“As long as this party is in power, we intend to walk through the world on our feet and not on our knees…” There was a time when regardless of whatever shortcomings they might have had, Jamaican Prime Ministers / Premiers, certainly did not lack a spine. They stood for something even if it ran the risk of “upsetting” other more powerful states. From our stance against apartheid to our friendship with Cuba to our advocacy for nations of the Global South, we stood brave and tall… If you asked any of them why they did it, from Premier Norman Manley, Prime Minister Bustamante, right back to Prime Ministers Bruce Golding & Portia Simpson they would tell you that it was a matter of principle. It would be nice if we had such leadership at the helm again. Leadership that had courage and a moral compass. Michael Manley would never have stood by and remained silent on what is happening in Palestine and the Congo and Sudan etc. He’d never had avoided a vote in the UN, he’d have been very vocal in calling out Israeli actions for what it is; Genocide. I dare say that the brewing situation between Guyana & Venezuela right now would have seen him in the middle of it trying to broker a fair agreement between the two nations and what’s more, he’d have had the credibility to do this. Today marks the anniversary of the birth of a man of principle… Michael Norman Manley would have been 99 today. HAIL THE MAN!!! The word is love Comrade Leader! ✊🏾
