Removing British colonial place names in Jamaica would be tedious - historian

 

Historian and UK based Jamaican journalist Dr. Michael Siva says removing British colonial place names on the island would be a tedious task to undertake.

 

He was responding to the results of the latest RJRGLEANER Don Anderson polls which show that of the 1,010 people surveyed, 50 per cent are opposed to removing past British/colonial names from important places.

 

Another 36 per cent of those polled say there in support of the move while 14 per cent expressed uncertainty.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, Dr. Siva said the choice to change British colonial names of important streets and townships or settlements should only be considered if there is an overwhelming desire for change by the people.

 

He said the decision to change names should be given to people living within the areas in question. 

 

"What we really need to look at are the populations within the individual areas. Barnett Street in Montego Bay. That's named after Barnett Estate, which was a plantation owner in the heyday of British sugar and slavery. I think that's really a decision for the people of Montego Bay. Do the people of Montego Bay feel that that place name should be changed, or are they so disconnected from Barnett Estate in the past that they no longer associate Barnett Street with the plantation? Similarly, Discovery Bay in St. Ann. Do the local populations feel that those names need to be changed?" he questioned.

 

He noted that the numbers do not indicate an overwhelming want for renaming.

 

Meanwhile, 35 per cent of those polled believe Jamaica should do away with British names of important townships or settlements, 50 per cent are opposed to the move and 15 per cent say they are unsure.

 

Similarly, 35 per cent of respondents are in favour of changing British names associated with important streets, while 48 per cent of respondents are opposed. Seventeen per cent expressed uncertainty.