“Sid dung old man”

 

My father was a very principled man.  He had the greatest respect for authority and symbols of office.  This generated many a heated discussion with his children as we navigated our rebellious teens and early twenties in the seas of Black Power and Socialism.  One of the rebellious rites in those times, that signaled one’s “consciousness”, was disrespect for the symbols of the status quo.  I recall a time when very few people in Jamaica stood when our National Anthem was being played.  One of the few was my father, who would stand ramrod straight at attention, whilst around him young men were hissing “Sid dung old man” and his daughters were cringing with embarrassment.  Daddy would stay standing until the very last note of the last refrain “Jamaica land we love”.

 

This incident came to mind as I observe the response to two of our star athletes for showing great disrespect as the Jamaican National Anthem was played to millions of people the world over in their honour.    Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake were part of the 4 x 100m Relay team that had just decimated the world record at the World Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea.  On the podium, rather than standing to attention, they parried a series of antics and mimicry, that yes, most of us found very, very disrespectful.  I too am tempted to heap “horror” and “dismay” on them, with very little tolerance for their youthful, testosterone-laden exuberance.

 

However, I remember a time when I did not stand for the anthem and I ask myself “Who am I to judge and condemn”?  I have never achieved what Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake have achieved.  And I have been equally dismissive of our anthem.  With age, that harbinger of wisdom and insight, I have come to understand why my father would stand at attention.  The anthem is not just a dirge-like hymn – it is a mighty, unifying call to Jamaicans to remember who we are and how blessed.

 

I remember the moment when I “got” the national anthem.  I had just completed the facilitation of a workshop with 120 Jamaican primary, secondary and tertiary students.  The atmosphere was brimming with hope, excitement and optimism as these students from all walks of life articulated their vision for Jamaica.  We sang the National Anthem as the end.  When we got to the line “Give us vision lest we perish”, I burst into tears (still standing ramrod straight though).  I got it!  MY national anthem has never meant the same to me.

 

Perhaps instead of teaching our children the words of the National Anthem we should pay more attention to the “why”, the meaning.  Then every Jamaican will be proud to stand, ramrod straight like my father, until the last notes – “Jamaica land we love”.

 

Until then, I accept the apologies tendered by Bolt and Blake, and forgive them, as I forgive myself for all those times when I disrespected the National Anthem.