'National Icon' status a disservice to Miss Lou and Bob Marley, says professor

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

Culture and gender activist Professor Opal Palmer Adisa has described the National Icon status for revered Jamaican greats, Louise Bennett-Coverley and Bob Marley as an injustice to their legacy and impact.

 

Professor Palmer Adisa says for them not to be conferred with the Order of National Hero, dismisses the undeniable global impact of 'Miss Lou' who legitimised Jamaican Creole and Bob Marley who is synonymous with Jamaica's global brand through his music.

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his National Heroes Day address on Monday, stopped short of suggesting that the two be conferred with the country's highest honour, but instead said the new Order of National Icon would be established to honour their contributions.

 

But Professor Palmer Adisa argues that Miss Lou and Bob Marley transcend the parameters of a cultural icon. 

 

"It's an important step but it is not the step. We need to look at and review who are our national heroes, what is the criteria and do Bob Marley and Louise Bennett qualify. Well, I am unequivocally affirming that they do qualify for national heroes because yes, we have cultural icons who inspire us and who spread our cultures. A national hero does more, and I think both Louise Bennett and Bob Marley have done more. 

 

"They not only inspire, they empower, which I think is an important thing - that when we think of Paul Bogle, when we think of Marcus Garvey, when we think of Nanny, there's an empowering feeling and attitude about them that makes us feel like we can do, we can transform our society to be better and more equal," she argued while speaking on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, on Tuesday morning. 

 

Citing the heroine status given to Barbadian born international singer, Rihanna, by the eastern Caribbean island in 2021, Professor Palmer Adisa said the move should trigger a rethinking of what defines a national hero in Jamaica.

 

"Barbados and Mia Mottley have certainly opened the door for us to relook at and examine who we are and how do we want to go forward as we move towards a Republic and defining who we are. The global branding of Jamaica is posited on those two people. Miss Lou was recognised by Google two years ago. Our culture is the foundation of who we are and a national hero, a national heroine comes out of that," she maintained.