We are all to blame
Dear Editor,
I believe Jamaica lost a great talent, an asset, and the perfect example of what Jamaicans can achieve through dedication and hard work the day that Glen Archer died. Since his death many have argued, analysed and asked if proper succession plan had been in place, if the Government had given him enough support, or if he had acquired enough funding for his programme which, no doubt, was of benefit to all of Jamaica.
From where I stand, it would be very sad if none of that had taken place, but it is even more regrettable that some of the people who are asking these questions are the ones who, themselves, could have assisted with funding and support. They could have lobbied for support and help to assist with his programme, but they did not see the need to even make an effort.
All of Jamaica became aware of Glen Archer’s talent when he took Jody-Ann Maxwell to the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee competition and with his training she placed first, becoming Jamaica’s first and only international spelling bee champion. His natural talent was further cemented in our minds as he continued to produce champions at the national level year after year.
It is my view that if Glen Archer was not properly supported and funded, the blame is for all of us. The truth is, though, we don’t know, at this point, how much effort he personally made to seek support, nor do we know how much was given or offered to him.
We are all responsible, as we all have a voice that we need to use to send the proper messages to do what needs to be done. It is said that without a vision the people perish; have all our visionaries become extinct?
Before we argue about what did not happen and cast blame as we decide in our minds whose fault it is, let us examine ourselves.
For too long we have been a reactive people instead of being a proactive set. It is when something happens in this country that we either start to talk about it or put something in place to remedy some of the damage. Every so often these are measures to ‘save face’ and shield the shame felt for not doing something early enough to solve an obvious problem.
Let us be proactive and not reactive; let us not wait for something to happen before we do or say something about the obvious problem. We need to be able to see further than our hands can reach and put systems in place to prevent bad occurences, instead of systems to catch the horse that has already gone through the gate.
Gary Rowe
magnett0072004@yahoo.com