An honest look at Jamaica

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Monday, January 16, 2012

IN our already tiny country, social media is putting us under the microscope and will herald a new breed of leaders, whether already clean or newly reformed. It's a good thing that Contractor General Greg Christie did not need this kind of scrutiny to do his job well, and so he hastened the process of getting folks to straighten up and fly right.

We are proud that the Trinidad & Tobago Parliament has invited him to share his experiences as they develop their guidelines for the award of contracts.

Those who have never passed a dollar under the table to get anywhere have a simple secret: we were brought up to love honest work and to despise dishonest gain. In circles where graft is a given, we have been burned many times, but are still dismayed every time it happens.

How are we going to nurture a more honest nation? We will have to promote the value of diligence alongside the importance of a good education. This nation was built by Jamaicans who, before they picked up their schoolbooks and headed off to school, hewed wood and drew water. They became accomplished women and men, never shy of heavy lifting and confident in themselves. Capable and honourable people do not stoop to the devious acts of second-rate shysters.

Our leaders need prayer

We have been seeing many prayerful moments with the installation of a new administration. This Thursday, representatives of Government and Opposition will gather at the annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast to ask for God's guidance. Each year as the prime minister -- sometimes JLP, sometimes PNP -- ascends the stage to read, we note that the only constant and enduring presence there is the Holy Bible.

It is a sober reminder that we are all frail humans who must eventually return to our Maker and account for the conduct of our lives. In the United States of America, today is celebrated as the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, a man whose relentless non-violent struggle for equality for people of colour resulted in the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

It is worthwhile to remember MLK's 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' as our leaders make themselves ready, whether for Parliament, the Senate, Cabinet, shadow cabinet or parish council.

"More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of goodwill," wrote Dr King. "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."

He continued: "Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right. Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood."

Thank you, and Happy Birthday, Dr King.

"Out of Many, One People"

I remember well those two occasions when I was privileged to sit in our National Stadium to hear MLK congratulate Jamaica on her oneness, and many years later, to hear Nelson Mandela look at the bouquet of people of every possible shade in the stands and declare, "Today is the happiest day in my life!"

Jamaicans have hybrid strength from the intermingling of various ethnic groups and there is nowhere in the world that enjoys our high level of racial harmony.

So let us vehemently reject Carolyn Cooper's declaration that those of us whose ancestors did not hail from Africa are mere 'minorities'. While I enjoy Carolyn's vigorous style, she is just plain wrong to suggest that we missed the mark with our motto 'Out of Many, One People'.

And what is this crazy accusation of racism in the selection of those featured in the Observer's Page 2? The Gleaner was big enough to publish an apology for this unwarranted attack. If my memory serves me right, Carolyn herself has been carried on Page 2 in one of her beautiful African outfits!

In this Golden Jubilee Year of Jamaica's Independence, we will not countenance any attempt to divide the beautiful people of this blessed land.

Frightening road fatalities

The heart-rending cries of family members and the mangled motor vehicles featured on major newscasts since the beginning of this year are a stark warning to road users. At a meeting chaired by National Road Safety Council convenor Dr Lucien Jones and hosted by Jamaica National's Earl Jarrett, some of the island's leading experts on road safety shared useful information.

Most crashes occur later in the day and on weekends. Motorists should remember that visibility is reduced at night, so they must proceed with caution, especially where there are no street lights. Pedestrians should remember to wear light colours at night so they can be easily seen. Parents and guardians are to ensure that toddlers and young children are accompanied on the road.

The police are stepping up road surveillance this year. Use seatbelts and other safety devices, reduce your speed, don't drink and drive. We understand that in this tightening job market more employers will be checking on road violations. Slow down, take care: don't lose your licence, your job and worst of all, your precious life.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com

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An honest look at Jamaica