Garth Rattray

During the elation and cele-bration of our record Olympic medal haul, sales of the Jamaican flag soared. Street vendors were darting in and out of traffic selling flags to people left, right and centre. Many drivers proudly adorned their vehicles with one or sometimes three flags of various sizes.

The overt exhibition of national pride was exhilarating and engendered a feeling of camaraderie among our people. However, when I saw several pieces of cloth with a yellow (not gold) diagonal cross, opposing pairs of black and green triangles and some with a variety of extraneous symbols and images printed on them being passed off as 'Jamaican national flags', I was annoyed and peeved because the national flag is the solemn representation of the best that we can be as a people.

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reminds us that our national flag was designed by a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of Representatives. It consists of a gold diagonal cross with four side-by-side triangles. The top and bottom triangles are green and the side triangles are black.

Achievement

Black portrays the strength and creativity of the people; gold, the natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and green, hope and agricultural resources. The symbolism of the colours is: "The sun shineth, the land is green and the people are strong and creative." The JIS goes on to state, "The Jamaica National Flag was first raised on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. It signifies the birth of our nation.

The flag brings to mind memories of past achievements and gives inspiration towards further success. It is flown on many triumphant occasions, showing the pride that Jamaicans have in their country and in the flag itself."

The code for use of our flag is as follows: The Jamaican flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor. It should not be flown or used only for decorative purposes on anything that is for temporary use and is likely to be discarded, except on State occasions. The flag should never be smaller than any other flag flown at the same time. When the flag becomes worn and must be replaced, burn it. Do not place any other flag above or to the right of the Jamaican flag, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions. Do not raise any foreign flag publicly, unless the Jamaican flag is also flown, except at foreign embassies, consulates and missions. The flag shouldn't be draped over vehicles, except on military, police and State occasions."

Triumphant athletes

You can, therefore, imagine my chagrin when I saw cars and buses with flags draped across them and others with 'flags' twirled untidily around their radio antennae. People sporting up to three Jamaican flags on their vehicles were driving across lanes, going through red lights and breaking every conceivable traffic law. Blatant contempt for safety, the law and disrespect for others fly in the face of everything that our national flag represents.

Too many of our people practise indiscipline and selfishness. I was hoping that our Olympic successes that led to the preponderance of our national flag would inspire some modicum of respect for each other and for our country.

While celebrating pride in our triumphant athletes, many contravened the code by displaying the flag wrongly. And, several drivers flagrantly disregarded our laws while 'proudly' flying the national flag - an incongruity of no mean order.

People shouldn't fly our national flag unless they know the code outlining its use and the powerful message that it portrays.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.