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Seaga as a black nationalist
published: Sunday | April 30, 2006
Ian Boyne, Contributor
NO POLITICAL leader in the history of Jamaica has done more to advance the culture of black people than Edward Phillip George Seaga.
That the Institute of Jamaica will tomorrow induct him as a Fellow is not only fitting, but overdue.
On the eve of this important induction it is appropriate to assess and celebrate Edward Seaga's contribution to Jamaica's culture and its African retentions. Perhaps now that he is out of the political fray, we can evaluate him more dispassionately and with a greater degree of analytical incisiveness. (For the record, I state that while he was Opposition Leader I wrote several articles blowing the whistle on those who were demonising him and pointing to his strengths.)
If you look at the sheer record of cultural institutions established and initiatives taken to promote Jamaican culture, no Jamaican political leader equals his record of achievements. Just do the math. But Seaga's contribution to Jamaican culture goes way beyond the statistics. I say boldly that if we see race outside the narrow confines of pigmentation and ethnicity, then Eddie Seaga's credentials as a black nationalist are unchangeable.
There are the cynics, of course, who say that Seaga merely exploited Jamaican culture; that he had and has no real interest in the Jamaican masses; it was only that he found them serviceable in his unquenchable thirst for power and Messianism. The cynics say that he learnt the people's culture in order to "fool them up" and dominate them. He went to live on Salt Lane so he could understand the people and win their affection on his way to winning the West Kingston seat.
CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE
Any idiot can question a person's motives. Cynicism can be the trademark of the intellectually indolent. Talk to cultural nationalist Professor Rex Nettleford, the country's most esteemed cultural scholar and one of the most distinguished intellectuals of the developing world (and no Labourite!) about the contribution of Edward Seaga to Jamaican culture.
The demonisation of Edward Seaga, plus his own personality weaknesses and many blunders, have blinkered many persons to his enormous passion for the culture of Africa and Jamaica. Contrary to the perception of many, Seaga is no elitist. It was an unforgivable load of propaganda and mischief to say he despised black people. That 'black Scandal Bag' propaganda which was effectively used against him was a tragic and most regrettable part of our history, for which he should receive a full apology, however belatedly.
Edward Seaga has more respect and regard for black people than many of his political opponents. He understands black people far more than many black people understand themselves and certainly more than most politicians.
When black people's African-based religions were despised and demonised, Edward Seaga documented and celebrated them. In a Christian fundamentalist country heavily influenced by Euro-American conservative Christianity, he was bold enough to have a revival table at Jamaica House, leading to the charge that he had brought obeah to the centre of power and had invoked God's wrath upon Jamaica.
He had a respect for and an appreciation of Afro-Jamaican religions which has not been shared by many of those who dared to question his respect for black people. Not to mention his sophisticated grasp of the power and meaning of religious symbolism in people's lives. He has never displayed the arrogant contempt for religious rituals, particular of an African variety, so common among so-called enlightened white scholars.
PROMOTING CULTURE
His promotion of Jamaica Festival as well as the establishment of a week-long celebration of Jamaican heritage, National Heritage Week, culminating in a National Heroes Day shows the depth of the commitment he has had toward the promotion of Jamaican culture. In 1967, he established the Jamaica Journal to document, celebrate and eulogise Jamaican culture.
It was he who brought back the remains of the world-renowned Jamaican black nationalist and Pan-Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and it was he who created Jamaica's highest national awards, that of National Hero; making Garvey our first National Hero. This is the same man who was said not to like black people.
For a leader who was not 'born ya', he has done more to advance the cultural interests and heritage of black Jamaicans than every other 'born ya' political leader in this country. The creation of Things Jamaican to market the craft of our people; the establishment of the Cultural Training Centre, where the range and variety of art forms found full expression and where young minds could be moulded, are signal achievements.
PUTTING JAMAICA ON THE MAP
The most famous Jamaican in the world is Bob Marley. It is reggae music which has put Jamaica on the map. It is not our business class, or our intellectuals or assorted professionals and money people from uptown. It is the cultural products of poor, inner-city people which put Jamaica on the map and which uptown now has to 'sponge' on to sell the country. But it was this man Edward Seaga who after listening to the music of the poor and oppressed black people downtown, who called the 'Chiny Man' Byron Lee from uptown and took him downtown to catch the real rhythm of the people.
Byron Lee was inspired to create Jamaica ska for Jamaica's Independence. Seaga was astute enough to realise that the ska, known as the blue beat in England, had no Jamaican identity or brand and so Jamaica was put on to ska as a marketing strategy.
Seaga organised to have Jamaican music promoted in the United States. But he also did something else: He encouraged Byron Lee to take ska uptown - and Byron did. The rest is history. It has always been Seaga's dream to bring uptown and downtown together, creating One Jamaica.
OWN RECORD LABEL
Seaga had his own record label before he even entered politics and was a pioneer of the Jamaican recording industry.
While a former Fellow of the Institute, the highly accomplished Edna Manley, had taken on African art and was herself a lover of indigenous culture, Seaga promoted the work of the grass-roots Revivalist Mallica 'Kapo' Reynolds, Jamaica's noted intuitive artist.
