Miss Louise Bennett-Coverley
The Editor, Sir:
My reaction to the news of Miss Lou's passing was a mixture of sadness, yet celebration. I received the news while at work, sitting in an office shared with many employees, so I tried to remain stoic and dry-eyed but the floodgates opened when someone asked: "Are you okay?"
Poignant memories of Miss Lou jostled for attention in my mind. I remembered Ring Ding, Panto-mime (and inevitably, Maas Ran), and her celebrated visit to the University of the West Indies a few years ago, where I worked.
My personal and proud association with Miss Lou was in the 1980s, when I typeset an Anancy story book for her. It was one of the most challenging jobs I ever undertook because while it was easy to speak the dialect, it was incredibly difficult to type it, accustomed as we are to write mostly 'the Queen's English'. What a lady! What a life well-lived. Gwaan Miss Lou!
I am, etc.,
KARLEEN MORGAN-MULDER
karleen.mulder@tiscali.co.uk
Buckinghamshire, England
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The legacy of Miss Lou shall be a source to rekindle flames around the world. I have been blessed with the privilege of sitting for hours with Miss Lou, and her loving husband, Eric Coverley. Our conversation about life, history, the love of humanity was foremost in discussion. I am indeed grateful for the words of encouragement imparted to me.
Miss Lou has been a tower of strength throughout her life. It is with cherished thoughts that I think of her giving to the nation of Jamaica and the world at large.
Jamaica can be proud that such a noble, valued and precious life was born there. Her life was given for the betterment of Jamaica, in all aspects.
Rest in peace and beauty, Miss Lou. You have done well for Jamaica. You have been of great service to humanity.
I am, etc.,
WINSTON HARDING
winstonh_2005@yahoo.ca
Toronto, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I knew that sooner or later the news that Louise Bennett had passed on would come. It is not news I looked forward to hearing, but we are, after all, human beings and only here for a short time. But oh how she used her time.
To say Aunt Lou was an icon seems almost an understatement. How do you pay homage to a woman who, when the rest of us were trying to be 'British', saw beauty and grace and humour and sass and style in being a black woman from Jamaica who glorified our dialect and celebrated our unique culture and history, even while using her inimitable humour to make fun of our delicate sensibilities.
Louise was art in motion, her life a song that we will keep on singing over and over but only if we care to. So while we grieve at the passing of a legend, let us also celebrate her life and be grateful that we had the great opportunity to share this space in time with this truly remarkable human being. Goodbye, Aunt Lou, thank you for your sense of self and the grace to hold on to your spirit when it would have been so much easier to join the status quo. You have earned your rest but your stories will live on.
I am, etc.,
PAULINE FORD-CAESAR
hailcaesar@mindspring.com
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
To Miss Lou, a person of more than one expression and a true inspiration to Jamaica. You have made Jamaicans proud. May your soul rest in peace.
I am, etc.,
SHAUN
cum_shot46@hotmail.com
New Jersey
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
With the passing of Dr. the Honourable Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverley, I was more than a little saddened and felt like a piece of my past had died.
I was born in 1972. I grew up in the era of black and white television, a single national station and television signing-off each day. In the brief period it was on, I remembered Ring Ding with Miss Lou and Marjorie Whylie. Don't ask me to remember every skit or performance; my memory is poor. do remember is a smile, a robust laugh from a full bosom, the flash of bandanna print lining the flowing skirt and billowing top; for me that was Miss Lou.
The joy that filled me each time the show was on is the joy that left me when I heard the dark news.
I am, etc.,
C. SINCLAIR
sproogie_g@yahoo.com
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Miss Lou had an ever-present smile, a warm and vibrant presence that captivated audiences at home and abroad. She celebrated her love for Jamaica and the Jamaican people through her many poems and pantomimes. Her contribution to Jamaica's literary and performing arts strengthened the Jamaican culture and forced even the stoic British to sit up, pay attention and applaud.
Miss Lou spoke 'the Queen's English' but chose Patois to express and celebrate Jamaica's culture. As a result, we learned about ourselves from Miss Lou and, equally important, learned to laugh at ourselves. Her innate ability to compose poems in the Jamaican dialect and bring her characters like 'Miss Roachy' to life, placed her in a class of her own.
