EDITORIAL - No free pass for Floyd Morris

Floyd Morris' elevation to the presidency of the Jamaican Senate is symbolically important.

For whether he wishes to be so or not, Mr Morris is a torch-bearer to many thousands of blind and visually impaired persons in Jamaica and those with others forms of disability. He is symbolic of what can be achieved, despite the odds, by those who persevere.

But perhaps more important, in a society where physical inability is too often presumed to mean diminished intellect, Mr Morris long ago added to the diminution of that myth. Hopefully, and sooner rather than later, it will be totally obliterated.

We should recall that Floyd Morris, 43, has been visually impaired for more than two-thirds of his life and fully blind for the past 20 years. In that time, he has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, served as a junior minister in government, and now is president of the Upper House.

That he has accomplished these things - though not without help - in a society that is not particularly accommodating of people with disabilities is worthy of commendation.

But Mr Morris knows that his physical disability offers him no free or easy pass - certainly not from this newspaper.

First, as honest with himself as we believe he is, Mr Morris would have thought about the practical difficulties he will face in the job and would have devised systems to overcome them.

In any event, the greater demands of the presidency of the Senate are philosophical and moral. They relate to how Mr Morris perceives his office, which will inform how he discharges his authority. In this respect, we hope that Mr Morris had a full and frank discussion with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and perceptive advisers before he accepted her offer.

This newspaper believes that membership of either branch of the legislature, formulating and deliberating on the laws to govern the society, is of itself important. It goes to the core of democracy. Their absence presumes autocratic government, however benign that may be.

Further, being asked to lead any chamber of the legislature is a privilege, to be treated as such. But privilege has added significance when it involves leadership of the Senate, a body where appointed members are afforded the ability to review the legislative action of elected parliamentarians. We expect in this chamber not the politically granular attitude of the elected House, but rather an environment that is considered and cerebral.

It is up to the president of the Senate, in this case Mr Morris, to set that tone. If he gets it right, Mr Morris will have reinforced the worth of an institution in which Jamaicans can have faith - not only for its decorum, but because it will help to shape legislation that enhances the quality of their lives.

This is, in part, what we interpreted from Mr Morris' remarks at his selection when he said: "We, the younger generation, are very anxious to see Jamaica embark on a growth path, and that ties in beautifully with your vision of the Senate being the best Senate since 1962."

Hopefully, Mr Morris has the skills and guts to go all the way. Throwing in the towel will be a devastating signal all round.

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