Flags and gowns
Jamaica’s Independence Day
I have to write something about Jamaica’s Independence Day. As usual, there was the colonial-style pomp and ceremony in long gowns and stiff suits; the cheerful waving of flags at the National Stadium’s Grand Gala, which looked like fun; and a list of 140 recipients of National Honours, including many deserving individuals - and some clearly being rewarded for their unwavering advocacy on behalf of the current political administration.
Oh, and the speeches, too, those special messages that often sound like last year’s, recycled and tweaked a bit. The Prime Minister used the occasion to tout the huge National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) established to manage the myriad issues arising since Hurricane Melissa nearly ten months ago. What sticks in my mind is the image of his wife’s voluminous gown - greener than green, bunches of it. This appeared to be a celebration of the ruling political party, whose colour is green, rather than the black, gold and green of the Jamaican flag.
I hope my Jamaican friends thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.
Petchary, you let me down this time. I saw it announced that you had something to say re Independence. So I got a cup of cocoa and an oversweet piece of pastry and leaned back to read. Only to see that Petchary's piece was done in less than two minutes. Even so, I thought you had something much more biting in the works and pulled back because, well, it's Independence time when we should all be nice and say pleasant, even inane, things.