The power of Independence

For Jamaica to become a really independent country, there are some critical thoughts and actions we must take. We cannot expect to fund our development with loans and other financial resources derived from the citizens and wealth of other countries. When I read of the 'beggings' from South Korea, I thought about the expression 'beg water cannot boil cow foot'.

Many Jamaicans expect to live off remittances provided by people working around the clock in England, Canada, the USA and elsewhere. When has this become a country of mendicants who must be the laughing stock of those who we constantly ask for loans and grants?

As the recession deepens, we are going to be forced to eat what we grow and live on our own earnings. As we become less competitive in the world, we are going to have our backs against the wall. Our athletes, coaches and administrators demonstrate that they can successfully compete at the highest level. They train hard, work within the rules and travel the world to make a living during the window of their youth and fitness. We need to learn from and support this group which is teaching us some very valuable lessons.

We need to think for ourselves and stop receiving wisdom from some magical place out there. The majority of Jamaicans continue to be at a strong disadvantage as they expect to be led by people who wear partisan political lenses,as opposed to patriotic lenses. For the party faithful, Jamaica is a pie to be divided among them, and as the pie gets smaller, the crabs in the barrel fight harder. If we could only expand the horizons and the action to create more opportunities for more people, the opposite results would be possible.

Mistakes bedevilling us

We are now being forced to reckon with the mistakes and half-truths which have bedevilled us since Independence. We are on our own and we have to create employment.

We also have to respect ourselves and who we are as this is the most valuable resource we have. The 'browning' debate continues to underscore a deeply held view about racial superiority and inferiority. I hope that Miss Universe, Miss Angola, will visit Jamaica during her reign to remind us about what is possible. A self-respecting country cannot expect to portray its women as harlots, and although sex sells, some of the advertisements shown by our corporate giants are distasteful.

I am happy to see that there are some who are reminding us of how small a minority of women are deemed worthy to be leaders across the public and private sectors. There have to be sober voices to encourage us about creating a generation of secure, self-confident and responsible Jamaicans capable of creating a land we can truly love.

Loving our country is growing more difficult for the members of recent generations who are 'sucking salt' in war-torn communities, where they live under the boot of oppression by the bad men and the State. Some live as hostages who determine that stigma will follow them from their communities so that they cannot get jobs or live outside our versions of the hated Bantustans of apartheid South Africa where black people were confined by the State.

Neglected, forgotten

A recent trip to Tredegar Park, passing Lauriston, gave me the feeling that some parts of Jamaica had been forgotten by the authorities: bad roads, uncollected garbage and the need for a permanent police post. Patriotism is not an empty concept; it is based upon a sense that the citizen matters more than just a vote, a family and a community. I am happy to see the wonderful performance of the athletes provoking pride and patriotism. Where the athletes do wrong, we need to correct them with love and encouragement. Many represent those very communities which have been forgotten. How dare we claim their success when we collectively have contributed little to their health, well-being and success.

Jamaica needs a radical makeover to turn around the structures, systems, thinking and personalities which have brought us to this place. Only then can we have a really independent country. We do not need other heroes when those which we identified at Independence are treated with disrespect, their birthplaces are neglected, and we treat their sacrifice with superficiality and shallowness.

It is time to speak the truth, as some of those we now want to name as heroes had to leave the country to make a living. Independence should be reflective, preparing us to succeed.

Hilary Robertson-Hickling is a lecturer at the UWI, Mona. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and hilary.hickling@gmail.com.