Rep your own school

Look here nuh. I really didn't intend to rouse any rabble or start up any squabble, but I made a post on my Facebook page on Monday that created quite a stir. Yeah, mi rake up one hellava ants nest!

I put forward my view that I can't help looking on with utter dismay, bewilderment and some amount of disdain at those people who attended other secondary schools in Jamaica outside of Kingston College (KC) and Calabar High, but still ended up being decked out in the colours of KC or Calabar for Champs. Why dem dweet?

I seriously can't get why people think it's cute or cool to spend good-good money to gaudily drape themselves in the flags, adorn themselves in the paraphernalia, and hold up the crests and banners for these schools even when they have no direct or indirect connections to the institutions.

They're not past students, parents or members of staff. They're not spouses of, or even remotely related to anybody from Calabar High or Kingston College. So why?

WHERE IS THE LOYALTY?

Oh gosh, man! What about a little loyalty to our school of origination? What's wrong with supporting the place with which you have some historical connection? Why so many of us love to hitch high ride on the popularity bandwagon?

Hear mi nuh, man. I don't care who waan get vex and slay mi. I think it's a clear case of a certain Jamaican affliction that I will call OCWD obsessive compulsive waggonist disorder! And I think it's ugly.

Imagine if some of these people were living in biblical times when Kings Saul and the army of Israel faced the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. With that brand of cheer-for-whoever-look-like-a-winner mentality, they would probably be native Israelites who unashamedly cut dem eye at young David and cheer enthusiastically for the giant Goliath of Gath. And, of course, dem bet woulda buss!

I just wish some of the wagon jumpers would realise that they can actually make their respective alma maters just as prominent by emulating the tangible support and emotional conviction that past students and other stakeholders invest in those top schools. What you think?

Last time I checked, my provocative post got more than a hundred likes. And the thread of debate that it initiated now looks long like lines snaking into the stadium for last week's event. I heartily congratulate all the winners. And I'm particularly proud of the strong, solid showing by my school, Excelsior! box-mi-back@hotmail.com