PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Silver trim added to the colours of the Jamaican flag used in decorating sections of this parish has irked Councillor Wayne McKenzie (People’s National Party, Prospect Division). He commented on the colour mix during his address to the handful of attendees who turned out for Sunday night’s Emancipation Vigil at Neville Antonio Park in Port Antonio.

“Once I see black, green and gold I don’t want to see nothing with it. I am not happy in seeing it; and it has nothing to do with politics. I think once we have the national flag nothing is to be added to the flag. I have that reverence, and therefore I want to say it openly that I am not pleased with that additional colour, the silver, to the flag,” he said.

In some cases the silver was added to the colours used to create an X on a black backdrop. In others seen at a popular bank, it sandwiched the colours of the flag draped artfully to create a sail-like structure.

There have been concerns raised in the past about the need to respect the country’s national symbols and to keep partisan politics — in the form of party colours — at bay during events of national importance. Silver is not associated with any political party in Jamaica.

There has also been concern that the colour yellow is often used to replace gold in the flag. The gold cross, which symbolises natural beauty and sunlight, frames four triangles to make up the Jamaican flag. The triangles at the top and bottom are green, symbolising hope and agricultural resources, while the two black ones represent the strength and creativity of the people.

The Jamaican flag was unfurled and hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 5, 1962. It was done as the British flag was being lowered, signalling the dawn of Jamaica’s political independence from Britain after more than 300 years under its rule.