Alice Hogarth | I was ‘compelleth’ to protest for the first time

I read Dr Alfred Dawes’ article in the Sunday Gleaner, June 7, 2020 , ‘Why I doth not protest too much’, and I am responding as a protester standing in solidarity with our black families in America against systemic racism. On the contrary, ‘I was compelleth to protest for the first time’ against this ‘beast’ called racism since I have close family living there, my son, grandsons, etc.

I loved his article in awakening the Jamaican people, the middle and the upper classes to show their empathy for the poor, here at home, but I do disagree on some things. For example, people “who are different from us” and thus “selective empathy”. No! That is not so. We have much more in common than differences, we are all from African descent coming out of slavery, and our own Jamaicans who live there are subjected to racism. A one fambily, mi bredren!

Both the American and Jamaican situations are similar, except blacks are in the majority in Jamaica, but in America they are in the minority, and the poor blacks, the masses, are marginalised in both cases, and those who rebel against the system are labelled thugs, villains, criminals, a nuisance to society, hence their lives are worth nothing, so better to get rid of them. Sadly, this is the truth, but it simply boils down to this, when injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. Nelson Mandela supported this. “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” Thus, leadership will be judged as the villains, the criminals and the thugs if they continue to deny the rights of the people and not break the chains of injustice.

LOWER CLASS LIVES

It was said that, “lower class victims lives don’t matter” and that those of the foreigners matter more. I beg to differ. “Who are the foreigners? Our black families in America?” Floyd was from the lower class and we all empathised. America and Jamaica are inextricably bound. Moreover, Jamaica’s history does not show regular protests supporting foreign issues. Floyd’s lynching was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Jamaica has injustices that need fixing right eena our yaad and middle/upper classes must protest overtly.

Jamaica has been the ‘rebel country’, the bun down Babylon with rebels like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Marcus Garvey. Moreover, there is no household in Jamaica, today, that can deny having family in America. Racism, this ‘beast’, attacks all classes of blacks and all are affected. Of course, poor blacks are most vulnerable and Jamaicans living in America, whether brown or black are seen as black, and are at risk. Hence, as a mother and grandmother I could not sit and do nothing.

TAKING ACTION

Martin Luther King Jr said that one’s silence in the midst of evil makes one an accomplice. I had to do something, so I initiated Movement for Justice and Upliftment. Unfortunately, because our movement was new and I am ‘unknown’, we did not get full media coverage at Emancipation Park so Dr Dawes could see how much we spoke about Jamaican issues and that one size does not fit all.

At Emancipation Park we experienced the ‘Babylon Oppression’ which works for the powers that be to keep us in check. Bob Marley’s song is still too relevant today, Chant down Babylon. Nothing has changed over the centuries, it is as if time has stood still, and we were still back in the 17th century. Oh yes, the same system, same laws, same song, same tune, and the same strategy to conquer, divide and rule. I would coin it ‘systemic Babylonism’, and the Westminster model of government from the 17th century has chained us to colonialism perpetuated by both governments, with a governor general representing the Queen of England, Queen of Jamaica in independent Jamaica, which to me is absolutely absurd. Let us not even visit education, health, housing, tribal warfare, etc., for space will not permit.

The truth is that these archaic colonial systems have failed miserably, and are just not designed to bring about justice and upliftment, and neither government cared enough to reform it. Yet, justice brings peace which results in brotherhood, as Jesus taught us to be. Take note, leadership, that a warning has already been sent in the book Global Warning which I co-authored and published recently, warning leaders of government/churches to make ‘crooked paths straight’ for in God’s eyes all men are created equal. If not, they will surely feel His judgement. A im a di owna fi di yaad, an’ Gad nah sleep – memba dat! His heart is with the cries of the oppressed, and the wicked will be rewarded similar to the children of the Israelites. Galatians 6:7, Be not deceived. God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.

Supporters of Donald J. Trump think that he is God’s anointed, and sent by God. In my view, it must be another God! Could not be the true and living God that I serve. My father’s heart is broken, where is the brotherhood? Where is the unity among us? The black race still are ‘crabs in a barrel!’ It’s one race, made in the image of the creator, one blood, red blood running through our veins, and when our brother falls and is on the ground, rather than look down at him, pick him up without hesitation. We make it together or we don’t make it all. Then we all win.

Movement for Justice and Upliftment is not affiliated to any party politics. Work starts with our justice system that ‘stinketh’.

We have sent enquiries demanding justice for Noel Chambers and other inmates. Our movement will ‘cause you to leave the comfort of your chair’. Oh yes, Dr Dawes, there will be empathy for all in seeking justice and upliftment, locally and internationally.

Alice Hogarth is the founder of Movement for Justice and Upliftment. Send feedback to alice.hogarth@yahoo.com