Entertainer Christopher Martin performs, to the delight of the audience, at Jamaica's 47th anniversary independence celebrations, hosted by the Embassy of Jamaica at the Hall of the Americas, at the Organization of American States, downtown Washington, DC, on August 9. - Contributed

Silly me for thinking that Jamaica's independence celebrations should be about celebrating the best of Jamaica and our achievements. I also thought it should be a time when we put into perspective our hopes in our quest to create a just society through good governance.

My dears, I am still trying to get an explanation as to why, on the occasion of our 47th independence anniversary, we saw it fit to include in the programme a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. And what was that thing with the motorcycles? Was it a celebration of 'Fudgie'? And for those who obviously do not know, our culture is not confined to the continuing glorification of dancehall, excluding all other forms of our rich and diverse culture. Such diversity has underpinned our national identity and helped to cement our status internationally!

It would have been more representational if the national celebrations had included contributions of the National Dance Theatre Company, Stella Maris Dancers, or any other such recognised ensemble. And what about the national chorale, Jamaican Folk Singers, University Singers and Carifolk Singers? Or, a salute to our founding fathers and freedom fighters; a celebration of our sporting heroes/heroines; literary giants; a tribute to our unsung heroes; fallen soldiers in the last world war; and yes, a salute to our musical greats, including the dancehall genre.

Not only dancehall

Our art and culture should not be quantified and/or represented nationally or internationally as dancehall. That would do great injustice to our people and the contribution of the many who championed the Jamaican identity in prose, music, politics, theatre, sports, culture - the totality of our behaviour, pursuits in the arts, beliefs, institutions, intellectual and artistic expressions and the stimulation and inspiration derived from such pursuits.

In this respect, our role is to bequeath our successors a legacy that will stand the test of time and not cater to the baser instincts present in all of us. And if we keep feeding our people a diet of mediocrity under the guise of responding to the voice of the people, lest we forget, it was the people who, when given a choice of Barabbas or Jesus, opted to take Barabbas. So those entrusted to lead should not follow, as when they do they betray the very trust of the people who entrusted them the mandate to chart their courses. If leaders continue to follow, especially at this critical juncture, our successors will, and should, chastise them severely for their compounded folly.

Institution building

We must seek to build and bequeath institutions to our successors. It is high time we build a worthy pavilion, quadrangle and saluting dais at King's House to facilitate our national ceremonies and celebrations, instead of reverting to the makeshift tents and temporary structures each year.

And National Heroes Park cannot continue in its present mode of season-long decay, only to be 'spruced up' on special occasions. Since we have determined that the Heroes Park is the final resting place of our leaders, heroes and other national figures, it is high time we pay homage to those we inter there rather than trot out well-worn talking points on national occasion, in their names.

The park should, as its name suggests, be a national treasure. In this respect, it should be staffed with its own maintenance crew. It should house a museum of Jamaica's history, with informed tour guides conversant enough to conduct guided tours of the facilities, plying our students, other nationals and visitors with information on our national heroes, symbols, icons and other relevant pieces of our history. The fee charged for the service would go right back to the upkeep of the park.

The same approach should be taken with regard to King's House, as it, too, is a national treasure, intertwined with our history and independence and, unlike Heroes Park, is desperately in need of maintenance and new facilities in keeping with its status of being one of our most visible reflections of colonial heritage and centrepiece in national celebrations and commemorations.

We cannot continue marking our significant holidays in the same manner each year. The entire episode smacks of play-acting instead of the maturing nation we are trying to nurture. We need to arrest this state of stagnation before it becomes terminal. We are living in trying times, but must we continue to sacrifice and ignore standards too? Little wonder, then, that a young girl from one of our inner-city enclaves questioned if Lady B was a dancehall act, on the news of her passing.

And in the face of the absence of positive reinforcing messages attesting to the greatness of Lady B in her contribution to our independence and other struggles, who could really blame her innocent query?

The challenge now must be to right wrongs in our attempt to move forward, not continue to major in the minor in the hope of maintaining cheap popularity. The time to move forward is now, and what better place to start than by arresting the vitriolic turpitude sometimes sponsored and promoted at the highest level? This breeds further mediocrity and then passes off as cultural expression as the voice of the people.

BIRTHDAYS

( L - R ) Robert Thompson, Norma Harrack, Mark Shields

Happy birthday wishes to Honorary Consul of Switzerland Ueli Bangerter, who celebrates his birthday today, with the partying to commemorate the occasion all set for later with an expected fab do. Social writer Nicola Cunningham- Williams celebrates her birthday tomorrow, August 15. Belated wishes to Vinay Walia who celebrated his special day on Wednesday. Retiring DCP Mark Shields celebrated yesterday.

Belated greetings

Belated greetings to Anglican Bishop Father Robert Thompson and ceramist extraordinaire Norma Harrack, who both celebrated their birthdays last Saturday, August 8. Hotelier Jerome Miller will celebrate his birthday on Sunday the 16th. The celebrations, however, will be in the Turks and Caicos. Both Yasmin Spiro and Colette Garrick will celebrate on Monday the 17th.

The charmingly lovely Nicola Byron, the lovely Keisha Guscott and the fabulous Alani Johnson will all celebrate on Tuesday the 18th. Alex Hill celebrates a special milestone on Wednesday. The partying will be in San Antonio, Texas. Thursday the 20th has been declared a 'public holiday' by friends of grande dame Marilyn Bennett, in honour of her birthday! And next Friday, the party hearty all head for New York to celebrate with David 'Squeeze' Annakie, for his birthday smasheroni in the Big Apple. Also celebrating her birthday next Friday is the lovely Dawn Smikle.

Many happy returns to y'all with champagne toasts and beluga treats!

And congratulations are extended to Donovan Brown on his election to the presidency of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North.