Dear Editor,

I must concede that I cherish these spontaneous gaffes by those who preside over the resources of this country. I crave your indulgence as I assess Minister Robert Pickersgill’s offensive, yet telling statement regarding the “sub-ordinary, extraordinary Jamaicans” ie the Jamaicans who use or know about Twitter.

I do wonder if Minister Pickersgill understands how telling his “articulate minority” statement was? He was explicitly saying that there is very little regard for those who voice their concerns in this country. He has very little regard for calls by this “articulate minority” for things such as accountability. Apparently, the moment you advance a logical analysis of the merits of governmental actions you become politically motivated.

By making reference to a minority of people who use Twitter and Facebook he not only supports the notion of the potential tyranny of the majority that is feared in a democracy, but he also demonstrates what goes through his mind as a policymaker when minority views are raised

He shows no shame for the sad state that is our country, wherein only a minority in our population has access to social media (ie Twitter and Facebook) in the 21st century. His acceptance of this sad state is rather appalling, almost an indictment on the part of the technology minister.

Most compelling is the idea that he recognises and accepts as normal the sad fact that the “articulate” fall in the minority. This goes at the heart of admitting stark failures in our education system, while using that failure to advance a disregard for the voices of those who dare call for accountability on the part of elected officials. It begs the question whether the minister has greater regard for the views of the educated versus the under- and uneducated.

I would like for the very articulate Minister Pickersgill to expound on what he construes the “ordinary Jamaican” to be. I would further like to engage his thoughts on what perceptions he harbours regarding this hierarchy of “ordinary” versus “extraordinary” Jamaicans? Given that the majority are inarticulate, Twitter-backward people, does he think that this is something that we should aim to maintain? Does he plan to engage the technology minister on increasing the pool of articulate Twitter-savvy Jamaicans? Or does he see that as a disadvantage to his hierarchy?

The voice of the voiceless must always be amplified by those who have the ability to shout loud enough. Be not intimidated, “articulate minority”; tweet about accountability and good governance until you get sent to Twitter “jail”, and when you get released, tweet about it some more. In the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Omrie Samuels

omries@hotmail.com