Seaga has always been proud of African culture and its retentions in Jamaica. He has always sought to promote the cultural creativity of the Jamaican people whether it has been in sculpture, painting, music, drama or dance.
Nettleford would be the first to tell you of the enormous support Seaga gave to the National Dance Theatre Company. Don't forget also Seaga's work with people like Ma Lou.
This man was not using culture to build a political base. His contribution has been consistent, credible and convincing.Edward Seaga has had a nuanced, sophisticated and textured understanding of Jamaican culture, unparalleled by any other Jamaican political leader.
Seaga has never really been comfortable with the upper classes. Nor does he give them the kind of deference to which they have been accustomed. This is why, among other things, in the end they pulled their money from him. They have found him arrogant and stubborn because, unlike many black politicians, he has never been awed by their money, status, colour or vaunted sense of achievement.
RESPECTS ORDINARY JAMAICAN
Seaga has always respected the ordinary Jamaican people far more than he has the upper classes. You hear him say over and over that the people who have really brought fame to Jamaica are the people from the inner cities and from rural Jamaica.
One of his most pithy but poignant statements on culture was his preface to the 2002 JLP manifesto: "We must break the past tradition of polarisation of Jamaica politically, socially and culturally into warring tribes, social segments and cultural cliques, setting downtown apart from uptown, urban areas above rural areas, and acceptable against 'unacceptable' cultural forms".
This is why, even contrary to me, Seaga has refused to attack the dancehall, usually offering rationalisations for its excesses.This is why, again contrary to me, he has, in my view, made so many excuses for Tivoli Gardens and other inner-city areas.
Seaga has never subscribed to the superiority of middle-class values. He believes passionately that positive, socially useful values are also found in the working and peasant classes, and that uptown has no monopoly on morality or good tastes.His incessant reference to 'the two Jamaicas' during the 2002 election is memorable.
Said Seaga in that JLP manifesto preface: "There is no reason to hide the enlightened thinking of Marcus Garvey under a barrel of darkness. We must teach it in all our schools. As a people we do not truly know each other, our country or our past. Our relationships are defined by social classes which are perpetually intolerant of each other."
We have never given Seaga his due. I commend the Institute of Jamaica, under the leadership of Vivian Crawford, for honouring this extraordinary Jamaican patriot and nationalist, who - unlike us - chose to be Jamaican, turning his back on what most of us regard as heavenly American citizenship. I say, hail the man!
Ian Boyne is a veteran journalist. Email him at [email protected].
published: Sunday | April 30, 2006
Ian Boyne, Contributor
NO POLITICAL leader in the history of Jamaica has done more to advance the culture of black people than Edward Phillip George Seaga.
That the Institute of Jamaica will tomorrow induct him as a Fellow is not only fitting, but overdue.
On the eve of this important induction it is appropriate to assess and celebrate Edward Seaga's contribution to Jamaica's culture and its African retentions. Perhaps now that he is out of the political fray, we can evaluate him more dispassionately and with a greater degree of analytical incisiveness. (For the record, I state that while he was Opposition Leader I wrote several articles blowing the whistle on those who were demonising him and pointing to his strengths.)
If you look at the sheer record of cultural institutions established and initiatives taken to promote Jamaican culture, no Jamaican political leader equals his record of achievements. Just do the math. But Seaga's contribution to Jamaican culture goes way beyond the statistics. I say boldly that if we see race outside the narrow confines of pigmentation and ethnicity, then Eddie Seaga's credentials as a black nationalist are unchangeable.
There are the cynics, of course, who say that Seaga merely exploited Jamaican culture; that he had and has no real interest in the Jamaican masses; it was only that he found them serviceable in his unquenchable thirst for power and Messianism. The cynics say that he learnt the people's culture in order to "fool them up" and dominate them. He went to live on Salt Lane so he could understand the people and win their affection on his way to winning the West Kingston seat.
CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE
Any idiot can question a person's motives. Cynicism can be the trademark of the intellectually indolent. Talk to cultural nationalist Professor Rex Nettleford, the country's most esteemed cultural scholar and one of the most distinguished intellectuals of the developing world (and no Labourite!) about the contribution of Edward Seaga to Jamaican culture.
The demonisation of Edward Seaga, plus his own personality weaknesses and many blunders, have blinkered many persons to his enormous passion for the culture of Africa and Jamaica. Contrary to the perception of many, Seaga is no elitist. It was an unforgivable load of propaganda and mischief to say he despised black people. That 'black Scandal Bag' propaganda which was effectively used against him was a tragic and most regrettable part of our history, for which he should receive a full apology, however belatedly.
Edward Seaga has more respect and regard for black people than many of his political opponents. He understands black people far more than many black people understand themselves and certainly more than most politicians.
When black people's African-based religions were despised and demonised, Edward Seaga documented and celebrated them. In a Christian fundamentalist country heavily influenced by Euro-American conservative Christianity, he was bold enough to have a revival table at Jamaica House, leading to the charge that he had brought obeah to the centre of power and had invoked God's wrath upon Jamaica.
