Patriotism flagging at public buildings

published: Thursday | August 28, 2008

Latoya Grindley, Freelance Writer

Left: A man walks past a flagpole at the Supreme Court building, one of several bare structures in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. Right: An empty flagpole rises towards the sky at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on North Street in Kingston. - Photos by Norman Grindley/Acting Photo Editor

If the Jamaican flag didn't have any significance for many citizens before, it certainly did during the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Yet, while unbridled patriotism and pride drove many Jamaicans to decorate vehicles, houses, handcarts and stalls in the national colours, the Jamaican flag was notably absent at many government buildings.

Checks throughout the Kingston Metropolitan Area showed that very few government agencies had flags hoisted, evident by the preponderance of empty flagpoles on properties.

Poles at the Supreme Court building, St Andrew Parish Library, and Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Office in central Kingston were among several which stood bare.

Flag protocol

Protocol stipulates that the Jamaican flag be raised at 8 a.m. and lowered at sunset. Aside from government buildings, the flag should also be flown at public schools when in session.

Despite the departure from tradition at government edifices, Jamaicans, and even foreigners, sported the national colours and flag with dignity.

Jamaican memorabilia, especially the flags, were definitely in high demand. The streets were transformed into a grand gala of colour as vendors ditched regular fare and peddled flags of every size, some emblazoned with images ranging from Bob Marley to sprint wunderkind, Usain Bolt.

"Mi never see so much flag and people dress in Jamaican colours so yet. Not even when Reggae Boyz make World Cup I see so much flag - is a good feeling, man," said Martin Brown, who donned a black, green and gold T-shirt on the final day of the Olympics.