10 things to celebrate about Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dear Editor:

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller evokes strong reaction among detractors and supporters alike. Please allow me to share with you 10 reasons that I believe she is worthy of not just admiration but emulation.

1. She is authentic

The prime minister's lack of pretentions is disarming. She has chosen to be real to others, even in her weaknesses, and has earned the trust of many as a result.

2. She is modest

She is not showy and overdone, and her dress is becoming and age-appropriate. In an age where women well into their middle-age have taken to baring their breasts for the whole world to look at, and otherwise peddle sexuality, Mrs Simpson Miller's attire is a study in modesty and decorum without being dowdy or frumpy.

3. She is tough

From the time she entered politics in 1976, her career has been a demonstration of focus, determination and resilience. She truly represents the finest tradition of guts and spunk, taking on opposition inside her party and out and giving as good as she got -- and better.

4. She is empathetic

Her desire to reach out and hug the scruffiest child in a crowd is real. Her own background clearly allows her to put herself in the place of those who she knows is suffering. With adequate resources and smart policy guidance, she is well-placed to effectively address the needs of the most vulnerable.

5. She values intuition/common sense/native wisdom

In an objective world, the place of these "other ways of knowing", is often questioned. As a 21st century leader, Mrs Simpson Miller stands out for her easy acceptance of these "other ways". She does not decry one over the other, but consciously or unconsciously, embraces these different modes. To those who feel that there is value in all ways, this is clearly the right thing to do.

6. She accepts her shortcomings

Her matter-of-fact admission recently that she does not have "the gift of gab" and her expression of personal growth, point to someone who has had a difficult conversation with self and has come out the better for it.

7. She believes in the masses

While too many people seem to have a negative perception of Jamaica's poor and dispossessed for no other reason than the reality of their condition, the prime minister clearly does not. She is neither condescending nor dismissive, choosing instead to treat everyone as equal and to give to each the same respect.

8. She understands Jamaica

Although she is derided by some for a lack of "book learning", the prime minister understands well the soul of Jamaica, the complex dynamics of the society and the place of such variables as race, class, gender and culture. It is this understanding that has allowed her to persevere even when the odds seem stacked against her and ultimately, reach the pinnacle of her career.

9. She respects her heritage

At the level of the grand Jamaican heritage and that of the personal, Mrs Simpson Miller clearly respects the forces that have shaped who she is. She does not seek to escape any of it but embraces it all as something to be proud of.

10. She is an inspirational figure.

The prime minister's rise from humble beginnings to the seat of power is heartwarming. She has defied poverty, racism, classism and sexism to succeed in the cut-throat world of politics. No matter how you cut it, there is much in who she is and what she has accomplished that is worthy of admiration and dare I say, emulation.

Grace Virtue, PhD

Washington, DC

Gvirtue@usa.net

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10 things to celebrate about Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller