ORVILLE W. TAYLOR
ORVILLE W. TAYLOR
NO! THERE is no misspelling in the caption above. I am not so dunce! The two words are related because each produces an effect that creates or perpetuates illusions. Heroes are not simply the products of real historical events; they are created in the minds of those who write, hear, and read history. Persons who are in charge of the process of developing and recording ideologies are the ones who make heroes.
In some cases the work of the would-be hero is seen by so many that the evidence is incontrovertible. In others it is simply a mock-up version for the books. We know for example that the ancient Egyptian monarchs never recorded defeats and failures in their hieroglyphs. Similarly, the end of slavery is often documented as the result of planter benevolence and Jesus was white with a neatly trimmed beard. Sorry! He was a Nazarene dreadlocks! It is with a cruel irony that William Purvis, Lee Burridge and W.A. Lovette invented the fountain pen, typewriter and the advanced printing press, respectively. Yet these tools have written them and other Black folk out of history.
CREATING MYTHS
Still, we have been guilty of creating myths in our zeal to make our heroes larger than life. All our heroes are flawed humans. Put the woman first. Nanny is surrounded by legends and much about her is constructed. According to lore she caught bullets in her... mhmm. Of course these myths are the result of her fighting prowess. I always wondered though, why Nanny became the heroine when Cudjoe was the leader who spanked the British and then signed the treaty. Did you ever wonder if Sam Sharpe did lead the Christmas Rebellion or was it because the British were unsure about who did it since "is long time black people don't inform?"
As for informers, did you know that it was the Maroons who caught Paul Bogle and handed him over? But before you start being 'Maroonophobic' remember that the first sets of slaves sent here were sold by other Africans. Surely you are aware that George William Gordon had no part with the Morant Bay Rebellion and he was executed because he used to "lick out" against injustice and spoke fairly and without fear. (Watch mi back? Thanks!) As for Bogle, he did not go to "bruk fight" (although he was prepared). If he had wanted a war he would not have attempted to have dialogue with 'Busha.' As great as Marcus [Garvey] was, in his early years he spoke against other black people who were "uncultured." He also reputedly said derogatory things about the brown complexion of Black American leader W.E.B. DuBois. By the way, Garvey is our most famous 'deportee' so they are not all criminals.
Has anyone ever wondered why Norman Manley was so heroic in seeking independence and Federation? My suspicions are that this was due to his arriving in England and despite his privileged position in Jamaica he realised that he was a 'nigger' or 'darkie' and thus, could not be commissioned in the British military. This surely kindled strong nationalist sentiments at the personal level. Was it ambition or altruism?
We know that Bustamante was the father of Jamaican trade unionism. Right? Yeah right! Glasspole and others did try before and so did Garvey in the 1920s. Before them, another Alexander, one Bain Alves formed two unions (then illegal) among dock workers and led a national strike to get the Trade Union Act passed in 1919. Having broken with Buchanan and Henry's JWTU Busta was not an active unionist when '1938' started and only got involved after his efforts as mediator were rejected. I am still unconvinced that any black constable would have dared shooting or touching him. Was St. William Grant, who introduced Busta to the workers, beaten?
Oftentimes, heroes are men and women who are in the right place at the right time. Still others are made by the press and scribes. In Heroes Week we need to see true and not fake or embellished views of them. When we see their humanity we come to appreciate them more if they are truly heroic. Real heroes stand the test of deep scrutiny with all their shortcomings.
Incidentally, will a hero be found for the Reggae Boyz in the United States in November? Though I doubt it, it would be wonderful if 'pizza-man' would be like Lazarus (I think his name means 'Little Lazarus') and resurrect our hopes. Alas, inasmuch as I know that we are capable of trouncing the U.S. "inna dem own yard" like your next door neighbour who is 'badder' than you, I fear that he will do as Jesus said, "Come fourth" in the zone. Although my 31 years of football spectatorship does not make me an expert, I cannot fathom Lazaroni's logic for keeping 'Bomber' on the bench for so long and for not starting Pepe in Panama. Now, after two humiliating goals could he not find a solution for Roberto Brown who clearly has his ticket? Sorry, I want more for my bucks.
THE BRIGHT SIDE
If we fail to qualify, the bright side of the departure from the World Cup would be that we wouldn't have to pay US$40-odd thousand per month. Maybe they would then "run some funds" on track and field having budgeted for a long-term expenditure on the coach. Still, I am praying that we win.
Oh readers, thanks for the caution, but I am not playing 'hero.' However, if people are stupid enough to think that by defending free speech and giving my opinion I am anti-whatever, then the world is more dangerous than I thought. Anyway it has been two weeks so I have long put that article 'behind' me (in a manner of speaking).
Dr. Orville Taylor is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the UWI, Mona campus.
