‘No one is safe until we are all safe’ — Prime Minister Holness
As the gun debate continues in the US, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in his address to the Summit of the Americas held last week, noted the effect of small arms trafficking to Jamaica. He stated, “A significant number of countries are experiencing an increase in illegally trafficked weapons and smaller arms into our borders from within the region.”
I remember seeing a gun display in a popular chain store in Florida, where people casually picked up the weapons and examined them. There are reports that Jamaican scammers and extortionists use ill-gotten funds to buy and smuggle these weapons.
At the summit Prime Minister Holness observed, “This is increasing the capabilities of criminals and increasing violent crimes, particularly homicides. Much more needs to be done to control illegally trafficked weapons in our region.”
I have not heard, in recent memory, a prime minister come out as strongly against crime as Prime Minister Holness. He has done so at many events in Jamaica, and he did so at the summit.
The prime minister underlined our shared challenges: “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated our interconnectedness and our interdependence and that no one is safe until we are all safe.”
Our world has been wounded by failures and tyranny. We see the suffering in every corner of the world, and the deep anxiety of members of our human family have been left wondering who will be next to suffer at the hands of those with an unbridled and immoral greed for power.
He called for just and compassionate leadership: “This region of the world has the resources, all the resources to secure peace and prosperity for all the people of the hemisphere… Let us commit to using our best efforts to make the dialogue, the plans, and the agreements a reality.”
In her address, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley expressed regret that Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua had not been invited to the summit, “We need to speak with those with whom we disagree and we don’t only need to narrowcast.”
She also chided the three countries: “But secondly, those countries must equally recognise that you cannot want to fully participate if you’re not prepared equally to engage and to see progress, and the simple priority must be people, not ideology.”
JANUARY 6TH HEARING
Last Thursday evening 20 million viewers, perhaps not counting the international audience, tuned in on several major cable news channels to the hearing of the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack.
Audiences were riveted as they heard a live account from a woman police officer who was injured in the attack; saw video footage from a British journalist who had been embedded with the Proud Boys; former Attorney General Bill Barr confirming that he told President Donald Trump that he had lost the 2020 US Presidential Election, and Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, stating that she respected Barr’s opinion.
The reporting of evidence in the calm, controlled voice of Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney took the audience through a series of chilling events, which left five individuals dead, several wounded, and calls for the hanging of then Vice-President Mike Pence.
I respect the outlook of former Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb, and in her Easter note she had written, “Knowing our [hers and husband Charles’] background, several of you have asked about our views of the current political climate. Our answer is that we are firmly attached to the conservative principles of republican leaders who have helped guide the nation since the days of President Abraham Lincoln.”
She continued, “We are proud of the opportunities we had to serve presidents [Ronald] Reagan, GHW Bush, and GW Bush and of our passionate support for presidential candidates [Bob] Dole, [John] McCain, [Mitt]Romney, and Jeb Bush. We are hopeful the 2024 Republican presidential candidate will have the same high level of integrity, humility, character, humour, intelligence, leadership skills, and international acumen as the seven extraordinary leaders with whom we worked closely.”
This is straight talk from the seasoned diplomat and author of The Lady of Silk and Steel, the title drawn from a tribute to her by P J Patterson, who was prime minister during her tour of duty here in Jamaica. We can read between the lines.
HORACE LEVY’S BOOK LAUNCH
Last Saturday saw the launch of social advocate Horace Levy’s book, Jamaica: Fractured Nation, Vibrant People. It took the form of a panel discussion, with panellists, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, immediate past president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Howard Mitchell, and Dr Nadiya Figueroa, moderated by Carol Narcisse.
Publicist Glynis Salmon noted, “The book focuses on two critical periods of Jamaica’s social history…1920 to 1980 and… 1981 to the present. Jamaica’s nine prime ministers and two parties occupy most of its pages, but the careful reader will perceive that critical hope is placed less in the parties than in civil society broadly understood.”
“Horace Levy has written an important evaluation of Jamaican political stewardship with a perspective spanning a century,” wrote Professor Emeritus Rupert Lewis in his endorsement of the publication. “In his fair-minded analysis, he provides a solid foundation for national discussion in Jamaica’s 60th year of Independence.”
THE COURAGE OF SARAH NEWLAND-MARTIN
Societal and physical challenges may cause despair, but the life of Sarah Newland-Martin is a lesson in hope and courage. Our heroine of the Kingston cross-the-harbour race in the 60s showed that her handicap from polio was no equal for her courageous heart. She became a strong voice for people with disabilities and an activist for our youth, heading the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) for 34 years.
From Jamaica Observer reporter Arthur Hall we learnt that, from an early age, Sarah was a patient of the legendary Sir John Golding, and his son Mark Golding said she supported the Mona Rehabilitation Centre, now renamed for Sir John: “We served together in support of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre… and after he passed in 1996, she played an important part in helping to ensure the sustainability of that institution.”
Former Jamaica Olympic Association President Mike Fennell said, “At the Stoke Mandeville Games, which preceded the Paralympic Games in England, Sarah won numerous medals in swimming after establishing herself as a local and international competitor for her country.”
A devout Baptist, Sarah was lauded in a tribute by Rev Merlyn Hyde-Riley, acting general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, who noted that she chaired their ministry’s Persons With Disabilities Committee and assisted with the development of a handbook, Church of All and For All.
She was also a former secretary of the Rotary Club of Kingston and a justice of the peace. This lady, who wore prostheses for both legs, was as active and as impeccable as ever.
I have had several meetings with Sarah, who was honoured at Caribbean Community of Retired Persons’ (CCRP) Jamaica 50 Living Legacy Awards.
Let us learn from the great life of Sarah Newland-Martin that we are stronger when we put aside our personal challenges to dedicate ourselves to the greater good.
Rest in peace, beloved Sarah. You are an eternal inspiration.
lowriechin@aim.com
www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com