The vilest thing in this world, after sin itself, is slavery. — from The Siete Partidas

A legacy of the transatlantic slave trade is the institutionalisation of racism as a basis for discrimination. This is the reality of black people. It is not true for any other formerly enslaved people in the world. It is important to understand this in order to appreciate the continuing struggle of the majority in Jamaica for human rights and political power.

Despite living in a free society with well-developed institutions, many Jamaicans from humble socio-economic backgrounds have yet to experience the full expression of their individual freedom and human rights. This is due to systemic discrimination, poverty, lack of education and other opportunities, and fear of violence which, not coincidentally, disproportionately affects the poorest sectors of society — who happen to be black.

There are numerous markers in post-independent Jamaica which confirm the continuing disenfranchisement of the majority of the island’s population. It is estimated that one in three Jamaicans is below the age of 15 years, and over 90 per cent are below age 65. Most are, therefore, too young to know or remember 1966, when the homes of over 3,000 poor people on the foreshore of the Kingston Harbour, a place called “Dungle”, were bulldozed to remove political opponents of the ruling party and facilitate construction of what is now Newport West. Physical beatings of young black males, illegal detentions, the creation and deployment of special police squads, extrajudicial executions and the arming of unemployed youth as partisan political enforcers lifted the tide of lawlessness in the 70s and still threatens to engulf us.

In present day Jamaica, colour continues to be an identifier and determinant of social and economic class and upward mobility. Justice in Jamaica is administered with one standard for the rich and another for the poor. Despite universal adult suffrage and Independence, all scientific measurements of segments of the population indicate that colour remains an important predictor of life experiences and living conditions.

Another legacy of that vile thing called slavery is the emasculation of many males and objectification of females as sex things. Consequently, nearly 90 per cent of children are born to single mothers with no man in the home. Fathers are either absent or uninvolved.

Key research findings collated about two years ago by Dr Michael Coombs, regional technical director for the Southern Regional Health Authority of the Ministry of Health, show that:

* 50 per cent of Jamaican children are born to unregistered fathers — their names are not on the children’s birth certificates.

* 85 per cent of Jamaican children are born to unmarried mothers.

* Most households are single-parent households headed by women whose families are more likely to be poor.

* The most reliable predictor of criminal behaviour is the absence of a father in the home.

* 90 per cent of all gang members grew up in a fatherless home —gang violence is responsible for roughly half of all homicides.

* 85 per cent of all youth in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.

* 72 per cent of all teenage murderers grew up without fathers.

* 85 per cent of rapists come from fatherless homes.

* 63 per cent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.

* 71 per cent of teenage pregnancies are to girls from fatherless homes; and

* The absence of biological fathers increases by 900 per cent a daughter’s vulnerability to rape and sexual abuse.

The statistics confirm that a family, with parents consisting of one man and one woman in a committed loving stable relationship, is the fundamental unit of a healthy society. These are biblical concepts. It has been recognised that the church in Jamaica is a primary source of mainstream values. Various demonstrations of unity confirm that the church continues to wield cultural influence and political power. It is time to use it.

The next general election is constitutionally due between December 29, 2016 and April 16, 2017. However, it is expected sooner. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller rallied the troops in late 2015 but, according to her, rested arms at the behest of her maker. The delay in the general election provides additional opportunities for Jamaica and the church to become meaningfully involved in the political process. There is still time to engage with those who aspire for political power. Congregations are urged to discuss and decide on the things that matter to them, ask their representatives and opposite number about their views on such things, and vote accordingly. Church leaders are encouraged to inform their people about the political process, how to take part in it and demand more of our national leaders who, after the elections, must be held to account.

The church’s model for family life and community carries with it solutions for the ills of slavery and disregard for human rights. Admittedly, the church has not done family well. This is one pretext for the secular war against religion. Leaders at all levels must, therefore, be held accountable. Notwithstanding, the church continues to hold moral authority. It must raise its voice. The church must not be silent.

Helene Coley Nicholson is an attorney-at-law and president of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship. Send comments to the Observer or ColeyNich@gmail.com