Deputy Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant requested applause for saxophonist Malik Hamilton after his cooling performance in the warm Alfred Sangster Auditorium at University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) last Wednesday. The keynote speaker at the UTech ‘Fi Wi Jamaica’ Project launch, Grant said Jamaicans are becoming “too quick to criticise rather than to applaud”. She shared with us the comments of a young man from St Catherine: “Whole a oonu ah throw down stress pon man! Police, family… like wi a prisoner!”

DCP Grant appealed: “We need to pay attention to how we communicate verbally and non-verbally. There is such a lack of kindness and positive feedback that our young men feel like giving up. We have to make the effort to give more praise.”

In order to bring our youth on board, Grant said, “We need to get them to tune in to WIFM — this means, ‘What’s In it For Me?’ In other words, we have to get our youth involved and engaged by planning events that they feel are empowering.” She cited research from Planning Institute of Jamaica, which showed that “crime, violence and the weakness of our justice system were undermining every aspect of society”, and warned that we are running the risk of being classified as a failed society. She said, while we get the statistics on physical crimes, these do not capture the verbal and psychological abuse that is rampant.

She noted that the loving, safe environment that she enjoyed as a child growing up in Westmoreland was no longer a reality for many of our children. She says this was creating so much anger in them that, even when they migrate, there are manifestations of this antisocial behaviour. She described the ‘pipeline’ along which children progress: “Home to Community to School to Society”, and said that it was too late to try to tackle the problem at the end of this journey.

“Where were you as a society at the beginning of this journey?” she asked. “Too many of us are absent. We need to get involved and become more engaged.” She noted that, because of the absent father in households, our boys need positive role models as they are now linking masculinity with gunmanship. She urged more awareness of domestic violence and training in mediation.

She said that as the police reach out to our youth, they are using the acronym IPAD as a guideline: assisting the youth to discover their Identity; helping them to identify their Purpose; developing a positive Attitude; shaping their Destiny. She appealed to UTech to ensure that counselling is available to students as there are many accomplished students who have difficulties in the workplace because of attitudinal issues.

Packing a sound parachute

Here we are, virtually in Beijing, as we enjoy the performance of our athletes. Yet, due to an administrative glitch, one of our best, Nesta Carter, will not be able to replace the injured Kemar Bailey-Cole. From press reports, it seems that a deadline for registering substitutes had not been met. Such errors create significant setbacks for the sport and our athletes.

The question, “Who is packing your parachute?” is a metaphor for the simple oversights that can cost people their livelihood and even their lives. In Jamaica, this parachute can be a registration form, a simple reference for a career break, or a bigger issue like a project that could create hundreds of jobs and a sustainable way of life for a community.

Frustrated individuals are afraid of ‘mashing the corns’ of vindictive officials, and so many continue to suffer in silence. But this benefits no one, not even the very officials that we are treating with kid gloves. Surely they have families, children working hard at their studies, expecting an opportunity to advance in their country?

It seems the juicier the benefits, the more desperate the ill-equipped aspirants for posts in organisations and politics. Where does this leave genuine, honest, hard-working folks? I have heard that this backward culture relegates them to the lower ranks, as they hang on to their jobs to pay their mortgages. I have heard people saying that they have been kept from promotions because they “don’t know the runnings”.

Our clergy can help amoral leaders to understand the damage they are doing; not just to their organisations, but to their own families. This is a small country, and the world is but a village connected on the Internet. Your misdeeds will affect the future of your children. Have a heart — spare your children, and allow excellence to rise in your workplace.

Archbishop Dufour marks 45th anniversary

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, Most Reverend the Honourable Charles Dufour, OJ, recently celebrated 45 years in the priesthood. The former bishop of Montego Bay created the Good Shepherd Foundation in St James, a large outreach organisation that has brought comfort to the suffering and hope to thousands during his years of compassionate ministry.

In a tribute to Archbishop Dufour, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen noted: “Despite his many achievements and accolades acquired during these 45 years, Archbishop Charles has remained a true and humble servant leader. It is said that the reward for hard work is even more work, and over the years his outstanding work in Christian ministry has been met with calls to higher and greater service, both in the church and other organisations of society.”

The governor general noted that Archbishop Dufour was his chairman when he was a member of the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority, and said: “He was inclusive; allowing all opinions to be shared before a consensus was ever arrived at.”

Known for his charismatic presence, rousing sermons, and warm choruses, Archbishop Dufour has been a strong leader with a spirit of ecumenism which has endeared him to Jamaicans of all faiths and denominations. We wish him many more years of good health in his blessed vocation.

Farewell, Dr Barry Wade

Earlier this month, Jamaica lost one of her finest sons, Dr Barry Wade, whose commitment to his country was reflected in his ready acceptance of the post of executive director of Jamaicans for Justice last year after controversial happenings.

The accomplished scientist served in senior executive positions in both the public and private sectors. A devout and active Christian, Dr Wade wrote two books, Ministry at the Margins and Journeys with Wolves and Lambs, which influence readers to a more altruistic and mindful way of life.

Dr Wade was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Order of Distinction, the Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal for contribution to Cultural Development in National Sciences, and the Silver Musgrave Medal for outstanding achievement in marine biology. Our condolence to his wife, Merle, family members, close friends and associates. He is gone to his well-deserved glory.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com