It was a pleasure growing up in the 70s. Times were tough, but in hindsight, it was a period of personal and national growth and development.

I grew up hearing the filthy, derogatory, despicable word "bastard." I also recalled that Prime Minister Michael Manley bastardized that term. We no longer use it to describe anyone because no bastard nuh deh again. The move was intended to encourage behavioral, moral, cultural, and social change, and it worked. "No bastard, no deh again, everyone lawful". All children, no matter who they are and where they were from, could claim their ancestors; no more hiding. They can also claim their inheritance.

I was also a recipient of a completely free education from high school to college. Free meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper while we stayed on the college campus. No longer was a good education for the upper-class, the white Jamaicans, or high complexion individuals, but all Jamaicans were given full access to all schools and colleges.

"Rely on ourselves to survive" was a slogan used to empower much youth across Jamaica. They were given a piece of land to farm and help themselves and the economy. But not only worked for farming, but it also gave young people a chance to think outside the box and prepare themselves for life's challenges.

These are three clear achievements I witnessed and acknowledge that Prime Minister Michael Manley brought to…