ANOTHER French friend of mine, reflecting on recent events, shared with me her understanding of the why and wherefore young people, not only in France, but other sections of Europe and elsewhere, can be lured into becoming messengers of death and destruction. Speaking from knowledge of the society in which she lived for many years before coming here, my friend shared knowledge of the 1960s in France, a time when youth were lured by leftist propaganda, built on Marxism and/or Maoism.

Today, a new generation buys into something far more dangerous, as recent events have been proving. The world now knows of the terrorists who try to proselytise young people into adopting the new beliefs based on theology far more dangerous than anything seen before. I haven’t heard much discussion here of how our today-youths are reacting to what has been happening, and how adults see the challenge.

My friend believes that Jamaican young people have more fulfilling and creative ways with which they can be occupied instead of the ISIS-style cruelty which is driving fear into the rest of the world. “The dreams of Jamaican youth might not be fulfilled, but at least they have something to believe in, something to work towards.” She is of the opinion that the creative arts might well be one of the ways in which our youth can be steered away from death-dealing ideology parading as religion. As a society, we can well do with more discussion, aka the fashionable “conversation”, whether we are preparing to understand a new and dangerous world.

Postponed election

Love it or leave it, elections are off for now. However you look at it, in the on-again, off-again election tussle, Christmas is the winner. Those who are interested in both politics and Christmas can at least put aside the bickering for a little while. We have been given a reprieve from the endless quarrel in which we have been immersed, seemingly forever.

According to the rules of democracy, everybody has a right to do what they want, eg to sing political party songs or Jingle Bells, wear party colours or go camouflaged in Christmas red. Come the new year, Christmas will go back from whence it came, leaving the way clear for the election machinery to crank up again.

Black Friday

It wasn’t so long ago that our business sector was urging: “Call the election now, right now.” Then came the deferral. And before you can say it, “Black Friday” has assumed prominence, putting politics on the back burner and taking centre stage in the name of commerce. Why? Because the ‘lickle man’ would suffer from the fall-off of his business, which depends on Christmas sales — or so it is said.

So, we move on to “God rest you merry, you merchants, may you make the Yuletide pay”. Such are the words of a comedic version of a revered hymn, “God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay”. Not many of us get a chance to rest merry, (not merry men to rest).

Politicians and merchants are no strangers to dismay. Since “Chrismuss” comes but once a year, the tradition is, let’s make the best of it; and be assured that when politics returns, that will be a Santa of another kind.

Of course, the economy needs a boost, hence the support for a Friday, especially identified with a particular colour. The question, though, is: From where did the Black Friday title originate? Somebody claims that it has connections to slavery in the US. Never heard of it before, and there is no evidence that our ancestors got a day off for shopping. If they did, shouldn’t we be educated on that piece of history? (You believe it?)

Positive vibes

Congratulations to the executives of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) for the imaginative and well-managed programme which they delivered for Journalism Week. PAJ President Dionne Jackson Miller and her team spared no effort in consciousness-raising, especially to prepare a new generation to face the challenges which the present, as well as the future, require.

Nuff respect to our own Vernon Davidson, executive editor for this paper, and other awardees — Louis Burke, TVJ, Ray Smith CVM-TV, Algon Brown, The Gleaner — all saluted by the PAJ for a job well done. Respect, yes!

Trump fever

Any bets on where the Donald Trump Comedy hour race for the US presidency will end? The campaign becomes more bizarre each day. People are beginning to wonder if there really are voters who would pledge their allegiance to a commander-in-chief who proudly boasts who and who he would bomb — on hometown soil at that.

His latest Big Lie, is that he saw thousands and thousands of Muslims in New Jersey in 2001 as the first of the Twin Towers fell in the 9/11 attack. Lack of evidence has not stopped him in his tracks. Why do we claim that our politicians are the worst in the world? Why is it so easy to belittle ourselves and excuse idiots elsewhere?

Will this crazy little man be voted into the White House? Some would not be surprised. It is said he has a following as weird as him. Lord, have mercy!

Barbara Gloudon is a journalist, playwright and commentator. Send comments to the Observer or gloudonb@yahoo.com.