Dear Editor,

On my recent trip to Jamaica I sought to offer solutions and to engage with young and upcoming minds to change the political direction of Jamaica along with key stakeholders. I explained that if the older leaders do not make way for younger leaders like President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron, we will see a level of “elitist garrison” taking place in the political spectrum.

My statements were reported in your paper on June 21, 2010 under the caption, “Vote out JLP, PNP old guard”. I could not help but notice that a letter by Abka Fitz-Henley on June 23 cautioned to “be careful what you ask for” because we might get a bunch of more sophisticated con artists and deceivers with an edge. Also, another article was written by Louis Moyston on June 30, “If there is no struggle there is no progress”. The key point I took from Mr Moyston’s article was when he mentioned, “It is clear that Mr Sydial is far removed from the Jamaican context, and he might not have observed the quality of some young politicians in Jamaica today.”

First, Mr Louis Moyston misses the point I was making. Instead of seeing the positives in the youths, he seemed to be alluding to instances of youthful exuberance which could lead to various problems. Was he referring to the youthful Kern Spencer? He further mentioned in his article many seeking a Moses to deliver Jamaica. It is simple: the elders are dying out and they are more prone to be bankrupt of ideas and ideology, and if we are not careful they will be replaced by their children, hence garrisonising the political spectrum. This then creates an elitist political class which is already in existence, resulting in their offspring being clones, and nothing will change. In order for the young to be a part of the solution, it must be an engaging and lengthy process and will require elders to guide at the same time. The young must take back Jamaica and rise to the challenge.

We should not be too fearful of younger

and brighter minds coming through, as many years ago there was a young Michael Manley, a young Edward Seaga and a young Hugh Shearer, so why are we disenfranchising the youths by the old guards?

Abka Fitz-Henley’s recent comment was again very narrow in scope and demonising the young as incompetent and unqualified. However, the same can be said about the elders who have failed to display effective leadership and uphold the rule of law. The streets and communities are crying out for change. They are not happy with the current method of governance. It is highly unlikely that fresh ideas will come from the present leaders. Therefore, instead of seeing the youths as a bunch of more sophisticated con artists and deceivers with an edge, why not see them as “an elite bunch of sophisticated artists and achievers with a positive edge to change a nation”? I will go so far as to say that we as a nation and as a people must have faith and hope in ourselves.

Sylbourne Sydial

Facilitators For a Better Jamaica

London, England

ssydial@ffbj.org