http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/html/20080819T210000-0500_139229_OBS_OH_TO_BE_YOUNG__GIFTED_AND_BLACK.aspOh to be young, gifted and black Wednesday, August 20, 2008
We are absolutely dumbfounded by the uncomplimentary spin that some sections of the international community have begun to put on what, from our perspective, reflects the playful, confident and charming side of young Mr Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man.
According to the detractors, the congratulatory slap of the chest that Mr Bolt gave himself and the fact that he looked around at his competitors just before crossing the finish line on Saturday were unsportsmanlike and disrespectful of the spirit of the games.
He should have waited, they say, until he crossed the finish line before congratulating himself.
Why? we ask.
Given the length by which Mr Bolt trumped his competition, he was certainly within his rights.
And the magnitude of his achievement - breaking his own record of 9.72 seconds to set a new Olympic and World record of 9.69 seconds - certainly demanded celebration.
But whether they realise it or not, the thing that is really hurting Mr Bolt's detractors is what we here in Jamaica call plain old 'bad mind'.
Yes, jealousy, envy, covetousness, the entire gamut of sinful emotions that rear their ugly heads in people who see others accomplish - with obvious and consummate ease - what they would so badly love to achieve themselves, but can only dream of, are behind this diseased opinion. For if he had punched the air in personal triumph before crossing the finish line in last position, long after everyone had finished the race, nobody would be complaining.
In fact, many of those complaining about Mr Bolt's exuberance now - including Mr Ato Boldon, who himself indulged in his own bit of showboating when he was competitive - were silent when, in previous years, American sprinters celebrated their victories in almost similar style at the Olympics.
But the glorious fact is that Mr Bolt won - handsomely - with consummate ease while his opponents struggled. He had time to cruise across the finish line in style - justifiably proud style - giving the cameras a truly attractive champion shot which embodied the spirit of the late great Dr Nina Simone's song, Young, Gifted And Black.
That's a signature shot that will give generations of young Jamaicans and indeed Caribbean nationals an image of black pride for years to come.
Mr Bolt will be remembered for his record-breaking speed.
Just as important, he'll be remembered for his unique identity and his vivacious personality to which we are indebted for the marvellous mix of sports and entertainment which the Olympics is about.
Anyone with the simplest working knowledge of the history of slavery will understand the importance that issues of identity hold for people like Jamaicans whose ancestors were robbed of it by colonialists who worked so hard to dehumanise generations of other races in order to justify their ruthless and immoral acts of domination.
And they'll be offended by the notion that Mr Bolt's displays of personality are offensive.
Because they're not.
They simply point to the fact that Mr Bolt is on top of his game, enjoying fine form courtesy of years of hard work and God-given talent and, as every proud black person who knows themselves should be doing right now, rightfully revelling in the moment.
