The very strong and assertive anti-monarch sentiments that have gradually taken root in the body politic of our former outpost of Empire over the past many decades since Independence in 1962 clearly account, in large measure, for the lack of outpouring of sympathy in the public space for King Charles III of England since the world received news of his recent diagnosis with cancer following successful surgery to correct an enlarged prostate.

Apart from the obligatory statement of support and well wishes for the sovereign and head of state of Jamaica as expressed by the governor general “on behalf of the people of Jamaica”, there has been deafening silence on the issue from the commentariat and political class and members of the wider society.

The tyranny of distance aside, it is as though our nationality, political views, ideology, and varied cultural affiliations have combined to constrain us from hoping, expressively, for the King’s swift recovery. Yet, it is during times like these that we must, as a predominantly Christian nation, remember the power inherent in unity and join together to show our support.

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, furthermore, is a powerful narrative in and of itself reminding us that even the most powerful, privileged, and radically disruptive are not immune to life’s crushing difficulties.

As a fledgling democracy that suffered the vilest consequences of British slavery and colonialism — still striving daily to make sense of a society that is struggling to find itself on many levels and grasp the idea that we must find our own soil in which to plant our feet if we are to produce at the levels we say we want to — we possess the capacity to rally together to offer sympathy to the current King of England and wish for him a speedy recovery from ill health.

This sophistication of the spirit is nurtured by our sojourn stretching over half a millennium that made possible remarkable discoveries about human possibilities and the wide range of such possibilities and discoveries about the diversity of human endeavours and the unity that can underpin such diversity.

Added to this is the fact that resistance is an indelible part of the Jamaican mosaic. The myth which developed into an ideology of preordained white supremacy has remained under heavy attack by way of resistance from its victims here in Jamaica. This myth has long served to tighten the stranglehold of Europe and its demographic extension across the Atlantic over a powerless, racially denigrated underclass designated throughout history as slaves, colonials, common labourers, the masses, sufferers, and proletariat.

This has been King Charles’ inheritance as head of the British House of Windsor, and it is today under increasing pressure to accede to the demands of a vocal, Caribbean-centric reparation movement for its role in the enterprise of slavery in Jamaica and the wider Commonwealth Caribbean. Complementing this movement in Jamaica, as well, is the move by the current Government to deliver on the overwhelming desire of the Jamaican populace for republic status.

But, despite these naked truths, there is no denying that King Charles, the man, throughout much of his adult life, has acted and behaved exceedingly more than merely a royal figurehead. As the first- born prince of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, he has championed a diversity of worthy causes, including architecture, youth empowerment, and sustainability. The establishment of The Prince’s Trust grew out of his genuine care for the environment, which has positively impacted the lives of thousands of disadvantaged youths in multi-racial Britain.

King Charles’ story does not begin and end with his British royal experience. The man who now sits atop a vulnerable British throne stricken with cancer, with a host of thorny familial problems in train, is also perceived as a serious global thought leader dedicated to using his considerable royal platform for many years to address myriad social issues.

Without a doubt, respect and admiration have deepened since the shocking disclosure of his cancer diagnosis, evidenced by his display of resilience, grace and honesty, which has served to encourage others suffering similar diagnosis to not only seek support but, more importantly, to remain optimistic as part of the healing process.

It is undoubtedly too early to assess King Charles’s efficacy as monarch and his impact on British society, the Commonwealth, and the world. But this should not prevent us, who are genuine products of a process of creolisation through cultural cross-fertilisation, from extending deepest wishes for a speedy recovery to a global leader who happens to be sovereign and head of state of post-colonial Jamaica as we try to face the stubborn constraints of history to make the world a better place.