Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Government, by practice, each year selects people from different sectors within the society to honour and recognise for their contribution to the growth and development of the society.
Now, this practice is noteworthy of any government because it does not only help to mobilise and motivate its citizens, but also serves to reinforce the structure of its society as well as promote a particular type of desired behaviour among its citizenry.
That said, one cannot help but to question the criteria used to select honorees in Jamaica in the recent past.
The truth is this national honours and awards ceremony is fast becoming a ‘Doctor Bird Award’ event, and if the Government is not careful, it may very well find that many deserving candidates may soon refuse to accept the award because of its lack of distinction.
The dishing out of the national honours and awards — so it seems these days in comparison to the past — highlights the mediocrity the country has come to accept in all spheres of its governance and for its people. The fact is national honour should always be reserved for the crème de la crème across all sectors of the society. However, this has not been the case, especially in the recent past.
For example, when a dancehall artiste like Rexton “Shabba Ranks” Gordon, can make the Order of Distinction, Commander Class list, one has to wonder, who next — Vybz Kartel?
Now, I have no writ or grouse against Gordon, and I commend him for the clout which has deemed him fit for such an honour in the eyes of the Government. However, I would hasten to ask where is the national recognition or award for that teacher in Joe Hut in Trelawny who has served for over 30 years in that primary school or that doctor who has given yeoman service to the people of the district of Elderslie, or the clergyman in Gimme Me Bit in Clarendon or the farmer in Fat Hog Quarter, in Hanover?
The truth be told, today, many of those being bestowed with national honours, in any progressive democracy, would only receive an honourable mention for their work and contribution, not national honour and award.
Where is Motty Perkins, when wi need him?
Davy Desmond
info@thereadersbureau.com
The Jamaica Government, by practice, each year selects people from different sectors within the society to honour and recognise for their contribution to the growth and development of the society.
Now, this practice is noteworthy of any government because it does not only help to mobilise and motivate its citizens, but also serves to reinforce the structure of its society as well as promote a particular type of desired behaviour among its citizenry.
That said, one cannot help but to question the criteria used to select honorees in Jamaica in the recent past.
The truth is this national honours and awards ceremony is fast becoming a ‘Doctor Bird Award’ event, and if the Government is not careful, it may very well find that many deserving candidates may soon refuse to accept the award because of its lack of distinction.
The dishing out of the national honours and awards — so it seems these days in comparison to the past — highlights the mediocrity the country has come to accept in all spheres of its governance and for its people. The fact is national honour should always be reserved for the crème de la crème across all sectors of the society. However, this has not been the case, especially in the recent past.
For example, when a dancehall artiste like Rexton “Shabba Ranks” Gordon, can make the Order of Distinction, Commander Class list, one has to wonder, who next — Vybz Kartel?
Now, I have no writ or grouse against Gordon, and I commend him for the clout which has deemed him fit for such an honour in the eyes of the Government. However, I would hasten to ask where is the national recognition or award for that teacher in Joe Hut in Trelawny who has served for over 30 years in that primary school or that doctor who has given yeoman service to the people of the district of Elderslie, or the clergyman in Gimme Me Bit in Clarendon or the farmer in Fat Hog Quarter, in Hanover?
The truth be told, today, many of those being bestowed with national honours, in any progressive democracy, would only receive an honourable mention for their work and contribution, not national honour and award.
Where is Motty Perkins, when wi need him?
Davy Desmond
info@thereadersbureau.com