Edward Seaga -file

Two events stand out in 2007 as milestones - the staging of the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in the West Indies and the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in all British colonies. This was enacted in the British Parliament on March 25, 1807. Both events are of epic significance not only to the people of this region, but across the globe in many relevant areas.

Cricket World Cup is a definitive moment in sports. It has value beyond the display of cricketing skills by the promotion of participating countries, which will benefit the tourist industry of the region and, possibly, could result in some investment inflows. At least, this is the official rationale advanced to justify the enormous cost to the struggling economies of the region. In the case of Jamaica, the cost will somewhat exceed US$100 million (J$6.7 billion) for stadium facilities, an amount which cannot be said to be affordable.

Sabina Park, the citadel of cricket in Jamaica, has been greatly expanded to 30,000 seats, twice its previous capacity and its somewhat dilapidated features and facilities are being upgraded to world cricket standards.

A new stadium has also been built in the western parish of Trelawny, which will be multi-purpose to provide usage, after the CWC, for the staging of other functions. The problem in this case is the relatively small population catchment to draw crowds for sporting events. Cultural events, on the other hand, have more prospects.

Taken together, not too much usage can be expected on an annual basis, which means that there will be an annual recurrent cost to keep the Trelawny multi-purpose facility0 ready for use.

heavy financial pressure

This type of expenditure in these circumstances is not unusual. When a 20,000-seat national stadium was required for the Pan American Games in 1962, it was built despite the heavy financial pressure on the country. When a national arena was required for the Commonwealth Games in 1965, it was built despite heavy financial pressure on the country. Unlike the two cricket stadiums these have proven to be required for regular usage and are justifiable. These are all monuments to these particular momentous events.

What then of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade? Is this not sufficiently justifiable as an epic event to warrant a grandiose monument? Are the implications for marking a culturally historic milestone that mark the cessation of more suffering of a bestial nature in which humans were forced to play the role of beasts of burden and to suffer the same scourge of whippings applicable to animals, not to be dignified as an epic date of history? Is the abolition of the slave trade not to be venerated as being of greater purpose in cleansing the psyche of Afro-Jamaicans of some of the inflicted damage of their unjust history? Is a cricket spectacle of bat and ball of greater status than the commemoration of this historical milestone of justice? Yet, the commemoration of this much vaunted event has been downgraded to a level of concerts and speeches. The funding provided for the fun and games spectacular is 670 times greater than the funds provided to the Bicentennial Committee to commemorate the historic event.

On what basis are reparations to be claimed for the injustice of slavery when in our own regard the mark of the curtailment of slavery will be merely a mix of entertainment and speeches without leaving any monument of commemoration as a reminder?

Perhaps there is a plan to create a monument for posterity. If so let me offer two proposals: one that will cost virtually nothing, but will make an indelible mark on the social development of the nation; the other will be costly, but, as indicated above, cost must not be a factor when faced with a national imperative, especially if the project is financeable.

One of the great stigmas of slavery is the impact that it left as a legacy on the structure of the Jamaican family by destabilising the household; removing the male figures as conjugal partners, encouraging them to procreate with as many females as desired with no responsibility for parenthood, neither social nor financial. In the absence of males, females had to accept responsibility for all aspects of the development of the child, bearing burdens that often were beyond their ability to handle, resigning themselves to rearing children whose lives were robbed of proper training and discipline.

In this mix of the break-up of the nuclear family, the extended family has had to play a larger role, which was often not possible.

greater stability

Bringing greater stability to the family cannot be left to traditional cultural practices. Family stabilisation must be taught from the early years so that children and prospective mothers and fathers will know what is expected of each of them in later life. This can only be done in an academic setting where the school curriculum incorporates issues of family stabilisation: nutrition, child rearing, disciplinary measures, family planning and conjugal relations, among other areas important to the health and welfare of the family.

For too long, efforts to improve the family structure have been left to what experiences the child gains in growing up, which are invariably deficient. Unless this fundamental problem is included in the curriculum for schools, progress, if any, will be slow.

This would be a monument to the determination of the people to make an indelible footprint in the march to reverse this legacy of slavery.

Jamaica is culturally rich, not only in those areas exposed as entertainment, some of which have brought world renown. Within the Institute of Jamaica and the two institutions for which it has statutory responsibility, the National Library and National Gallery, there is a treasure trove of artefacts of cultural heritage, books, natural history, archaeology, biodiversity and ethnic diversity. The institute itself is a revered cultural institution in this region and beyond. So too are the rare collections at the National Library.

The problem is that of a little shop with a great deal of stock, which it cannot display. The problems which cause these treasures to be hidden are space and location. The lower Kingston locations bordering inner-city communities have created apprehensions which create fears of unfriendliness to visitors, to put it delicately. Hence, patronage is low and will remain low until there is relocation.

Jamaica has no national museum even though culture is the strongest area in defining the identity of people and the brand of the country.

Think of a monumental complex with wings dedicated to exhibitions of art, collections of books, historical archives, natural history, archaeology, and ethnic diversity. Think of the rich cultural panorama this could display.

Jamaicans are abysmally ignorant of their own history and cultural roots. Visitors know nothing of these treasures. If cultural heritage is to be a basis for cultural tourism, it has to be set on the substantial platform of a national museum.

Highway 2000 marked the advent of a new millennium; various stadiums and arenas were created for the country to mark new landmarks of national and international events. The bicentennial of theabolition of the slave trade is a definitive date in history, which was a turning point for the future of the people of Jamaica. It defines itself in monumental terms, but where is the monument? A national museum would be that testament.

By packaging this project in segments dealing with each activity area, financing becomes a matter of different interest groups promoting and financing each package.

The time has not passed. It can be done, if there is a will.

Edward Seaga is a former Prime Minister. He is now a distinguished fellow at the UWI. Email: odf@uwimona.edu.jm

On what basis are reparations to be claimed for the injustice of slavery when in our own regard the mark of the curtailment of slavery will be merely a mix of entertainment and speeches?