JA needs serious introspection, especially in jubilee year

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Dear Editor,

The year 2012 could mark a most critical turning point in the chequered history of Jamaica's development.

One indication of that is the emerging recognition that dedicated commitment to advancement of the people is the raison d'etre of how the country should be organised and run. For this to happen, all of us, especially national policy makers, must learn and understand our history from as far back in time as possible, certainly from the arrival of the Europeans.

Revisiting our history is a search for answers as to why, after all these years, Jamaica has fallen so far short of where we ought to be and can achieve. This small country has been exposed to the most rigorous intellectual prescriptions and theories of social and economic organisation and development. Yet we languish in poverty and social dysfunction while others no better endowed than we are, have done far better. Much of this failure is due to non-attention, or at best, uninformed attention to the historical, psychological and cultural realities of the Jamaican people and society.

Now there seems to be the inkling of a more selfless attention to constructive translation of campaign slogans and logos into fundamental and historically aware plans for development of and by the people. And, as luck would have it, we find ourselves celebrating 50 years of independence, the ushering in of a new administration with a strong dose of youthful vigour and intelligent keenness to serve, and a political party in the process of redefining itself. What better opportunity can there be for the country to engage in in-depth self-examination? Certainly, this is what a thoughtful society would do if we are serious about real development in these difficult times.

Regrettably, the official programme of activities for this Jubilee Year of Independence does not adequately allow for serious introspection. While there appear to be isolated initiatives along these lines - at the University of the West Indies, for instance - there is no coordinated strategy to put this at the heart of the year's observance. The government would be well advised to incorporate them into a revised national programme while leaving some room for the more celebratory song, dance and flag-waving spectacles. Shifting the emphasis in this way might even cost the treasury less and be better value for money in the long term.

H Dale Anderson

hdaleanderson@hotmail.com

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Emergency work disrupts water supply in St Ann

JA needs serious introspection, especially in jubilee year