Dear Editor,

Each day it is becoming blatantly clear how disconnected our politicians are from either the laws or nationally celebrated events in Jamaica.

Since 1969, or 53 years ago, Jamaica has set aside the third Monday of October as National Heroes’ Day. The third Monday is a fixed date closest to October 23 and 24 as these dates mark the martyrdom of George William Gordon and Paul Bogle, respectively, in 1865 at Morant Bay.

Heroes’ Day is also a part of the National Heritage Week observation held annually during the week leading up to the third Monday in October. The occasion has been observed with a national commemorative service, including a theme. For example, in 2021, the theme for Heritage Week was ‘Saluting Our Heroes … Safeguarding Our Legacy’.

It therefore stands that the resolution by the Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding to set aside October 24 and hold a commemorative service to highlight the sacrifice of Paul Bogle et al is redundant and must be deemed a political stunt.

What is needed to enhance the nation’s Heritage Week celebrations is more funding to reinforce the narratives of our heroes through the teaching of civics and history in schools while engaging our children in reflective and critical thinking so as to place our history at the forefront so that informed decisions can be made in the present.

Dudley C McLean II

Mandeville, Manchester

dm15094@gmail.com