Heather Robinson
THERE ARE many things that the generation of Jamaicans who are teenagers or in their early twenties are unaware of. Some of these include diseases such as cholera, yaws, malaria; and insects such as chink and chigger. Coir and grass-stuffed mattresses are also of another era. Jamaicans no longer use 'grips' or 'Dulcimina' bags when coming from country to Kingston, and I certainly cannot recall when last I saw someone using straw dye and a coconut brush to clean floors.
Some time last week I heard journalist Barbara Gloudon remark that in days of yore Jamaicans, and indeed politicians, would settle arguments with the use of language. This, she reminded us, was commonplace in the Houses of Parliament and in everyday Jamaica. Indeed, many Jamaicans, especially our parliamentarians, took pleasure in exhibiting their debating skills and knowledge of the English language to settle differences. However, those Jamaicans who were able and still are able to do this were well-read persons who practised and rehearsed the use of language as the most powerful form of self-defence.
GGs AND EDUCATION
Jamaica's first native Governor-General (GG) was Clifford Campbell, a former Member of the House of Representatives for Western Westmoreland, who was an educator. He was the headmaster of the Grange Hill Elementary School. Our second Governor-General, Florizel Glasspole, a trade unionist, served as Minister of Education, and always understood the importance of Jamaican children getting the best education possible.
Our country's current GG is a Mico graduate, a former headmaster and Minister of Education. On February 15, he will be succeeded by Professor Kenneth Hall, who holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in history. All four men have several things in common. They have all served their country at levels of national importance and, perhaps most importantly, had the capacity to make significant contributions to the academic education of the Jamaican people.
Kenneth Hall is our first Governor-General who does not come from the political landscape of Jamaica, and at age 64 might very well be our youngest ever GG. Like Sir Clifford and Sir Howard, he comes from Western Jamaica. We can only look forward to his tenure as one that will make Jamaicans proud whenever he speaks, as was the case with his predecessors.
Speaking of being proud when our leaders speak, haven't you been wondering why the Mayor of Kingston found it necessary to liken the four presidential contenders in the People's National Party to 'jeyes' on Sunday last? Mr. McKenzie must have been around as a child when adults, then, promised to wash out children's mouth with carbolic soap when they cursed or used abusive language.
JEYES
In the same way that a whole generation of Jamaican young people are unaware of cholera, yaws, chink and chigger, so too are they totally ignorant of something called 'jeyes'. Jeyes is an extremely strong disinfectant that was commonly used in days of yore to get rid of the most terrible nastiness and germs. Farmers used it in their pig sties, and if the pit latrine was acting up, it was used to reduce the odour. However, one of the problems with the use of jeyes is that its smell broadcasts its use to neighbours near and far. So your private problems become a public matter.
Desmond McKenzie's comparison, therefore, has some value. If all four contenders for the presidency of the PNP are like jeyes, think about the great disinfecting role they will have on the problems that Jamaica faces. And since we all know that some persons also use it to kill maggots that eat animal flesh, what a pleasure it will be to live in Jamaica without such maggots.
Professor Kenneth Hall, our country's fourth GG, and the PNP's fourth president have a great opportunity to together be the new disinfectors of Jamaica.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
