GG Dumps British Ceremonial Medal After Public Backlash

Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen will abandon use of a British ceremonial medal after public outrage claiming the image it bears was offensive.

“Order of St. Michael and St. George”The British insignia the Order of St. Michael and St. George, which is worn by the head of state, depicts a white man – said to be a triumphant archangel - with his foot on the neck of a black man, who is deemed to be Satan.

Late last month, Sir Patrick, who represents the British empire, declared in a statement he would no longer wear the medal. He has also directed his staff to review “all insignias and iconography associated with the Office of The Governor-General that may be considered radicalized or culturally inappropriate.”

MESSAGE

Sir Patrick has also sent a message to the Chancellor of the Order of St. Michael and St. George “requesting a revision of he image used on the medal, and recommending that it be ‘changed to reflect an inclusive image of he shared humanity of all peoples.”

The medal has traditionally been bestowed and worn by governors general across the Commonwealth, who have been knighted by the queen of England.However, the insignia has recently been compared to the killing of George Floyd, the African American man who was killed in the United States by a white police officer who placed a knee on his neck.

The order was founded on April 28, 1818 and  named in honor of two military saints, St. Michael and St George.