Movement of Black Lives Matter has shaken more than one foundation of entrenched racism in Jamaica. This, because the discussion about removing the monuments on the island that refer to slave icons also hit the Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, the Queen's representative on the island-, who, on the occasion of the protests against racism, realized that the insignia that he wears on his chest for about ten years is a fierce insult to the Jamaican people whose ethnic composition is black above the 90% of the population.
After a consecutive chain of twitter where various users began to reproach the use of said insignia, comparing it with the image that traveled the world of the police in the United States suffocating the African-American George Floyd, The Governor General announced a detailed review of the badge and, later, the suspension of its use.
Through a press release, the suspension of the personal use of the insignia of San Miguel and San Jorge was reported, in addition to requesting from his office an "immediate review of all insignia that may be considered racialized or culturally inappropriate".
In the statement issued by The King’s House it was stated that “the Governor General has recognized the concerns raised by citizens about the image of the medal and the growing global rejection of the use of objects that normalize the continued degradation of people of color”.
But, what is the image that generated so much outrage on the networks? The insignia of the "Order of Saint Michael and Saint George" in his image represents a white man, cited as a triumphant archangel, with his foot on the neck of a black man regarded as “Satan”. The badge was slightly modified in 2011, and the color of the black man was changed for a less dark one.
The Governor General also sent a letter to the Chancellor of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George requesting a review of the image used in the medal and recommending that it be “change to reflect an inclusive image of humanity shared by all peoples ”, confirmed the statement.
Who is awarded this distinction? The Order of St Michael and St George is awarded to men and women who hold senior non-military positions representing Great Britain and also the Commonwealth, that is, former territories of the British Empire that today are constituted under this political association of 54 member states.
Jamaica remains a kingdom of the Commonwealth, recognizes the role of the British monarch Elizabeth II as Queen of Jamaica and Head of State. The insignia is worn by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who was decorated by the queen in 2009 as Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Despite formal requests, there has been no official pronouncement from Buckingham Palace.
Facts about the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George:
- Has more than 200 years and the 28 April 1818.
- It is named in honor of two military saints, Saint Michael and Saint George.
- It is awarded to men and women who hold high positions or who perform extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country.
- The order is also awarded for important or loyal service in connection with foreign and Commonwealth affairs.
- It was modified in 2011 changing the shade from dark black to light black.
You can sign here the petition promoted by citizens in Brittany to change the image of the medal that already has more than 18 thousand signatures:
https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-change-the-racist-image-on-the-kcmg-medal
