THE EDITOR, Sir:WHILE READING the distinguished career obituary summary of Mrs. Rosemary Brown who died recently I am reminded of a statement I heard after the reading of the eulogy at a funeral recently. The statement was that this quality eulogy should be called "Truth-Eulogy".
The real truth about the life, service, career and achievements of this 'icon' Rosemary Brown will definitely need volumes to document and preserve. As a family adapted to the challenges and opportunities facing us in Canada during the 1970s we got interested in black legislators at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. There were the male stalwarts like Lennie Braithwaite and Lincoln Alexander who claimed Jamaican roots. However, it was Rosemary Brown living on the Pacific Coast town of Canada (Vanc-ouver) who captured our undivided attention.
EASE AND DECORUM
In addition to the list of achievements mentioned in The Gleaner editorial of May 5, 2003, we watched the ease and decorum with which she articulated her points in the British Columbia Legislature. She was not one who was afraid of challenges. This was evident when she ran unsuccessfully for the top leadership post of the Federal New Democratic Party of Canada.
Interviews with her on radio or television were enlightening and stimulating.
How can we immortalise the memory of this 'icon' without mentioning her book entitled Being Brown. This should be considered as valuable reading material for those of us who are interested in 'Black History' and the contribution Jamaicans are making to the world in general.
THE ROSEMARY
BROWN TYPE
Our people need to know more about the Rosemary Brown-type (female and male) so that when the negative news portraits are given from abroad we can just tune out the negative.
I am, etc.,
REV. Dr. FRANK E.
LAWRENCE
Runaway Bay, St. Ann
