmail.com