SINCE the advent of the Internet and specifically the explosion of the various elements of social media, there seems to be a progressive deterioration in our social relationships.

One would have thought that social media would be employed as a tool for social integration which would bring people together and hopefully improve the level of social interaction among us. But, alas! As I averred in an earlier piece in which I urged the young to indulge responsible use of social media, far from being a force for social cohesion, it has functioned to further divide us, to increase the toxicity of the social environment in which we live, and, sadly, to promote anger, hatred, and bitterness as central tools for social functioning.

The emotions of anger, impatience, and intolerance are on the ascendancy. Some would argue that hatred is becoming ingrained in our DNA. With the campaigning for the general election in full spate, we have seen an increase in this anger and intolerance of other people’s viewpoints. Incendiary rhetoric is at an all-time high. Thankfully, this anger and intolerance have not spilled over into overt violence, but one cannot be sure that this will not happen given the sordid history of the disease of political violence in our country. Partisan political ferocity is perhaps being held at bay because the date of the election has not yet been announced.

And speaking about the date of the election. It is clear that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who alone constitutionally has the authority to announce the date, is waiting for literally the last minute to do so. Barring a national emergency, the election has to be held in September. One can assume all kinds of calculations taking place in the his mind. Surely, he would want to see the further roll-out of the school bus programme in more areas of the country when the school year starts in the first week in September. This alone tells me that there will be no election until about the third week of September, with an announcement coming by the middle of August. But your guess is as good as mine. What is clear is that the announcement has to come in August.

Meanwhile, the vitriol on the campaign platforms continues apace. Not to mention what is being posted on various social media platform. Most of what is there is not edifying. They constitute personal attacks rather than any sober or cogent commentary on important issues which are of concern to Jamaicans. Neither side of the political divide will claim paternity for the diatribe to which we are exposed, but one hopes that all well-thinking Jamaicans will see these commentaries for what they are, an insult to their intelligence which should not be rewarded by a single vote from them. We are used to noise from political platforms, but we have not seen in recent times the kind of hatred that is being spewed from these platforms. It is not enough to urge the purveyors of this toxicity to restrain themselves. If they never possessed the inner discipline to do so, no amount of appeal to what ought to be their better angels will suffice. The most we can do is ensure that the purveyors of toxicity are not given a chance to enter our Parliament.

There are many areas in which the tearing of our social fabric is particularly worrying. I will mention two here, beginning with the stoning of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses in the Corporate Area. It is hard to wrap one’s mind around this. Obviously, those who do this dastardly act have a certain agenda. I refrain from saying a political agenda, because to the best of my knowledge, this has not been established as a fact. But what benefit does an ordinary citizen derive from stoning property that belongs to them and which should be beneficial to them as they commute across the city. An arsonist for sheer pleasure will set a place on fire because it pleases him psychologically to do so. Can the same be said of those who damage public property? Is there some psychological comfort to be derived from this despicable behaviour, or is there a larger agenda afoot?

Even more worrying is the unconscionable and demonic sexual assault on our young girls. Boys are also assaulted, but our girls are in the vast majority of those who are being set upon by brute beasts for sexual pleasure. The outgoing Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, on
Nationwide News Network radio, recently lamented the high incidents of young girls being raped and particularly the incestuous nature of these predatory attacks. She noted that many of these cases involve family members. There was one case — and you can be sure there are others — of a mother pimping out her young daughter for money.

Sexual assault on our girls certainly is not a new phenomenon. It is true that the technology we have today has allowed the authorities to have a greater capacity to ferret out these activities. People seem to be more willing to report them as well. So we are getting more information concerning this depravity. What is clear is that a warped and depraved approach to sex by too many in our society has greatly exacerbated the problem. As the DPP said, many people just dismiss it as just “a little sex” and nothing is wrong with it. But studies after studies have shown the severe impact that early exposure to sexual intercourse can have on the mind of the young. A little sex may bring a brute beast some pleasure, but it leaves a permanent imprint on the mind of the young victim, which disfigures his/her sense of being and wholeness. It goes to the depth of his/her intrapsychic health and well-being and leads to maladjustment in his/her social behaviour and capacity to engage in meaningful and wholesome relationships as adults.

The society must have a greater conversation with itself about this matter. The parenting commission must engage communities in robust discussion about it and bring the resources to bear on it. The development of a nation cannot be forged by vibrant economic variables alone, but by the extent to which we maintain strong, vibrant, and lasting social relationships. The present toxicity in the public space is not helping, but each person ought to check himself or herself with regard to their own contribution to this toxic environment.

Senator Don Wehby

This column wishes to pay tribute to the illustrious Senator Don Wehby, public servant and Caribbean business icon, who died recently.

On every metric, be it political, business, philanthropy or sports, Senator Wehby dedicated himself to the service of his country. He left a great legacy of what the fusion between an enduring business engagement and public political service to his country should look like. In doing so, he was the epitome of graciousness, not allowing himself to be easily ruffled, but doing his work with the brilliance and unobtrusiveness for which he was known.

I wish his family and the country he loved well. May his soul find rest in the eternal peace of his Creator.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. He hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his YouTube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.

Political posts on social media platforms constitute personal attacks rather than any sober commentary on important issues.

The date of the general election is yet to be announced by the prime minister.

HOLNESS… the only person with authority to call the election (Photo: Karl Mclarty)