He had a respect for and an appreciation of Afro-Jamaican religions which has not been shared by many of those who dared to question his respect for black people. Not to mention his sophisticated grasp of the power and meaning of religious symbolism in people's lives. He has never displayed the arrogant contempt for religious rituals, particular of an African variety, so common among so-called enlightened white scholars.
PROMOTING CULTURE
His promotion of Jamaica Festival as well as the establishment of a week-long celebration of Jamaican heritage, National Heritage Week, culminating in a National Heroes Day shows the depth of the commitment he has had toward the promotion of Jamaican culture. In 1967, he established the Jamaica Journal to document, celebrate and eulogise Jamaican culture.
It was he who brought back the remains of the world-renowned Jamaican black nationalist and Pan-Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey, and it was he who created Jamaica's highest national awards, that of National Hero; making Garvey our first National Hero. This is the same man who was said not to like black people.
For a leader who was not 'born ya', he has done more to advance the cultural interests and heritage of black Jamaicans than every other 'born ya' political leader in this country. The creation of Things Jamaican to market the craft of our people; the establishment of the Cultural Training Centre, where the range and variety of art forms found full expression and where young minds could be moulded, are signal achievements.
PUTTING JAMAICA ON THE MAP
The most famous Jamaican in the world is Bob Marley. It is reggae music which has put Jamaica on the map. It is not our business class, or our intellectuals or assorted professionals and money people from uptown. It is the cultural products of poor, inner-city people which put Jamaica on the map and which uptown now has to 'sponge' on to sell the country. But it was this man Edward Seaga who after listening to the music of the poor and oppressed black people downtown, who called the 'Chiny Man' Byron Lee from uptown and took him downtown to catch the real rhythm of the people.
Byron Lee was inspired to create Jamaica ska for Jamaica's Independence. Seaga was astute enough to realise that the ska, known as the blue beat in England, had no Jamaican identity or brand and so Jamaica was put on to ska as a marketing strategy.
Seaga organised to have Jamaican music promoted in the United States. But he also did something else: He encouraged Byron Lee to take ska uptown - and Byron did. The rest is history. It has always been Seaga's dream to bring uptown and downtown together, creating One Jamaica.
OWN RECORD LABEL
Seaga had his own record label before he even entered politics and was a pioneer of the Jamaican recording industry.
While a former Fellow of the Institute, the highly accomplished Edna Manley, had taken on African art and was herself a lover of indigenous culture, Seaga promoted the work of the grass-roots Revivalist Mallica 'Kapo' Reynolds, Jamaica's noted intuitive artist.
Seaga has always been proud of African culture and its retentions in Jamaica. He has always sought to promote the cultural creativity of the Jamaican people whether it has been in sculpture, painting, music, drama or dance.
Nettleford would be the first to tell you of the enormous support Seaga gave to the National Dance Theatre Company. Don't forget also Seaga's work with people like Ma Lou.
This man was not using culture to build a political base. His contribution has been consistent, credible and convincing.Edward Seaga has had a nuanced, sophisticated and textured understanding of Jamaican culture, unparalleled by any other Jamaican political leader.
Seaga has never really been comfortable with the upper classes. Nor does he give them the kind of deference to which they have been accustomed. This is why, among other things, in the end they pulled their money from him. They have found him arrogant and stubborn because, unlike many black politicians, he has never been awed by their money, status, colour or vaunted sense of achievement.
RESPECTS ORDINARY JAMAICAN
Seaga has always respected the ordinary Jamaican people far more than he has the upper classes. You hear him say over and over that the people who have really brought fame to Jamaica are the people from the inner cities and from rural Jamaica.
One of his most pithy but poignant statements on culture was his preface to the 2002 JLP manifesto: "We must break the past tradition of polarisation of Jamaica politically, socially and culturally into warring tribes, social segments and cultural cliques, setting downtown apart from uptown, urban areas above rural areas, and acceptable against 'unacceptable' cultural forms".
This is why, even contrary to me, Seaga has refused to attack the dancehall, usually offering rationalisations for its excesses.This is why, again contrary to me, he has, in my view, made so many excuses for Tivoli Gardens and other inner-city areas.
Seaga has never subscribed to the superiority of middle-class values. He believes passionately that positive, socially useful values are also found in the working and peasant classes, and that uptown has no monopoly on morality or good tastes.His incessant reference to 'the two Jamaicas' during the 2002 election is memorable.
Said Seaga in that JLP manifesto preface: "There is no reason to hide the enlightened thinking of Marcus Garvey under a barrel of darkness. We must teach it in all our schools. As a people we do not truly know each other, our country or our past. Our relationships are defined by social classes which are perpetually intolerant of each other."
We have never given Seaga his due. I commend the Institute of Jamaica, under the leadership of Vivian Crawford, for honouring this extraordinary Jamaican patriot and nationalist, who - unlike us - chose to be Jamaican, turning his back on what most of us regard as heavenly American citizenship. I say, hail the man!
Ian Boyne is a veteran journalist. Email him at [email protected].
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