Where do we go from here?
I read this in the Observer this morning and it just made me sick! What does Jamaica need to do to get out this sort of shit pit?
I was driving through Barbican square on my way to work on Thursday morning (the day after our recent elections) this week. On both sides of the road were party supporters. On one side were the jubilant PNP supporters waving orange flags and decked out in orange T-shirts, obviously on highs (perhaps from ganja) and thrilled with their party’s victory. On the other side of the road were the supporters of the defeated JLP donning green shirts and jingling bells. Those on the side of the PNP were shouting across the road to the JLP rivals, “Onoo nuh have nuh ambition!” (You all have no ambition!) I had to shake my head in disgust. Why? Well, these people have no work to go to or they would not be gathered on the roadside at this time of day. Another reason why I was disgusted is that these people never learn. They are living in the same condition of poverty that their forefathers were living in 30 to 40 years ago. But, they feel good to jump up on the roadside and support the party of their choice. What did they or their children get out of the last election? A T-shirt perhaps?? Or maybe a ’smalls’ (little money) to ensure a few votes! Sigh.
It seems to me that we need to put this kind of garrison poilitics behind us. The only people who suffer as a result of this type of garrison politics are the folks in the so called ‘inner city’ (a term which I dislike because it stereotypes people….not everyone who lives in these areas are criminals or drug dealers, some decent people live there because of economics.) People like these young girls who were murdered on account of a reprisal are the ones who suffer because of rival party politics.
Our country is still largely a two party one politically, despite the emergence of other new parties like the NDM or NJA.
We have just had general elections and the PNP has been re-elected for a FOURTH term! As bad as that may seem, it is a fact that we cannot change for another five years. Our Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, I must admit made a good victory speech on election night. (You must be wondering what kind of virus has afflicted me, as in a post not too long ago, I accused him of mixing up his orifices and shitting through his mouth!). I think he was made aware, by the close election result that his winning was by no means a salute to his PNP government. He seemed to be resolute to want to stomp out crime in our society. Let’s see what will happen. He pointed out that indeed, he would have preferred a larger margin. His party won 35 of the 60 seats in Parliament, the JLP won the remaining 25. The good thing about this is that we will have a more balanced Parliament. I wonder myself, if the voter turnout (which surprisingly, was at a low of 57% of eligible) had been better if it would have changed the overall result? Anyhow, no need for speculation, it done decide long time.
Whichever party had won this election, I think that their leader would have needed to be cognizant of the fact that both parties need to stretch their hands out to the other and unite for the good of the people and our country at large. Away with the squabble, fuss and violence. It does nothing for our country or our people. It only serves to result in the loss of the lives of many of our yutes! It is NOT the politicians who suffer in all of this. Oh no, they only sit back and get fat and travel around in trendy SUVs!
It is time for the people of this country to wake up to a new dawn. One of unity, in which we can find strength to move forward to build the nation that should EASILY be the gem of the Caribbean. And I say this boastfully and without any blood claat apology or equivocation! Jamaica should be the paradise of the Caribbean, but sadly, we aren’t and in order to achieve this we have a hell of a lot of nation building and work ahead of us. Let’s see what we can do to get the ball rolling. Respec!
October 19th, 2002 at 11:06 pm That’s so wrong. I pray for those victims. Unfortunately, this happens everywhere. How do we stop it?
October 19th, 2002 at 11:16 pm Well, see what happens when I respond too quickly? You HAVE an answer! Doc, you constantly amaze me. I like your way of thinking.
October 22nd, 2002 at 8:14 pm As much as it sounds horrible there, I think it’s worse in my native Guyana, where everything is predicated on whether you’re Afro-Guyanese of Indo-Guyanese. Yes, I mean everything. I pray the politicians can rise above the fray in both our countries. But, I’m a cynic. I doubt it will happen in our lifetime. Too much is at stake.
October 22nd, 2002 at 8:48 pm Ryan, apparently this is also the situation in Trinidad and Tobago also…why the racial division in Caribbean countries??? As if we don’t have enough fuckery to deal with already!!