Norman Manley and Michael Manley
Regarded as the father of an independent Jamaica and eventually declared a National Hero, Norman Manley was like Moses who never sat foot in the promise land as he lost the first Jamaican national election to his cousin Sir Alexander Bustamante. The founder of the People’s National Party, Manley worked tirelessly for Jamaica’s independence and democracy and led negotiations of Jamaica’s independence from Britain, however he was not endeared by the common man; unlike his second son Michael Manley, who combined his father’s intelligence with the charisma of Bustamante. Michael Manley became the fourth prime minister of Jamaica in 1972 and worked to implement several revolutionary programs and laws including the bastard act, which basically outlawed illegitimacy; equal pay for women and maternity leave; the abolition of the Master Servant Act; the introduction of the family court, and adult literacy programs.—Sherman Escoffery