Dear Editor,

The Jamaican experience in the previous calendar year was nothing short of a melting pot of unprecedented emotions. The perennial tribulations experienced by Jamaicans were briefly interrupted by the unparalleled exploits of our talented athletes, but as magnificent as that was, it was only an ephemeral respite from the hardships. As all of us on the blessed rock join the rest of the world in crossing the threshold into a new year, one cannot help but hope that concomitant with the hopes and expectations that inevitably accompany any new beginning, there will be an unprecedented show of unity.

The truism which states, “United we stand, divided we fall”, must as of now be of much greater significance to the Jamaican people. It must be allowed to permeate every facet of Jamaican existence.

This unity which we most certainly need is by no means out of our collective grasp. It is certainly not wishful thinking. It is very much conceivable and achievable. It would be terrific if our political leaders were to initiate and engender this process of unification. However, Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora must not sit and wait. How we undertake ordinary activities must lay the foundation that will ultimately lead to the facilitation of this extraordinary feat. If we are to survive this new year and its associated challenges, unity is urgently needed, and it must eschew political, economic and social considerations. It must also resist geographical demarcation because if we are to move forward all hands must be on deck. There is certainly no problem that cannot be solved by our collective resolve.

Noel Matherson

noelmatherson@gmail.com