P. Chin in his letter to the Observer titled “What have they done for us lately if ever” opined on the conferees for national honour awards this year, particularly awarding the OM to Don Harris and the CD to Rev Al Miller. I confess that when I saw Don Harris atop the 2021 Awards list my reaction was Don Who? I figured I ought to at least recognize an O.M.
So I guess I concur with Chin’s concern about cheapening the National awards … though I disagree with his characterization of the Al Miller selection. He does mention however, logic I myself questioned on giving an award to someone with ‘past convictions’ although for me that impugns awarders not awardee. (I assume the award was given for convictions Rev. Miller still presently holds and his past actions on account of them).
Not personally heavily invested in any national institution still aligned with the British Monarchy (I have never even registered to vote) I normally would not even pass comment on these expected idiosyncrasies from a nation still unable to recognize itself in The Mirror, but whether because of Don or Al or both, I wryly reflected and posted brief comment on Norman Manley who refused the knighthood having honour in himself and recognizing venal cooption for what it was.
In that the Observer felt my comment either too frivolous or inflammatory to print, I’m content to record it here.
Without commitment to truth, the value of honour, like the price of a whore is subject to the calculus of whim.
YeKengalé 