Lack of shared norms and values

Both the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) know the importance of all of us sharing more-or-less the same norms and values. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson had his Values and Attitudes Campaign, and Prime Minister Golding has the National Transformation Programme, branded "Fresh Start Jamaica".

When we share more-or-less the same norms, values and attitudes (NVAs) it means we have the same vision for ourselves and our country, and we strive towards the same goals. It means that we are all "on the same page", as the saying goes.

If as a nation we don't share more-or-less the same NVAs then we will be a society in conflict, at war with ourselves. The fact that both the PNP and the JLP developed values and attitudes campaigns shows clearly that they are both aware that Jamaicans are not all on the same page and are at war with ourselves. And about that, they are perfectly right.

But it is not enough for us to agree that we need to share the same NVAs; we need to agree on which NVAs we need to share. This must be the subject of public debate, and not be decided by a few people behind closed doors; because every interest group will have its own NVAs it wishes everyone to share.

Fundamentalist Christians will wish their suite of NVAs to be shared, while Catholics and traditional Protestants will have their own different NVAs; atheists and other non-religious people will not wish the NVAs of any of these groups to be shared across the society.

Politicians will wish the citizenry to share NVAs which will make us more governable. Human rights advocates will wish us to respect the rights of all people - including persons suspected of crimes - while some would wish the police to "not recite beatitudes" to suspected persons, and to shoot to kill (as long as it is not them, or their friends and relatives, of course). Some Jamaicans want a decent justice system, including good conditions in our prisons, while others resent prisoners receiving good food and a good education while behind bars.

The private sector wants a free hand to make as much profit as it can, while consumers want low prices. Investors want to be able to build anywhere and to reshape the natural environment so that they can make money, while environmentalists want to conserve natural ecosystems performing useful ecosystem functions.

sharp focus

For me, this past week has revealed in sharp focus how far apart we are in this country as far as norms and values go, and how hypocritical we are as country and a people. Many - I think most Jamaicans - want an end to garrisons and political thuggery and protection rackets, yet neither political party will listen.

Jamaica - in fact the global community - has signed international treaties and protocols which commit us to achieve certain development goals, using certain development approaches - in particular sustainable development. This week the government made announcements about construction projects which will destroy sensitive ecosystems and habitats on the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston and at Font Hill in St Elizabeth. Last month the terrible news was about the impending destruction of the Bengal Cliffs (aka Puerto Bueno Mountain) in St. Ann.

There can be no justification for a four-lane highway between Harbour View and the airport. The traffic flow does not require it, and only one section of the road is subject to flooding during storm surges; a two-lane bridge over that section would have been adequate.

Despite the contents of the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism, the South Coast Sustainable Development Plan and the South-West Coast Development Plan, the government has announced that it will support "high-end tourism and new town development, with beach front, golf courses, and air-strips" on the Font Hill property. Font Hill is a remarkably pristine wildlife habitat. It has spectacular populations of animals and plants found nowhere else in the world. What is the point of planning, of having public consultations and coming to agreement on the type of development and strategies for development we want in our country if they can be easily thrown out the window when investors wave money in the faces of politicians?

There is a limit to what patriotic Jamaicans will put up with. The price we are here being asked to pay for so-called development is too high.

Remember Paul Bogle.

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and a natural resource manager. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com