Living Legacies

Hey World!


In honour of Black History Month and February being identified as Reggae Month here on the island, i will highlight some of Jamaica's living legacies namely our heroes and those identified by a majority of the people, as being a true Jamaican Hero.


All of Jamaica’s national heroes fought to establish and lay the foundation and identity of Jamaica as a nation. They earned their status because of their political anti-slavery colonial endeavors. In one way or another they either fought for or were responsible for the development of the nation.


Some were freedom fighters on the battle field for the liberation of Jamaica, like Paul Bogle, Nanny of the Maroons and Sam Sharpe, others sought to establish freedom through the more formal legal and constitutional process like George William Gordon, Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante.


Marcus Garvey, the first national hero, contribution was made because of the global impact of his political and ideological philosophy- Black Nationalism. Bob Marley in his music philosophically drew almost exclusively from Garvey’s political philosophy and work.


However, there are two persons who the Jamaican people would like to see being bestowed as a National Hero and they are Bob Marley and Louise Bennett-Coverley. The strongest argument for considering Marley as a national hero is as a cultural icon and how that related to Jamaica’s national identity. Marley’s accomplishments and impact has enhanced Jamaica’s national identity in the international community.


While Louise Bennett "Miss Lou" is our first lady of culture. Louise Bennett-Coverley is a poet and folklorist of international reputation, an radio and television personality; an author of folk stories; a dominant personality of Jamaican theatre for four decades.  In short she is a living - and more often than laughing - a legend in her time. Her honours have ranged from the Member of the Order of the British Empire awarded by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961, the Musgrave Silver Medal, the Norman Manley Award of Excellence, and in 1974, the Order of Jamaica which entitled her to be addressed as 'the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley'.

NB.* All the individuals being highlighted are deceased. But i guess you must be wondering, why i refer to them as living legacies. The answer is really simple, the individuals above have made an indeliable mark on Jamaican society and although death have separated us, we still remember and honour their work.