Photo by Janet Silvera
Twenty-three-year-old Jamaican-born Barrington Irving Jr. (centre), who has set two world records by being the first person of African descent and the youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe, is greeted by his parents, the Rev. Barrington Irving (left), his mother Clover (second left), brothers Christopher and Ricardo.

The Editor, Sir:

Thanks to you and your staff for giving us a taste of history and the achievements of young Mr. Harrington Irvin, native of Jamaica now residing in the United States.

As the youngest and first person of African ancestry to complete a solo flight around the world, it should be inspiring not only to people of African descent, but to all races, especially Jamaicans (whom, of late, are being viewed negatively because of a few).

At the young age of 23, Mr. Irvin has demonstrated what success and greatness are made of. His simple, elegant and profound statement resonates with me: They told me I was too young ... that I didn't have the wisdom, the strength and experience. They told me I would never return home."

Historical accomplishment

Not only did this young man's historical accomplishment cause me to reflect on many similar discouraging stories experienced by many of our children, but it caused me to also reflect on the rewriting of many historical writings.

For example, the brilliant scholarship of Dr. Ivan Van Sertimer They Came Before Columbus, 1976, that caused historians to do a double take as he explained and demonstrated that Africans travelled the seas in ships built and navigated by themselves (see Van Sertimer, p. 52) and were in the Americas before Columbus.

Mr. Irvin's revealing of his loneliness, frustration and state of mind during his journey was truly stirring and takes me back to another great historical person, Matthew Henson, African-American who in 1909, was the first person to reach the North Pole. He too must have experienced emotions similar to Mr. Irvin's.

Mr. Irvin's story ought not to be treated simply as a feel-good story, but it should be told over and over by teachers parents and all concerned about our young people. it is through repetition that facts will be remembered and emulated.

I am, etc:

L. SPENCER-STRACHAN

lufran@mail.infochan.com

55A Lady Musgrave Rd.

Kingston 10