In a strict interpretation of the constitution, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla has rightly ruled that having sworn allegiance to a foreign power, Mr Daryl Vaz was not properly nominated and elected as MP for West Portland. She further fairly and wisely ruled that a by-election be held, a matter that is imprudently being contested by Abe Dabdoub, the defeated contender for the seat and quintessential winner of electoral disputes in the courts.

The ruling is an eminent one as it registers a triumph for the rule of law in holding fast to what some describe as an anachronistic clause in our constitution. The Chief Justice was undoubtedly mindful of this principle when she ruled against Vaz. No one has contested this part of the ruling, and wisely so.

What has been brought to the forefront is the matter of dual citizenship for Jamaicans. Many in the diaspora have become very concerned about this provision in the constitution. They argue that this is an archaic provision that is impatient of review. The world has changed dramatically since 1962, and in the globalised environment in which we live, and with the kind of technology that we have literally at our fingertips, it is untenable for such provisions to have any credence in modern Jamaica.

One cannot say that the response of the diaspora has reached fever-pitched anxiety. But there is an emerging disquiet that does not help the call for greater participation of the diaspora in the affairs of Jamaica. To be sure, most would not be interested in sitting in the Jamaican Parliament because they have no interest in the pursuit of political power. The political implication of this provision in the constitution is not a matter over which many will lose a night's sleep. They have more important things to worry about right now such as surviving in an increasingly hostile economic environment.

What those that show concern are offended about is the level of remittance from Jamaicans abroad that is largely keeping the local economy afloat. Such remittance is larger than the proceeds from bauxite and tourism combined. It is a mainstay of the Jamaican economy. There is something hypocritical about expecting that level of participation in the life of a country and then saying to them that legally they cannot participate in the legislative affairs of the country if they should decide to do so. They should be given such an option to participate, but as things now stand they are constitutionally barred.

Let us be clear that the contribution of the diaspora to Jamaican development is not just about remittances. There are some who have significant investments in the country and who live abroad only because it is convenient for them to do so. In fact, it is fair to say that some are more invested in Jamaica than many who live on the island will ever be. The contribution of many to charitable causes is beyond question. They have chosen to live abroad for various reasons, but hardly, if ever, is that reason because they hate Jamaica.

This point needs to be emphasised more than ever because there are some people living on the "rock" who believe that they are more patriotic than those who have left the country in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. If Jamaica had good governance, had an environment that was hospitable to investment, rewarded those who played by the rules instead of shafting them, believed and practised a politics that was not steeped in tribalism and which promoted progress on the basis of holding a party card instead of on the strength of one's integrity and capacity for hard work, many would see no reason to leave. The anxiety of the many that would leave tomorrow, if given the chance, would be lessened.

So they left in pursuit of a better life, not because they wanted to leave Jamaica, but because Jamaica left them. And it is good that some left instead of staying behind and trying to wring water out of the dry cloth of political chicanery, mendicancy and the growing dissolution of a nation they had grown to love.
And love it they do. One's love for one's country, if that is what patriotism is, is not defined by geographical boundaries. Neither is it diminished by the passage of time. There is a longing on the part of many to return and bring their skills and talents to building their country. But they are fearful for their lives because of the rampant criminality that is plaguing the land. Many are the butt of ridicule and envy when they return. The envy starts at the port of entry where they begin to feel the heavy hand of a predatory government wanting to milk them of the last cent of their hard-earned dollar. They do not feel welcomed and some return to the metropole after a short stay, suffering from adjustment disorders of all descriptions.

What has been disappointing about members of the diaspora is the lack of stridency in demanding change at home. Many are oblivious of the power at their command in forcing the pace of change in Jamaica. There is need for a more proactive advocacy in this regard. The dual citizenship issue may be a good starting point, but they should never cede any ground to the imbecilic thought that they are less patriotic than their fellow Jamaicans. And they must never fail to rise to that nobility that distinguishes true patriots from pretenders of never forgetting the rock from which they have been hewn and the ground from which they have been dug.
stead6655@aol.com

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