Times Two (x2)

Maybe some of you have not observed this apparent obsession about Jamaicans, but

whether you want to believe it or not we have something going for the number two. Now don’t get me wrong because in one instant this number plays quite a negative role in terms of certain things, where it is pinned on to some men (sing in ‘Terror Fabulous’ voice: “Some man a play # 2…”, ). That aside however, economically, politically, socially and even for leisure and pleasure, Jamaicans always pair off somethings, some people or even some places in a consistent manner.

Generally speaking, such obsession seems to make up the everyday existence and perhaps even the way of life of many Jamaicans. This is whether the situation is reality or fantasy, sensible or stupid. Thus, even though it seem to be an abstract concept as presented here, overtime, in some way and somehow, ‘times two’ (‘x2’), has become quite conspicuous and common among us whether in a serious or comical way.

Comically on the silver screen and in comic books and magazines there are Batman and Robin, Lone Ranger and Tonto, Starskey and Hutch, Tom and Jerry, Heckle and Jeckle, ‘Beep-Beep and Wiley E Coyote’ and the list goes on. These are/were all-time favourites.

On the entertainment scene we have Yellow man and Fathead, Lieutenant Stitchie and ‘Jonathan Wolfman’, Rappa Robert & Tippa Lee, Michigan and Smiley, ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘General Saint’ ‘Peter Metro and Zuzu;, ‘Pants & Sonny’, ‘Brigadier Jerry and Natty’

‘Bob and Marcia, ‘Kojack and Lisa’, Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown, Steelie and Clevie, Sly & Robbie, ‘Don Carlos and Gold’ BountyKilla & Beenie man, Joe Lick shot & Jackie Knockshot, ‘Ackee & Saltfish’ (two Japanese ‘DJs’), and even the stage shows ‘Sting’ vs ‘Shock Attack’.

By the way, we cannot ignore the division within the dancehall space where ‘culture’ and ‘slackness’ operate side-by-side where ‘Brigadier Jerry and ‘General Echo’(‘Ranking Slackness’)ruled each topic respectively.

One thing must be noted here regarding ‘pairing’/ ‘doubling’(‘x2’). Even though some people started off as a group of two or a ‘dynamic duo’(as in a Sly and Robbie or a Batman and Robin); or an institution, an organization or some other things started off as an ‘either or’ concept which denotes a quantity of two(whether things, places or choice), after a while there is only one of the two which remains. This is because, in terms of people, for one reason or another situation and circumstances change where people either move on or someone die which effectively left one man standing. Two business entities operating side-by-side for years and one of them started to have bad sales and eventually it has to pull down its shutters. Whether political parties, gangs, social club, business organizations, or any other undertakings started by a group of like-minded people, whether for better or worse, the same “times-two” (‘x2’) concept and pattern occurs and prevails.

So, overtime, not everyone who started these organizations will be remembered by those who benefit from them. Indeed, not even the history books will be kind to some of these pioneers. However, one thing is certain: a small number of these people will surely be remembered, honoured and will always be respected. And guess what? In almost every instance it usually boils down to just two individuals or institutions that are highlighted despite the fact that they all started out with a large number of people, places and things. So even though O.T. Fairclough, Norman Manley and others started the People’s National Party(PNP-1938); and Bustamante, and others started the Jamaica Labour Party(JLP-1943), only these two cousins remained famous for their political activism and head of their respective parties.

Maybe Thus the ‘times-two’ (‘x2’) phenomenon wins out in the end where we have only Norman Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante, and only the PNP and the JLP as the two major political parties in Jamaica. In addition, several artifacts and symbols representing both political parties are quite pervasive then and now. Example: Redstripe & Heineken(beers); fist & ‘V-fingers’, green and orange(colours), bell & broom(artefacts), bell & head(symbols).

The ‘doubling’ or ‘pairing; of many famous and infamous Jamaicans, institutions, products, organizations, various consumer items, among other things, further highlight the ‘times-two’(‘x2’)concept as is being argued here. Examine this list.

Cities: Kingston & Montego Bay, Media houses: Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation(JBC) and Radio Jamaica Rediffusion (RJR). Media Personalities/ Discjockeys: Marie Garth and Neville Willoughby; Barry G and Super Don, Simone Clark-Cooper and Neville Bell

Produce: bun & cheese, Betty & Nestle (condensed milk), ackee & saltfish(national dish), ‘Cafenol’ & ‘Phensic’(tablets/pills which preceded ‘cetamol; & ‘advil’). ‘Hush puppy’ & ‘Bata’(shoes).

