My red shirt

Recently, I used this column to complain that the prime minister was sending the wrong message to our people, and especially to our future leaders. Ignoring the Constitution of Jamaica and allowing five members of his political party to be nominated, elected and sit in Parliament in breach of the Constitution, was wrong. I also wrote that this was the same (previously ignored) Constitution that was used selectively in the extradition matter while all hell broke loose and billions in income was lost along with dozens of lives. I further complained that allowing an often hostile and disrespectful politician to carry on with political business as usual was wrong.

I always look forward to and respect the feedback that readers submit directly to me or to the newspaper. Obviously, not everyone agrees with everything that I write. If the feedback is particularly rude, demeaning or offensive, I have learnt to respond with measured admonition or to let it go. If the feedback is outrageous, I do not dignify it with a response.

However, there was one ridiculous feedback to 'Wrong message, Mr PM' that got my attention. It was indicative of the pernicious disease of the nasty kind of politics that perpetually wreaks havoc and suffering on our little nation. Whenever someone openly criticises a government or a major political party, he/she is usually branded as a member of the opposing party. This dangerous, backward attitude promulgates separatism, insularism, protectionism and, eventually, violence. It seeks to divide and rule, to shut up the dissenters even if they criticise constructively.

In the past, I have received email with statements like: "I really do not want to accuse you of politicking, but you make it hard not to do so ... ." This veiled threat seeks to intimidate and silence. In response to 'Wrong message, Mr PM', someone wrote, "Only one thing missing from this piece is your RED SHIRT" ... obviously suggesting that I was so far from the green (Jamaica Labour Party) that I careened past orange (People's National Party) and went into the red (non-existent Communist Party). To infer that I belong to any political party simply because I commented on a blatant problem is mesmerising.

a change of colour

I must thank the author of that ridiculous statement, because it reminds me of a story about the captain of a merchant ship way back in the 18th century. Whenever pirates intercepted his vessel, he would call for his red shirt before engaging and repelling them. After several months of this, the curious cabin boy asked his captain why he always called for his red shirt before doing battle. The captain whispered that he did this so that, if he were ever wounded, his crew would not know (red blood and red shirt) and they would fight on bravely.

Unfortunately, one day five pirate ships ambushed and encircled the merchant ship - there was no way out of this one. The cabin boy looked expectantly to his captain for his usual instruction but, this time, the captain softly commanded, "Bring my brown pants."

For the sake of present and future generations, I encourage my fellow citizens of Jamaica to ignore the worshippers of holy cows and slaves to enlightened self-interest. Speak up and be prepared to wear red shirts to disguise the metaphorical wounds from critical barbs that seek to dissuade us from our comments. If we remain silent, we may be forced to wear brown pants to disguise what would naturally follow if we witnessed the sad and perhaps cataclysmic demise of this beautiful nation because of turpitude, corruption and a nasty brand of politics.

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