Dear Editor,

It is a fact that every cause, no matter how silly, has a champion. The latest one making the rounds is this national hero foolishness.

One of the names being bandied about is that of Bob Marley.

All the guy did was sing a couple of songs trying to make a dollar. People loved the songs and the messages therein so he sang some more. Marley has done nothing near that which Rihanna has done for her country, but all of a sudden he is deemed national hero quality? For doing what?

If Marley gets national hero status what of Usain Bolt and the many others who are arguably on the same level?

Another of the names I hear being touted is some fellow named Takyi. Not a living soul today can verify any of the stories, written or otherwise, told about him. How do we know if those stories are actually true?

If Delano Franklin were asked tomorrow to pen two books, one about Michael Manley and the other about Edward Seaga, everyone knows what would be the outcome.

Were Desmond McKenzie asked similarly, we also know how that exercise would turn out.

I have a problem with history because rarely are its authors without agendas.

Now, would a Bob Marley be more deserving of hero status than Manley, who was instrumental in getting rid of the bastard child stigma, or Seaga, who played a major role in us having a National Housing Trust today?

What I find curious are the quarters from which these hero calls emanate.

We don’t hear these people advocating for things that would actually make a tangible difference, for the better, in the lives of their fellow Jamaicans. No calls for less murders, imprisoning of corrupt politicians, reduced bank fees, pothole free and better roads, less traffic accidents, etc.

Their immediate concern is the burning of wigs, clamouring for more national heroes, and apologies from a Queen who is going about her business and couldn’t care less about the myriad problems afflicting ordinary Jamaicans on a daily basis.

I guess this hero business is our version of that infamous “let them eat cake” utterance.

Coretta Burgess

corettaburgess@yahoo.com