What are some of your pet peeves? Some of my own pet peeves are cultural sayings and things that I believe are annoying because of how they become you or you become them. Two pet peeves that I can’t seem to ever run away from are, first, how dates are referenced in Jamaica, for example today’s date of 7/23 is phonetically communicated as “July twenty-three” instead of “July twenty-third” or the “twenty-third of July”, like everywhere else. I don’t know why, but it drives me nuts. The other date-related pet peeve of mine is how many speak of time. Whether past or in the future, we as a people like to reference what we have done and what we will do — “Last year this time I was on the beach in Oracabessa, St Mary.” — lol I know, it’s trivial, but it happens a lot, especially if you’re talking to my mom.
With the year 2020 being as wild as it has been, I can’t help but to be this pet peeve of mine and reminisce on what would have been the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. This would have been the time of preparation, with everyone in high spirits getting ready to watch the Jamaican athletes represent all five million of us, with outstanding sportsmanship and great pride on the world stage. This extends far beyond Jamaicans around the world. The legacy of all our athletes throughout the years is a source of admiration and strength we look forward to celebrating and witnessing during the Summer games that its absence is sure to be missed by all.
Being the woman that I am, I’m going to give in to this pet peeve just this once to illustrate how the Olympics lives on long before or after the games are over. The road each athlete takes is one I, personally, could never do justice . However, I’ll bet that for all Jamaican athletes, their journey began with “Sports Day.” Sports Day begins in school really early for us, I would say the US equivalent of pre-k – if you can walk, you can run. It’s a great form of exercise and learning, and provides the experience of working in teams. Most schools celebrate at least once a year, but the more competitive and older pupils build up from trials to Champs (Jamaica’s March Madnesses) throughout the year. It’s a momentous occasion that is filled with varied emotions, from great jubilation to tears, but not without the spirit of camaraderie for all involved.
For Sports Day, pupils are grouped in teams, we call “houses.” I don’t remember my Pre-K house’s name, but I believe the color was red or yellow – could be white. Not important. My primary school’s house, however, was named “Hummingbird” and violet was the house color. Our school had species of birds for house names; the others were Eagle, Robin and Parrot/Parakeet, with house colors white, orange and green, respectfully. Your house color remains the same throughout your years of attendance and beyond. I’m not entirely sure why pupils don’t change house colors each school year, maybe it’s economical, but personally I think it demonstrates commitment and belonging. Each pupil is given the opportunity to run in heats prior to Sports day and the winners of the heats race on Sports day. I did not race on Sports day, but I felt it every year when they/we won. Yes, I was on the winning team in primary school, but when Jamaica as a whole competes, we’re all winners. To be seen in full bloom is truly a magical time that we treasure for a lifetime. Although the summer games are delayed this year, let’s hold on to that winning spirit to continue pushing forward and I’ll see you in Tokyo Summer 2021.