Today I am an educator because of the many excellent teachers who trained me, beginning with my grandmother, the late Mehetabel Powell, whose private (basic) school I attended at two years of age. Also at the top of the list was my advanced mathematics teacher in high school at Cornwall College, the late Bevil de Bruin, who taught his wards more than calculus, trigonometry and statistics. Mr Dibbs taught wisdom and often ended his remarks to me with the adage, “A word to the wise is sufficient.” Only he would say it in Latin, another of my favourite subjects taught by the beloved Mrs SA Taylor, now deceased. Young Jamaicans are hereby encouraged to heed the biblical advice which says while getting knowledge it is vital to also get understanding. (Please forgive me, Mrs Walden, for splitting my infinitive.) Such understanding can be had only from constantly practising critical thinking, as all Cornwallians were taught to do. True wisdom, however, does not stop at critical thinking but advances to the other biblical injunction to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. All Jamaicans, young and old, must acquire such wisdom merely to survive in these crazy days of the 21st century. Although schools can aid the acquisition of wisdom, only people who want to be wise will really achieve it.

Scripture teaches that the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and although wisdom in its various manifestations may be exhibited by atheists and agnostics, this writer recommends that biblical foundation of wisdom as the best. Of course, young people who see wealth, fame and other worldly measurements as the only true success might wonder what is so smart in anchoring one’s wisdom in the fear of God. True, we know by faith alone that there is life hereafter, but true happiness here and salvation hereafter will only be guaranteed to those who begin to be wise by fearing God. It is not necessary to define fear of God since every human is born with conscience and nearly all westerners, and increasingly the whole world, have been exposed to Christianity and other God-centred religions. Admittedly, unscrupulous humans have warped and corrupted Christianity and all other religions, yet the Creator concept and the God phenomenon are everywhere in nature and human experiences. Pauline theology is not far-fetched in teaching that it is in the Unknown Deity that we live and move and have our very existence. What is most blatantly missing from religious practices today is the ancient African centredness as explained in the Metu Neter by Ra Un Nefer Amen. Gladly, Jamaican culture is loaded with nuggets of African wisdom passed down through generations. This is a call to all Jamaicans, especially the young, to focus on being wise in 2011.

Knowledge is a vital aspect of wisdom although numerous very wise Jamaican ancestors were totally denied formal education. Many wise Rastafari elders whom I interviewed during doctoral studies had not gone beyond primary school, yet their insights and proclamations were very enlightening. Many Jamaican reggae lyrics are full of wisdom, including words from Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Buju Banton and scores of other artistes. Ignorance is the opposite of knowledge and so taking time to be informed is something that all Jamaicans should do. Once upon a time all primary schools in Jamaica used a Reader that showed that he who knows and knows he knows is a wise person to be followed or emulated. At the same time it is he who knows not and knows not he knows not who was most stupid. Even if the Jamaican government is slacking in its obligation to educate the populace, each individual should take responsibility for his own knowledge, with parents and other adults taking responsibility for the training of the young ones. It is said that the Mayan teaching of dramatic changes to occur on earth in 2012 mostly concerns changes in spiritual insight and the awareness of humanity about what is happening to our world. Daniel Pinchbeck in 2012: The Return Of Quetzalcoatl gives an interesting take on this subject. Yet, true wisdom is not acquired simply by living, although life is the highest university, but by anchoring one’s world view or personal philosophy on solid foundation and seeking to be true to one’s self. Jamaicans who are true to self will end up being true to their fellowmen also and will develop love for country.

Gunmen who wreck the country are not irredeemable. Often they are victims of the system and pawns of the real fools who are committed to destabilising Jamaica and destroying humanity. Jamaicans, ask yourselves if normal or natural economic, socio-political and global developments are responsible for the underdevelopment of the country and the “sufferation” among the people. Try to “open your eyes and look within” as Bob Marley encouraged, and see if it is simply fulfilment of the Book or some sinister plot afoot. Are there any Jamaicans at home or in the diaspora who have not been bought out by the enemies of Jamaica and who are bold enough to commit this new year to building Jamaica, exposing the enemies, expelling them and building the country? Reader Laura Miller in her letters to the Observer and emails to me often wonders why Jamaica is not already the most prosperous small nation on earth. This writer believes the destiny and prosperity of Jamaica lie in the hands of the Jamaican masses, not the politicians or global superpowers. Each Jamaican, young and old, must pledge self and resources to build a nation free of murders and other crimes, cleansed of corruption and full of prosperity. This writer does not see much hope for building a prosperous Jamaica in the JLP or PNP in their present unreformed and corrupt states. Only the Jamaican masses can demand and effect change. As Mr Dibbs would say, “Verbum sapientis satis est.”

INMerv@hotmail.com