Paul Bogle THE EDITOR, Madam:
THE GLEANER must be commended for publishing articles over the National Heroes weekend that were relevant to National Heritage. There was the article by senior writer Calvin Bowen who outlined the contribution of the National Heroes and the hardships they encountered in achieving their goals. Then in The Sunday Gleaner the front-page story tells the sorry tale of persons selling the bricks from protected monuments. Then there was the cover story in The Sunday Magazine entitled 'Awaiting the Resurrection-Where are the Bodies?'
But what was the point of the article on 'Where are the Bodies?' It tells a tale in sixteen paragraphs mainly about missing bodies around the world and the concluding paragraph talks about the body of Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. Only the first three paragraphs mention the bodies of three of our Heroes. What a dis!
Then there was the story about those who were laid to rest in the National Heroes Park. It was a good idea but the writer forgot Ken Hill. Worse was to come when the writer forgot the main achievements of National Hero Paul Bogle. Based on space allocation the writer gave more prominence to Donald Sangster and Michael Manley than to Marcus Garvey and Paul Bogle.
Three sentences only described Paul Bogle's achievements. The first sentence was that he was hanged with George William Gordon for the role in the events of 1865. In fact, they were hanged on separate days. Interestingly, the writer in mentioning the achievements of Gordon did not say Gordon was hanged with Paul Bogle.
The second sentence about Bogle was that he led a march that, "culminated in the 'riot' and the burning of the courthouse'. To call it a riot is unfortunate. The late Professor Douglas Hall in 1959 called it a riot and called Bogle a rioter and a dangerous man in his book 'Free Jamaica'. However, Gleaner Board member Professor Don Robotham showed that the Bogle march was well organised with people from all over Eastern Jamaica. In addition, they had a common grievance and shared a political goal. These findings can be found in his paper cynically entitled 'The Notorious Riot'.
The important culmination of the march was that 439 peasants were brutally killed and 1000 homes and chapel senselessly destroyed plus the chapel. This was so atrocious that it was the major news story in USA and the United Kingdom. This issue was debated in the British Parliament for seven years and divided the British society into two with those who supported Bogle against those who supported Governor Eyre.
The third and final sentence about Paul Bogle said that Bogle had agitated up to then without success on behalf of landless, poor peasants. What a depressing picture of Bogle. At least, when the writer mentioned Sam Sharpe she said that Sharpe speeded up the abolition of slavery. The result of the Bogle movement was that a different political system was established in Jamaica that was more responsive to the people.
There was increased expenditure on education, roads and medical service. A Police Force and civil service were established and also new irrigation schemes. The Judicial system was greatly improved. The Anglican Church was disestablished not only in Jamaica but also throughout the British Empire with the exception of Barbados. Indeed, much of the political, social and religious structure that exists today is as a result of the Bogle protest.
It seems as if some persons have forgotten about the heroes who are lying dead in the Park. This is to 'dis the dead'. It is important to re-write our history and write about the accomplishments of the heroes.
I am etc.,
DEVON DICK
Boulevard Baptist Church
Kingston 20
