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KINGSTON. — The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, is to many one of Jamaica’s unofficial heroes.
His triumphs on a global scale in the sport of track and field are second to none.
His achievements and marketable persona have directly and indirectly led to serious dollars being ushered into the country and without a doubt “Brand Jamaica” has received an invaluable boost because of him.
Therefore, many might assume that such a man would not be subjected to certain forms of prejudice or unfair treatment in his country of birth.
According to the Gleaner, while speaking with Ian Boyne during TVJ’s personality programme Profile on Sunday, the six time Olympic gold medallist recalled how he was left “shocked” by the reactions of neighbours when he moved into an upscale St Andrew apartment complex.
“Especially when I started out. It was more shocking than anything else. That was how I ended up buying my house.”
“I was living in a complex and I had issues with a few of the lighter-skinned people. I used to live near a lawyer and when I moved in, he said to me ‘be careful, they don’t like to see young people strive’.
“When it started happening to me, I had to rush and build my house. A lot of them, because dem go school and work years and years fi reach, and me jus come up and because of sports mi get everything, dem nuh happy.” Bolt also said the “strong bad mind” displayed by some members of Jamaica’s upper class was contrasted by the positive reactions of ordinary Jamaicans. — The Jamaican.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter