Celebrating with Usain Bolt…a/k/a Lightning Bolt
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I read Rogge’s comments, like most of us here at home and abroad have. We have also been hearing other voices making reference to Lightning Bolt’s
celebration when he first struck gold along with setting ablaze the world record in a flame that will be burning for a very long time to come. I am compelled
to share my thoughts on the matter.

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> Bolt has made Jamaica, his parents, the Diaspora and the world proud of his tremendous achievement. Great performances like these are seen once
in a lifetime. Unfortunately, Jesse Owens, who Rogge referred to, had to perform during the bitter era of Legal Segregation and the then status quo of
institutional racism. Owens had to behave like a ‘good nigger’ and keep his joy and excitement quiet. He dare not showed how happy or pleased he was,
with himself – after-all, ‘a good nigger’ was submissive and should know his place.
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> But we have ‘Bolted’ from that era a long time ago. We have ‘chanted down Babylon’ and we will do it at least ‘one more time’. We have been
emancipating ourselves from mental slavery. ‘What a Bam Bam’ now that we are free from the shackles of physical and emotional restraints
notwithstanding some challenges yet to be overcome. No one of European ancestry, nor anyone for that matter, has the right to tell a man who
performs under the banner of pride and sacrifices of his entire country & ancestors, to restrain his celebration. Bolt’s celebration therefore can be
seen as a microcosm of the carnival-like and emotionally graphic display of elation that people in our part of the world display in moments like these -
because we know what it means to struggle and overcome against overwhelming odds.

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