Is bad the new good?

In Greek mythology, the apple of discord was promised, delivered and created chaos and even war. Here in Jamaica, there is too much discord, chaos and an undeclared war.

The many wanted the state of emergency, the few pirouetted in Parliament and elsewhere. We do not seem capable of agreeing about the critical issues in the nation's life. The principals of schools have explained that the shortfall from the Ministry of Education's subvention has to be met or the standards will fall even further. Theminister speaks about being creative while the prime minister describes some schools' efforts as extortion.

We seem to have forgotten how to be in agreement about what is important. We need a new consensus about the present and the future or this country or we will continue to be broke and begging. The idea of Jamaica becoming a first-world country isgrowing dimmer, and we seem to be stuck with underdevelopment and the related rhetoric.

Size is not the problem, as Barbados and Singaporeare smaller. We seem to be growing more and more cantankerous and ready to kill each other.

This period of emancipation and Independenceshould be a time of reflection about how we are going to get out of the terrible mess. I know so many excellent youngpeoplewho have overcome the odds, got a university or high school education but cannot find any work. I know so many elderly Jamaicans who worked hard for the country in their youth but cannot pay the light bills, cannot pay for their medication and are facing penury.

What on earthis the vision of the leaders of the country? Is it to fatten their pockets and those of their cronies? Is it to borrow money from as many sources as possible to spend on dubious projects for purposes of patronage? Is the Parliament the place where the politicians trace and curse each other and help to create an uncivil society? Is bad the new good? Do we have any standards when we are in the Guinness Book of Records for the theft of a beach full of sand? What are we saying when the front pages of our newspapers are adorned with nearly naked young women?

Frivolous

I am not amused when I see that the women of this country are 'preckehfied' and depicted as frivolous and full of 'so-so froth' like milk boiling over on to the stove. I know that there are women who will see nothing wrong with this. Have you seen women in advanced countries being constantly depictedin these ways?

I hope that in my lifetime we will get on to the same page and organise to go in the direction which will take us to peace and prosperity.We have to find a way to be in accord with one another.

I am, etc.,

Hilary Robertson-Hickling (Dr)

hilary.hickling@gmail.com

UWI, Mona