THE EDITOR, Sir:
THIS IS an open letter to Prime Minister P.J Patterson:
Sir, you are not afraid to review, revise or rethink your position on matters of historical importance in the interest of cultural and national development.
Indeed, your recent speech at Jencare, lamenting the lingering legacy of class and ethnic discrimination, 42 years after Independence is incontrovertible evidence of your readiness to tackle issues deemed out of bounds by some influentials in our society.
It is against this background that I ask you to rethink government's position concerning the interment of Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd in that pantheon of the celebrated, viz., National Heroes Park.
It is a distinction the late, great musical icon has earned for pioneering planetary acceptance of Jamaican jazz, known as ska, rock steady, arguably the greatest pop rhythm in the world, and reggae, the brand name for contemporary Jamaica.
Mr. Prime Minister, I would also urge you to use your office to prevent historical amnesia infecting present and future generations of Jamaica by issuing commemorative stamps in honour of the entrepreneurial and cultural genius of Studio One Boulevard-Clement 'Sir Coxsone Dodd.'
I am, etc.,
CECILE MACMILLAN
24 Rousseau Road
Kingston 5
