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Towards the greater good
JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN
Monday, November 02, 2009
Even when we complain how broke we are, the plazas and streets were jammed last Thursday for the Observer's visionary "Fashion's Night Out", giving retailers a welcome boost. Even when we believe we are at our lowest ebb, and look down on downtown, telecoms multinational Digicel announces that it will build a multi-billion world and local headquarters in downtown Kingston. Not to be disregarded, Claro and LIME are also revving up their campaigns and sponsorships.
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| JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN |
We read about our young people in crisis but on Cliff Hughes' Impact last Thursday we heard two bright, clean-cut articulate high school students stating their case for the National Students' Council presidency. Andre Stephens of St Catherine High and Darren Miller of St Jago High could well have been vying to lead an international organisation.
We have big problems, but industry, commerce, culture, sport, and media are all holding their own by holding hands in an encouraging national synergy.
I have to admit that I was one of those idealistic souls who longed for a quiet corner in the world where I could just write and do nothing else. My plan was to start a small business so I would one day achieve enough financial independence to pursue my artistic dreams. But as the years passed, I realised that working with some of the brightest most diligent young Jamaicans to help our clients achieve success, was creativity of the highest order.
To help each other prosper towards increasing profits and creating more employment, to raise standards and to help others understand the power of their abilities, to work even when you are bone-tired and fund worthy causes - this is the mandate that large and small entrepreneurs embrace. Indeed, this is why National Hero Marcus Garvey embarked on several business projects, challenging people of colour not to become "a bum or hobo race".
Legendary Garveyite Frank Gordon, when interviewed for this column some years ago, wanted us to take that important step of sharing the excitement of entrepreneurship with grass-roots Jamaicans. "There is no sub-leadership in communities. This is why there is so much crime," he said. "People are not feeling a part of national development. With tourism growing, we should have more concert halls throughout Jamaica, more performances in parks, more craft-making centres and cottage industries. This once-a-year Festival is not enough to keep our people involved. Look at the employment this would create, so we can stop the constant begging."
Mass Frank should feel a little happier today. There are festivals celebrating everything from curry to "bussu", a pumped-up Denbigh and events like the Shaggy Foundation outreach not only providing employment, but also millions for worthy causes. Thanks to business and government support of the ambitious sporting ventures of visionaries like Marva Bernard of the JNA, Howard Aris and Teddy McCook of the JAAA, and Horace Burrell of the JFF, our young people are dominating the world stage.
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| MINNA ISRAEL... We need greater financial literacy |
We should therefore be careful that we do not allow raw politics to blind us to the positive efforts in the public and private sector to keep Jamaica afloat. One businessman pointed to the mockery that Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton endured when he became enthusiastic about cassava: "So he backed down, and see, now we have to be importing cassava!"
Last week, a fine young man Gary, from the inner city called to tell me his brother, Bob (not real names), had been murdered. Gary said that Bob did a little farming and each Saturday would set up his stall to sell his produce. Bob's only mistake was to be living in a section of a community from whence it was alleged a killer had taken the lives of two men from the other side. Community members decided to avenge their friends' death and Bob, out in the open trying to make an honest living, was an easy target. Another good life snuffed out by no-goods.
When we read such reports, sad to say, we check the address and mentally move on if the victim is not from our neighbourhood or our circle. If Gary had not become a friend of our family, we may have had the same reaction, so inured have we become to news of yet another terrible death. But Gary's brave voice, cracking as he described his grief and shock at seeing his brother's body, brought us to tears.
Gary was bright enough to get a place at a traditional high school, but sometimes had to walk several miles to attend classes on days when bus fare was short. Gary passed his subjects and now works and attends university part-time. He still has to skimp on food but is beloved at his workplace where he is energetic and creative.
Gary has decided to keep his faith and his dignity, fighting off all inclinations for bitterness or revenge. When someone asked him where were the police when his brother was killed, he answered, "They had been patrolling all day but they just can't be everywhere." What a refreshing reply from an inner-city dweller who has seen the shortcomings of some police throughout his life.
In order to keep Gary's dignity and hope alive, we have to promote an environment of productivity and harmony. If he were not supported by mentors, how could he know that he can still see a way in life despite his cruel loss? If he had not had positive experiences with good police, how would he still be able to defend them? This is the vital link between all the stakeholders in our society. This is the reason why the Partnership for Progress first proposed by the PSOJ must never be allowed to become a casualty of narrow partisan politics.
Profit from ethical business, support for honest endeavour, protection of the less fortunate and efficient government are necessary to keep Jamaica up and running. We support the recent call of Bankers Association President Minna Israel for "greater financial literacy" so more of us can understand the symbiotic relationship between individual responsibility, good business and strong government. While we must attend to our respective agendas, we cannot expect lasting outcomes if we do not operate within the context of Jamaica's greater good.
lowriechin@aim.com
www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com
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