Telecommunications network: Digicel& Flow(LIME); Newspapers: Gleaner &Observer Love Advice newspaper articles: Janet Sinclair(Advice to the Lovelorn -Janet Sinclair- ‘The Star’) & ‘Tell Me Pastor’(‘The Star’-currently).

Sports personalities: Arthur Wint & Donald Quarrie, Asafa Powell & Usain Bolt,

Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce & Veronica Campbell-Brown, etc.

‘Cultural icons: Miss Lou & Maas Ron, ‘Oku Onuora & ‘Mutabaruka

Comedians: ‘Ity & Fancy Cat,Apache Chief & Sarge(‘Freeman), Ike and Mike

Bello and Blakka, Slim and Sam, ‘Bim and Bam’. Then we have ‘Sikey & Chin’ ,‘Brer Anancy’ and ‘Big Bwoy’ who were culturally created and which are firmly lodged into our subconscious.

Area dons: Claudie Massop & Buckie Marshall, ‘Dudus & ‘Zekes’, etc.

Then the law of opposites which we all know keep reminding us about two contrasting phenomenon in nature: hot & cold, happy & sad, good and bad, water and fire, fantasy and reality, light & darkness, solid & liquid, heaven & hell, etc.

Two is always the preference

Regardless of how Jamaicans accept, reject or ‘bun out’ the number two for specific purposes and in a particular context, the dominance of the ‘times-two’ policy within the Jamaican society still stands supreme. Indeed, ‘double deals’ and a ‘preferred pair’ promoting and advocating the ‘times two’ mantra will forever be with us. Still, there are/were some brave attempts by some organizations or individuals to emerge on the scene to make themselves more conspicuous and relevant in a bid to be as productive and as competitive as their two dominant business rivals and partners.

Consequently, as an apparent challenge to the ‘two-timers’ several organizations, institutions and individuals sprung up all over the place, to challenge these ‘times-two teams’ head-to-head and toe-to-toe. So, along with the Gleaner and Observer we see the Sunday Herald arriving and departing. Then Claro tried to compete with Digicel and Flow, while the National Democratic Movement(NDM) attempted to be a third political party, even as the PNP & the JLP proved otherwise. With regard to Kingston and Montego Bay, Portmore is on the fast track to become the third city, but for the time being the two dominant cities remain. However, JBC and RJR receive serious challenge where a ‘nest’ of radio stations sprung up across the length and breadth of the island. Despite this fact however, according to some Jamaicans, JBC & RJR are/were the best radio stations to boot.

Even with our irresistibly delicious roast breadfruit which perfectly accompanies our ackee and saltfish, the latter ‘double delights’ is actually our national dish with ‘Sir Breadfruit’ making its presence be felt only occasionally. Fish and bammy are also ‘delicious doubles’.

Liquor wise, Jamaicans just love their Red stripe and Heineken beers, even though a wide variety of other liquors are available at their disposal.

The same thing goes for stouts, because although there was ‘Three-man stout’(and others), it is Guinness and Dragon stouts that are favourites among the majority of Jamaicans. At one point there were also wine favourites like ‘Red label’ and ‘Wincarnis’. ‘Pepsi’ and ‘Coco-cola’ enjoy the same popularity as their stout and beer counterparts, as they catered for the non-alcoholic consumers.

Even though no sensible motorist would mix drinking with driving, the last observation I think I will look at in this ‘times-two’ obsession by Jamaicans is the ‘Benz and the Bimmer’ driving experience. The Mercedes Benz and the BMW, both German made motor vehicles are the gold standard in Jamaica for the ultimate driving machines. Of course there are other great cars that other Jamaicans prefer, but there is just something about the Benz and the ‘Bimmer’ that no one can deny or refuse. Can you?

While the number two is dominant in virtually every aspect of Jamaica’s growth and development over the years, its predecessor (the number one) tend to re-emerge overtime, and become permanent fixture in some areas. Remember the entertainment industry where ‘DJ duos’ usually work together as perfect pairs? Well, after a while fans only see and hear of only one of the two former members. So, we see Yellow man minus ‘Fathead’, Lieutenant Stitchie minus ‘Jonathan Wolfman’, Rappa Robert minus Tippa Lee, Michigan without Smiley, ‘Clint Eastwood’ without ‘General Saint’. We still have ‘Peter Metro but no ‘Zuzu’ and Brigadier Jerry but no ‘Natty’. It seems as if a solo career does wonders for these ‘DJs’ in more ways than one. Nevertheless, ‘times two’ still reigns and rules the roost in an insistent manner.

While a third entity or a third party emerges overtime in its quest to challenge and compete with its two solid rivals, somehow, something always happen, unfortunately which see the gradual exit of these third entities and individuals. The result: Times two remains the popular preference for Jamaicans without some of them even realizing it!