Hero status for 'Miss Lou'
published: Tuesday | November 22, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS in trying times like these that our national symbols become most important, as they help to reassure us of a sense of place, purpose and belonging. Dr. the Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley, Miss Lou, has been a mainstay of Jamaican culture since the 1950s. She has had a profound impact on the way we Jamaicans have come to identify, understand and appreciate ourselves as a people. I am therefore appealing to Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, Prime Minister Patterson and those powers that be to confer the order of National Hero on Miss Lou.

Undoubtedly, the 'mother figure' is permanently embroidered into our social fabric, unfortunately, it seems evident that our fabric has begun to rot, as also the respect that we show for our women. Now more than ever we are to give our young women, a new found hope and belief in their own power to transform society away from what it seems destined to become. Let us celebrate and give tribute to Jamaican women by giving Miss Lou this thoroughly deserved honour as she is indeed a symbol of hope for our country and faith in our people.

I am, etc.,

PAUL 'OPERA'

THOMPSON

Taylor Hall, UWI, Mona.

Via Go-Jamaica