The article “Homecoming”, tells us on August 6th, 2006 , the bodies of Miss Lou and Maas Eric returned to Jamaica from Canada. Miss Lou passed away on July 26th while her husband passed away in 2002. Their bodies were interred at the National Heroes Park. The uncrowned cultural queen of Jamaica. That is how the Staff reporter put it. And he was right. She is loved, respected, culturally a leader, but till then, uncrowned.
THis homecoming was typical of Miss Lou because she never stayed too far from home. As the post on the Hon Louise Bennett-Coverley..The next National Hero tells us she went over the world always returning to Jamaica until she made Canada her resting place. As the scriptures tell us a prophet has a hard time receiving honour in his own home. So it was with Miss Lou and as she gained fame abroad so we came to understand how important the work she was doing really was.
The idea of a cultural icon is a new one to us Jamaicans. We know about those who fight the oppressor with swords and knives , even words. But this is a new kind of words where Miss Lou builds on our own words and makes us proud to use them. Like Nanny she recalls the strengths of her ancestors reveling in the strength that gives us till today the power over the oppressor.
Culture is the way we talk the way we walk, eat, dance and live our life. It’s the good and the bad of our daily existence. It’s always with us, changing as time goes by but still being the same.
Every people have their own language. They speak their own tongue why not us. Her proverbs tell us the truth as we lean back and laugh a good belly laugh. Her homecoming is an awakening.
Miss Lou for our next national hero is a reality. Click here and vote and tell everyone else about it.