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Prof.
Ralston 'Rex' Nettleford
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St. Kitts and Nevis Prime
Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas joined with many in the
region by paying a glowing tribute to the recently departed
Jamaican academician, Professor Ralston 'Rex' Nettleford.
The Caribbean scholar's untimely passing at 76 years
of age occurred at George Washington Hospital in Washington
D.C. on Feb. 2, due to complications from a massive
heart attack suffered on Jan. 27.
As part of a written
statement released on Jan. 5, Dr. Douglas extolled
the legacy left by the cultural icon by positing:
"Most important of all, however, were Rex Nettleford's
commitment to the pursuit of excellence in all that
he did; his determination to help us see and understand
and appreciate Caribbean history from our own perspective;
and in the process, his having helped us to better
understand not only who and what we are, but, just
as importantly, who and what we can be. May the soul
of this extraordinary human being rest in peace."
The prime minister
further praised Professor Nettleford's "rare
and expansive intellect" and his understanding
of the role that the arts played in the development
of the human soul. Nettleford was known around the
world as the co-founder of the National Dance Theater
Company in Jamaica just after the country gained its
independence from Britain in 1962. He headed the organization
for nearly 50 years.
Also noted in Dr.
Douglas' statement was the celebrated rise from a
humble birth in colonial Jamaica to graduate school
at Oxford University on the way to becoming a valued
advisor to multilateral agencies such as the United
Nations.
The Jamaican government
has announced an official burial to take place on
Tuesday, Feb. 16 at University of the West Indies'
(UWI) Mona Campus in the University Chapel. It is
estimated that upwards of 2,000 persons can be accommodated
at the funeral. Planners have indicated that tents
will be set up outside of the chapel to help handle
the many guests expected to attend.
The Jamaican House
of Representatives is scheduled to hold a session
of tribute on Feb. 16, which will feature panegyrics
from former Prime Ministers Edward Seaga and P.J.
Patterson, in addition to Sir Shridath Ramphal, former
UWI Chancellor, and current Chancellor, Sir George
Alleyne.
Patterson was quoted
as saying, in part, "Professor Nettleford was
a unique soul with a brilliant mind and an unparalleled
commitment to Jamaica and the Caribbean." Joining
in the encomiums, Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh
Sharma called Nettleford "a true son of Jamaica
and of the Caribbean region."
Remarking on a snippet
of Professor Nettleford's expressed sapience, Dr.
Douglas said, "Indeed, a favorite saying of his
was: 'Disregarding one's history is like driving a
car without checking the rear-view mirror' - a gem
of wisdom that the entire Caribbean should forever
take to heart."
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