Gordon Robinson | Political tribalism is slavery

On Sunday, Jamaica marked 61 years of “Independence” but has, over time, drifted further and further from that ideal.

In reality, the only true independence available is independence of thought as certified by expression. In everything else we are individually and nationally interdependent. Sadly, while remembering “Emancipendence”, Jamaica, anxious for rainfall (lots of it), has instead been flooded by crude, dim-witted, creatively challenged pronouncements from various platforms driven by the mental slavery of dependence on political tribalism.

Rows and flows of angel hair

and ice cream castles in the air

and feather canyons everywhere

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Media is currently overrun with forced, futile false equivalence from political hacks and trolls. Talk-shows no longer encourage independent thought from contributors. Social media is a caricature of a Primary School sports day’s finger pointing parents’ race. Who can best advance crassness and irrelevance wins.

But now they only block the sun.

They rain and they snow on everyone.

So many things I would have done

but clouds got in my way.

You know it’s bad when Elder Statesman P. J. Patterson, whose political administrations attempted to improve values and attitudes and whose personal style was non-confrontational, decided to break his silence.

P.J wrote:

“Utterances from some in the political sphere and positions of authority belittle us as a nation and undermine respect for all. Public respect is rapidly descending to an all-time low. The language used routinely is distasteful, disgraceful, and comments are derogatory. The tone of their delivery is devoid of respect...”

This is indisputable. The light of respect and decency has been blocked. There’s little discernible difference between Government and Opposition’s disrespectful utterances. There’s either a lack of intellect and creativity or a supercilious, tone-deaf, contemptuous attitude.

P.J. was clear in meaning and intent:

“Instead of mutual respect, a small but vociferous number of our public speakers are consistently mean-spirited and vulgar. This appalling deterioration cannot be allowed to continue without our clear denunciation as ‘one people out of many’. We dare not remain silent…”

Recall that, when active in politics, P.J., often slow to comment on controversies, relied on the mantra “silence can’t be misquoted”. So, P.J. eschewing silence and, furthermore, specifying “We dare not remain silent” requires every Jamaican to sit up and take notice.

He’s clearly criticising both Party Leaders who haven’t taken effective steps to restrain their more ebullient members. For example, nasty, unsubstantiated, seemingly coordinated attacks on Integrity Commission by Parliamentarians were permitted before and after PM issued a mild “no more cass-cass” request.

P.J. stayed on a weak leadership message:

“Without rebuke, we are failing to live up to our democratic ideals and undermining our country’s ability to achieve its full potential. Undoubtedly, our ancestors, on whose shoulders we stand, would be appalled at the ugly and debasing public discourse in recent times. We have let them down.”

But, how can a PNP leader who publicly encourages party members to arrange for dead people to vote PNP then calls it a “joke” rebuke anyone? How can a JLP leader whose mild mannered plea, to cease scandalous public attack on a national anti-corruption agency, is ignored rebuke anyone?

Jamaica’s greatest political offence (extreme tribalism) again proved our biggest obstacle to independent thought. This mental shackle forced JLP trolls to insist P.J’s statement be discredited by any means necessary. But slaves to Tribalism struggle to address sub stance. So, again, finger-pointing was the weapon of choice. One contributed “Under whose administration did the decline start?”

Sigh. I dunno. Whichever one you say. Now that distraction is exhausted, do you agree or disagree with the substance of P.J’s statement? Why? Are you comfortable with the current political discourse? Don’t answer. I know. Only PNP discourse is indecent. Right?

Another activist “reported”: “PJ Patterson tells PNP to cool it in response to constant vulgarity from [PNP] leadership and its associates.”

DWL. I surrender. Obviously, reading is now done through tribal spectacles and reporting has become abstract impressionist art.

Joni Mitchell is an American folk icon who wrote and recorded some of that genre’s best. My favourite is Both Sides Now.

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now;

from up and down and, still somehow,

it’s cloud illusions I recall.

I really don’t know clouds at all.

I feel you Joni. I’m picturing a cartoonesque Donald Trump knee deep in Florida flood waters with megaphone in hand: “One of those who fled left their faucet running. There was flooding on both sides!”

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com