The late Wilmot “Mutty” Perkins, iconoclastic talk show host, newspaper columnist, and public affairs commentator, oftentimes likened Jamaica to a failing State, quoting repeatedly from famed poet William Butler Yeats’s famous poem The Second Coming, which reads in part: “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…” And he would end in an ominous tone with the final lines: “And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” followed by his legendary raucous laughter tinged with much cynicism.

If Mutty was still alive today, he would be “in his ackee”, because things in Jamaica are indeed falling apart! The recurring point that many concerned Jamaicans continue to make is: We need to take back Jamaica! But who makes up the “we”?

It can be stated without much hesitation that Jamaica is on the brink of anarchy. Already, the social fabric has been unravelling as murders abound, indiscipline is rampant, corruption has overtaken the nation from top to bottom, and wide-scale poverty persists despite the highly touted economic boom the country is supposed to be enjoying. Women and children are being slaughtered on a regular basis; schools have become war zones and “romping shops”; and hopelessness is overtaking the national psyche even as thousands of Jamaicans migrate, whether by legal or illegal means, to escape from what was once deemed to be an island paradise.

In this vein, one assumes that the “we” may well be those citizens who see themselves as part of the solution and not the problem. Churchgoers, civil society groups, and non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) who see themselves as advocates and agents of change, third party pretenders to the throne, and verandah protagonists who spew solutions from afar while safely ensconced in their gated communities are among those who continue to express righteous indignation against what is happening in the wider society, but in the final analysis, who is willing to bell the cat?

Since the attainment of political independence, Jamaica has gradually been governed by minority governments. In other words, whichever party is in power would not have got the approval of the overwhelming majority of the people. But notwithstanding this scenario, no third party aspirant has been able to wrest power from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) or the People’s National Party (PNP). So, in essence, we are stuck between choosing the two tribes that were created by arch-rival cousins Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante. Alas, neither party, so far, has been able to sufficiently lead this fledgling nation to the Promised Land.

Remarkably, despite this perennial failure, Jamaicans, especially those from the lower socio-economic brackets, have continued to shine, bringing us much fame and glory. In sports, arts and culture, cuisine, tourism, agriculture, academics, medicine, among many other fields, ordinary Jamaicans continue to excel, beating the odds and thus giving us hope. Yes, we are the land of Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, et al, making the phrase “Wi little but wi tallawah” our national mantra.

Truth be told, Jamaicans tend to excel in just about every aspect of human endeavour when given the right push and nurtured in the right environment. It is, therefore, regrettable, if not tragic, that so far the “we” have not been able to take Jamaica back and lead it along a path of true progress and prosperity. To put it bluntly, our political leaders, for the most part, have failed us most miserably. Meanwhile, the “room for rent, apply within, when I come out, you go in” mentality has pervaded the body politic, with die-hard followers blindly following an Andrew Holness or a Mark Golding, who like the Pied Piper of Hamelin continue to lead them down the garden path of empty promises and failed leadership.

Even as we once again focus on the trials and triumphs of our national heroes and heroine as well as the many unsung ones among us, past and present, it behoves us all to take stock of our parlous situation as a nation in trouble and dare to be a Paul Bogle, a Samuel Sharpe, a Nanny, a George William Gordon, or a Marcus Garvey, standing up for what is right, just, and decent. Indeed, if Jamaica, land we love, is to be saved from going over the brink and descending into the abyss, there must a few good men and women out there who are prepared to take up the challenge to save this sin-sick nation.

Indeed, if all well-thinking citizens were to say “enough is enough”, let us take back Jamaica, it could be done, but it will take much testicular fortitude, a fixity of purpose, and an unwavering patriotic desire “to build while time is burning. Forward before it is too late”. The forthright question must be asked: If not us, who? If not now, when?

Jamaicans who truly love their country must awake from their slumber, they must stand up and be counted, and they must be prepared to call a spade a spade. There are too many cowards in our midst who are prepared to give lip service to the cause of nation-building, too many who are prepared to be mere spectators in the stands rather than getting on the field of play.

In both their National Heroes’ Day messages, Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness and Leader of Opposition Mark Jefferson Golding need to call this nation to arms to do battle with what ails it. Enough of the polemics and flowery oratory, the partisan one-upmanship, the “throwing of words”, which in the long run are but sound and fury signifying nothing.

Yes, we are the ones who must take Jamaica back, let us vow to now focus on how to get that gargantuan task done. If we fail, God help us!

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 47 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.