By Dennie Quill, ContributorTHIS WEEK it's all about the late Hugh Lawson Shearer, who served as Jamaica's third Prime Minister between 1967 and 1972. Many column inches have already been written calling to mind his great qualities and his contribution to this nation, more will be written and said over the next few days as the tributes and occasional criticisms pour in. He touched so many lives in Jamaica, the region and in far away places. For many ordinary people there are special memories of this towering man with the soft heart. As one listens to assorted tales of his kindness, which run the gamut from surprise birthday presents, to making airline bookings on people's behalf, to sourcing out-of-season otaheite apples for an ailing colleague, one wonders how he found the time.
One of the touching tributes I heard came from his housekeeper of more than 30 years, Ms. Lucille Bennett, who said among other things: "He was never too busy to listen." There is a lesson in that for all of us. Too often we get so bloated with our own self-importance that we fail to hear when members of our families, friends and colleagues or employees are trying to reach us. Mr. Shearer was the genuine article, one of the few black men who had power but was never bumptious or obnoxious. A man who could quite comfortably sit at the back of a room and took pleasure in introducing himself, "My name is Hugh Shearer", he was often heard to say.
RED CARPET, FATTED CALF
I got an idea of the compassionate nature of the man during a visit to a St. Mary district many years ago. As is their style, the residents rolled out the red carpet and killed the fatted calf. Mr. Shearer was the centre of attraction. Some time after the important people had been fed one could hear Mr. Shearer enquiring about the welfare of the security men and the press corps. He leaned back in his characteristic manner and quizzed his hosts. "Tell me something, dem don't eat food to?" The shamefaced hosts hurriedly got together and made amends.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, Jamaica enjoyed great economic buoyance. Factories were opened all over the country. Mr. Shearer did much more than unlock the Jamaican economy. Of course this period of our nation's development can only be appreciated when cast in a broad historical context going back more than 30 years.
According to one academic, there are two kinds of political leaders. There are those for whom politics is like a tactical game and winning is all that matters. But there are those who see politics as a means of defending the poor and furthering wholesome values in people. Mr. Shearer fell in the latter category. He also understood that political differences were not the same as personal differences.
Education was one of his passions. And this was what propelled him from his small village of Martha Brae to the most powerful seat of the nation. As head of government he will be remembered for a massive school building programme undertaken throughout Jamaica.
A TOUCHING STORY
Many would have read Michael Lee Chin's touching story of how Mr. Shearer helped him to finish his education in Canada. I recall his lament about the lack of job prospects for high school graduates at a ceremony at his beloved Vere Technical High School in Clarendon. On that occasion he was particularly annoyed with those parents who came to him for assistance to buy graduation gears instead of asking for help in getting jobs. His first question to the parent was "Does he have a job?"
Mr. Shearer connected with people. One of his lasting friendships was with advertising executive Junior Foote. Not many will know that they even started a newspaper. Their relationship lasted through thick and especially through thin. And Mr. Shearer liked to fraternise with a special group and their marathon Friday afternoon get-togethers were crowned by happy laughter. Men like James Kerr, Justices Lensley Wolfe and Billy Walker and Leslie Watts will not forget Mr. Shearer or his jokes in a long time. Hartley Neita who served as his press secretary, has been working on a book about Mr. Shearer and from early reviews it sounds like an excellent account of Mr. Shearer's interesting life. We look forward to seeing it roll off the press.
Many of our current politicians would love to wear Shearer's mantle. They could start by learning to accept power with humility. Then they could try being congenial instead of confrontational. These are some of Mr. Shearer's strengths and they are well worth emulating.
One suggestion has been made that a library be named in Mr. Shearer's memory. Well how about the Montego Bay Port being renamed the Hugh Shearer Port? We wait to see how the nation will preserve his memory.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who can be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com
