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Monday | June 5, 2000
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Now it's Dr. Ossie Harding
Barbara Ellington
He has come a long way since Oxford Street and his Jones Town school. And as we settled in for what would be an interesting chat about life, politics, art and a wide range of topics, the affable Senator quipped, "No bus took me to town, I was born right here."
An only child, Dr. Oswald "Ossie" Harding began school at age three after constantly crying to follow his older cousins in the mornings, "....and I haven't stopped since," he said, in reference to his recent achievement of being the first politician to obtain a doctorate while in Parliament. He got the PhD in Philosophy at the University of the West Indies.
His other degrees are in Anthropology and Law from McGill University in Canada and London School of Economics respectively.
Dr. Harding speaks proudly of his career in the Senate. "A great part of my life's contribution is the 23 consecutive years of service making me the longest serving Senator."
Describing himself as a die-hard Bustamantite, Dr. Harding told Flair he's proud the Senate is no longer viewed as a rubber-stamp institution. "It's where the action takes place - a focal point, it continues to be the watchdog for legislation to protect people's rights".
He is currently Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate and at other times served as president and majority leader. "There's nothing more for me to achieve there," he said.
The PhD came about at a time when all his children are grown and as a continuation of something he had always wanted to do in a structured programme. Completing the degree took three years with gaps in between said the man who admits a love for thinking and ideas.
"I set targets, the mind is like a muscle that when not used, atrophies so I have to force mine to think, remain young and alert," he said.Dr. Harding spends time studying people and the country which he remains loyal to. "We have a rich culture and beautiful climate but some things such as the violence are not pleasant. It starts with parenting," he said.
He explained that we have become accustomed to getting acceptable behaviour or conformity by threatening. "My personal philosophy is that violence begets violence, we cure it with more violence, it escalates and the cycle continues."
He sees the solution as spending more on the general education of the population, getting rid of tribalism, improving the economy through job creation and building bridges to the future. "We must learn to agree to disagree without being disagreeable, it is ironic that for a people so religious we can be so cruel, there is no point talking about 'one love' when we are so tribal."
Dr. Harding who at one time held another view is now totally opposed to capital punishment, "I am not in favour of it now, particularly since our withdrawal from the Optional Protocol; we are taking away people's civil and political rights. The Privy Council option will be gone soon leaving us with a new Caribbean system about which nothing is known. Where is our sovereignty when the United States can force their laws on us. What is the big rush for a Caribbean Court? As a lawyer I am against it," he said with feeling.
On the lighter side, Dr. Harding has established a reputation as someone who knows fine wines, revels in excellent food and appreciates great art. His collection of ceramics from all over the world is enviable and a quick tour of his comfortable home reveals each piece of the Hardingham collection is more fascinating than the last.
He is one of six in the class of collectors of pottery and a member of the International Academy of Ceramics. Pieces by Cecil Baugh hold pride of place and he hopes to pass this on to the nation one day. His teapots are legendary, the bronzed head of Sir Alexander Bustamante is strategically positioned and he declares, "The work of any potter in Jamaica can be seen in my collection."
His other passion is breeding and caring for his Japanese Akito dogs. The huge animals were moulting and the rainy weather was not conducive to photographs but Ake Bono, Sascha and Sakuma are highly intelligent, friendly and time consuming. But the prize-winning beauties are worth it.
Are there any more challenges for the busy father, grandfather, husband, Senator, lawyer...? "I want to write my autobiography so I plan to learn how to write a novel," he said. There are several books in his head including some poetry.
Dr. Harding maintains that persons in public life must have integrity. He said we must not set out to do wrong but understand that people can make mistakes.
"The handiwork of a man will outlive and outlast the nonsense he perpetuates, we must therefore preserve our artefacts for future generations".
Multifaceted Ossie Harding
First employee of Life of Jamaica, serving 11 1/2 years as general counsel and secretary. First resident diplomat in Mexico. First staff member of the Attorney-General's Department to later become Attorney-General. First member of the foreign service ministry to later return as Minister. Longest serving Senator.
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