HOW would you respond if you were asked this question: Are we Jamaicans losing hope for ourselves and this country, which we declare that we so love?

We, here at home, are not the only ones left to ponder on such things. Through social media, we’re also hearing more and more from the family overseas, how they too are beginning to think — and say — that the homeland mash up and is without any hope. I can see with them to a point, not the hopeless part, though.

We are steadily eroding our credibility by our own efforts. It is unthinkable that we would ever have sunk so low with some of the bad stuff which goes on, such as ill-treating children in a heartless, cruel way. We have finally awakened, but the damage has been done already. Still, we must get moving out of the darkness into light.

Most, if not all of the blame and responsibility is placed on the leaders; politicians, most of all. Others in the leadership ranks, from Church to commerce, are criticised occasionally, but the others have to answer the charges every day. With election or elections, (singular or plural, I’m not quite sure) lurking in the background, those who hold public office must have a special kind of strength to survive the beating they take each day.

It is amazing that anyone would consider running for public office these days, when to the general public, “dem a nuh nutten”. How are we going to separate the unwanted and the disrespectful who seem impervious to criticism? The good suffer for the bad and the rest of us end up convinced that we the people have no hope at all. We wallow in the hopelessness and still await a miracle. We need integrity and honesty not only from leaders, but ourselves as well.

It is not only the big criminals we need to fear. Recent reports of theft and dishonesty from unexpected areas reveal that the problem also includes “decent people” who think nothing of taking what is not theirs. Imagine, “liberating” property of the US Government? Somebody head tek dem! The peculiar sentencing of the accused has many puzzled. We, the people, need to have it explained.

Reformation and rehabilitation are not abstract ideas. The problem seems to be in some of the strange behaviour exhibited by some people. Who can break us out of this ill-advised habit? The saddest part of the drama now is how many young people, educated and trained at other people’s expense, seem more interested in partying, even if they have to visit the money lender to fund it. That’s something to worry about. Party ’til you drop, yes, but what happens when you get up and the reality is right in front of your face? Who then to blame? Who is to right the wrongs and return the much sought-after new and spotless Jamaica for which they yearn? — or so they say.

It is very easy, ladies and gentlemen and future leaders, to stand outside, looking in, and moaning how “everyting crash”. By this, the elders, of course, get their share of blame. They should be retired to Pension Alley to plan their last farewell. In the political arena, new voices will tell you that they’re ready to take on the task of restoring our nation. We agree. So, Massives, get going, nuh! You’re not the only hope of the future. The present is ready now for you to come forward and show how the future will be met.

Bangarang of the week

The football aka soccer scandal over Farrin is serious, very serious! Regional interest, of course, is the future of the game, its leaders, followers, and all. Soccer/football is very serious business. It has the power to make or break entire nations, depending on who won and who lost, and it has done so more than once. In the scandal, people want to know who, besides those already charged, have got their fingers stuck in the money machine?

In the Caribbean, and especially in his birthplace (Trinidad & Tobago), the rise and fall of Jack Warner is the main story. But keep watching and listening for more drama.

What if he was not the only Caribbean personality to get caught in the rat trap? This is not going to be a little kick-ball. In case there’s anybody who doesn’t know, when the American justice system gets its teeth into something, it holds on and doesn’t let go until the judge speaks and the sentencing begins.

The questions are many. The interest of US crime hunters is no joke, even if one on the justice team cracked a small joke about Mr Blatter being given a red card, the symbol of foul play. Get real! If you mess with them, don’t expect an invitation to dinner. They will come and get you.

On the road, too, the boys are asking about the timing of the revelation. Does the fact that the US lost out in their bid to host the football World Cup have anything to do with it? They’ve set the alarm going and the ref’s whistle blew when so many of the suspects have assembled in Europe to anoint and crown the next head of the football federation. Never see smoke without fire.

The game of soccer/football was for a long, long while treated like child’s play by the same USA. It is only comparatively recent that the USA got on the world field, taking the game beyond child’s play. It is still played by girls at prep school and high school in better-off US communities.

Remember when football, according to the USA, meant the meeting of muscle and violence in a game, which has gradually swept the globe, powered by the multi-billion-dollar betting empire which goes with it? It is more than likely that betting has been a part of the game called soccer in our region — from Caribbean to the Americas, Latin and otherwise. Some in Europe and otherwise have called it soccer, while we Caribbean people have stayed with “football”. Whatever is currently happening might well determine the future, especially for youngsters in many striving countries who see playing for the Big Leagues abroad in their future. What a bam-bam!

gloudonb@yahoo.com