While Jamaicans’ love for a good, emotional legacy from their national heroes, Bob Marley is just as good a representative of their people as their heroes, Sam Sharpe, Nanny, George William Gordon, Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Paul Bogle, and Marcus Garvey.
He was not a politician and did not engineer the country’s quest for independence; neither was he a freedom fighter who gave his life for a cause. But he was a man of courage and will, ready for the challenge of change.
Since two former premiers, Manley and Bustamante, were bestowed National Hero status, many say Michael Manley, who was loved and regarded as the most strategic Prime Minister, should also be in the conversation about the country’s next National Hero. Michael Manley was said to have significantly changed the vision, status, mental landscape, and outlook of a nation and got the world as a whole to fall behind, but that is for another article.
Also, since there is yet to be a push for Michael Manley to be a National Hero, many are continuing their quest to help bring awareness to why Bob Marley deserves this national honour. The decision, it’s said, should not be political or emotional.
Instead, it should be a logical and transparent committee decision. The facts should be examined critically so that the people can feel satisfied and proud that the efforts of our leadership and the bestowing of national honours are in congruence with their wishes.
Understanding more about life today, people can decide what they will. Paul Bogle put himself in harm’s way, was arrested, and died for freedom and the abolishment of slavery.
The same happened to George William Gordon, who received an early release from enslavement from his father. He was arrested and killed because he supported Paul Bogle, wanted better treatment for Black people, and disagreed with the Governor on the matter, and as a result was hung.
Nanny fought against oppression and for the freedom of enslaved people. Over a 30-year period, she was credited with freeing more than 1000 people from enslavement.
There was immense pressure in the 1970s from citizens who called for a female National hero. Nanny was named the sixth hero in 1975, in a move that was also aligned with encouraging equality in salaries for women at the time.