Miss Lou is, without a doubt, Jamaica's most beloved and most impressive cultural figure of the latter half of the 20th century. Walk good, Miss Lou!
I am, etc.,
PATRICK A. GALLIMORE
pagalley@hotmail.com
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Jamaica has lost a great heroine. Miss Lou taught me at a very young age to love my Jamaican language. I made certain as I raised my family that there were books in my home with her poetry and also encouraged my children who were born in the States to speak our Patois.
To the family of Louise Bennett-Coverley, I would like to express my condolences and express to you that she made her mark as a Jamaican citizen.
I am, etc.,
BEVERLEY DUNCAN-GRIFFITHS
Bevgriff0424@yahoo.com
Miramar, Fl
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Jamaica has lost a true icon in the cultural scene. Miss Lou has given Jamaicans and the world at large a taste of who Jamaicans are. We are a strong and proud people. In Miss Lou's own words, "Wi little but wi tallawah!"
I am proud along with many other Jamaicans in my age category to have seen Miss Lou perform live on the popuar TV show, Ring Ding. I will always cherish those memories. She will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her fellow Jamaicans and the world at large. My sincere condolence goes out to her family.
I am, etc.,
BERNADINE DAWKINS
waydensha@yahoo.com
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
When I heard of her death, I felt a sense of personal loss. Miss Lou's passing is a milepost in the passage of time in the history of Jamaica.
Miss Lou has left more than a simple legacy for Jamaicans today and generations of Jamaicans to come. She brought to Jamaica and Jamaicans freedom and independence from the oppression of feelings of inferiority and self loathing. She loved everything about us and told us so every time she opened her mouth. And, we came to love ourselves. She brought us out of the mental bondage imposed by a history of racism and classism.
I believe it is only fitting that Emancipation/Independence celebrations for 2006 should include time set aside to honour and celebrate the life of our cultural emancipator.
I am, etc.,
C.D. LEE
cdlee@barexpress.net
Toronto, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
We Jamaicans at home and the rest of the world will miss one of the greatest persons our country has produced. Walk good, mi love! We love you, Miss Lou.
I am, etc.,
OWEN DONALDSON
ogd40@hotmail.com
Etobicoke, Ontario
Canada
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The Picard family wishes to convey their sincere regret at the passing of one of Jamaica's greatest. She epitomised the motto 'Out of Many, One People', with the acceptance of Patois as a national heritage. Walk good, Miss Lou, you will certainly be missed.
DON M. L. PICARD
don.picard@yahoo.co.uk
Essex, U.K.
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I had the privilege of visiting the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley a few months ago. That was one of the moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. The occasion was to interview her to write a story for an upcoming documentary on her long and illustrious career.
She gave colourful and interesting stories about life in Jamaica as well as about some of our other public figures such as Bob Marley, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, Barbara Gloudon, Oliver Samuels, her husband Eric and some radio personalities.
The occasion really reinforced in me what a great Jamaican lady she is. Walk good, Miss Lou.
I am, etc.,
RADCLIFFE ROBINSON
rrr115@hotmail.com
Toronto, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I certainly remember the TV programme Ring Ding. May her soul rest in peace.
I am, etc.,
AW
wilksap05@yahoo.com
Boston, Massachusetts
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Dr. the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley will be greatly missed because of her contribution to education and the link between Jamaica and the world, to show them that we have an identity and we didn't live in huts on the beach.
Miss Lou is like an aunt that everyone loves being around on any occassion. I think she deserves either a statue in her memory or a place in the National Heroes Park.
I am, etc.,
ANDY McMAHON
compre82@hotmail.com
Mount Salem
Montego Bay
THE EDITOR, Sir:
On behalf of my family and my fellow Jamaicans all around the world, I take this virtual opportunity to salute one of our true pioneers, Miss Lou. She was a remarkable woman, for Jamaican culture, for Jamaican theatre.
She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. We love you Miss Lou. May we carry on your legacy with true Jamaican pride and dignity.
I am, etc.
VERESE VASSELL-BOWEN
amebuffy@hotmail.com
Ontario, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
