Blacspade: Young, Gifted and Black Part 2

Second of a seven-part series.

Blacspade left Brown Hall primary at age eleven for Tacius Golding high – a school named after a politician from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) camp.

Golding was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1949 where he served continually until 1972 and was Speaker of The House from 1962 to 1967.

For Blacspade, being in a new environment with hundred of students, brought several challenges. One was dealing with schoolwork and music at the same time.

“Being at Tacius offered very little free time as teachers were always giving homework and recording the grades.”

“Grandpa, grandma, and the rest of the family were expecting me to get the best grades.”

“I was still playing the record changer and listening to the music I loved. This was my first love and I wasn’t prepared to exchange this love for not even my favourite teacher at school.”

“Her name was Miss Russell, my Art and Craft teacher. She was one who exhibits such qualities as love and caring for others; also being committed to making the nation fully educated.”

“These are qualities that motivated students to learn in her class. And I saw myself getting good grades, not only in her class but others.”

Blacspade had also found a new love, cricket and football. But, despite the attention, he would soon realise music was the one thing he needed most of all.

At home, his grandmother taught him about honesty, to be responsible, and that manners could carry him around the world. “So, you don’t have to worry about saving up to send me abroad, grandma?” Blacspade had asked jokingly one day. “Is not everything in life money can buy son, your wise grandma is here to guide you through life.”

She was indeed strict and when she left for Kingston to learn dressmaking, his aunt, who was also strict, ensured that he did well in his schoolwork. His grandfather had a house in Kingston and having graduated from Tacius Golding, Blacspade went to live there.

The journey took him to a new horizon, which included friends who called themselves rastas.

Next: Spacspade and Rastafarianism. Third of a seven-part series.

​(Photo courtesy of Blacspade)

Source: https://www.reggae-vibes.com/news/2023/03/blacspade-young-gifted-and-black-part-2