Garth Rattray | What kind of Jamaica do you want?

Independence Day, August 6, 1962 was magical and filled with great expectations. We had taken the reins from our former colonial masters and we envisioned a unified, progressive, inclusive, disciplined, peaceful, productive, prosperous country well into the foreseeable future. Our National Anthem entreated God to look over, guide and care for us, while our National Pledge, steeped in patriotism, served to focus and fortify us. Our people looked to our leaders for strength, direction and captainship for the great voyage that was ahead of us.

However, even during our productive and prosperous years, we failed to ensure inclusivity of our many underprivileged and disenfranchised communities. Instead, they were used to provide casual and hard labour, they were used as the voting (grass roots) base but otherwise, they were often overlooked educationally and developmentally and unaccepted socially.

Although the country had become independent, our disenfranchised underprivileged communities became more dependent than ever. They largely depended on the politicians of the day for handouts, favours, employment, opportunities to advance in life and for protection from the ‘other side’ (an expedient political fabrication designed to achieve and retain power). The poor compete for the measly crumbs given as payback for their loyalty at the polls.

Eventually, the various factions needed local leaders, the gun became the symbol of power and human life was significantly devalued. Even though the local leaders operated under their political patrons, they operated by their own set of rules. It didn’t take long for those alternate rules to usurp the laws of the land and leach into the fabric of the wider society.

CORRUPTION

Meanwhile, within another sphere of society, antiquated, and slovenly government systems were being circumvented by people weary of stumbling blocks and red tape. Soon, favours required payment and the door to corruption was swung open. Corruption has attained ubiquity. With that comes preferential treatment and the breaking of rules, regulations and laws (illegalities).

The disregard for laws is evident in the ways that we conduct ourselves daily. The contempt for authority and the disregard for life have transformed our little island into a dangerous place for many. Youngsters raised in an environment devoid of love and respect, but rife with fear and viciousness, the worship of violence and, especially the gun, become evil, heartless killers who revel in, ‘making duppies’.

The consumerist influence of powerful countries led to [convenient] merchandising and not enough production and exportation. This “independent” nation depends heavily on tourism and remittances. The dream of Jamaica being a unified, progressive, inclusive, disciplined, peaceful, productive, prosperous nation, evaporated slowly over decades.

Yet, despite our numerous challenges, Jamaica has shone brightly on the international stage. The warmth of our people, natural assets, culture, music, entertainers, philosophers, academicians and athletes are all iconic and eventually become legends. This little island has repeatedly made its indelible mark on this planet. We exude greatness. Jamaicans are everywhere and are doing everything imaginable.

PEOPLE MAKE COUNTRIES GREAT

I was once interviewed by an Australian journalist who, almost tearfully, shared with me his shock at seeing violence, our plethora of beggars and numerous dispirited citizens. He read extensively on the great minds that we produced, the people who influenced the entire planet. On his arrival here, this was not the Jamaica he envisioned. And, it is not the Jamaica that most envisioned, but the minority that survives on violence, bullyism, corruption, indiscipline and anarchy are having their way with the rest of us.

Countries don’t make the people great, it’s the people that make the country great and it’s the individuals that make up ‘the people’. The change begins with every one of us. The way we obey the laws, the rules, the regulations, the discipline that we practice on the roads and in our everyday lives will shape the Jamaica into that we want. What you do today makes Jamaica what it becomes tomorrow.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.