EDITORIAL - A glimmer of hope

As we approach what is shaping up to be a joyless Christmas season, with murder and mayhem the order of the day, Jamaicans have found one thing to cheer them up. It is Tessanne Chin's voice.

She has sung her way into the hearts of millions and is being eyed as the eventual winner of the American talent show.

So the stage is set for another enthralling battle of six remaining performers, including the 28-year-old Jamaican songbird, on NCB's Emmy-winning show, The Voice, when it resumes next week.

Blessed with powerful vocals, Chin says her ambition is to touch the corners of the globe with her music. Her awesome performances week after week have certainly touched Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.

Before The Voice, some Jamaicans did not know much about the former lead singer of the reggae band, Mile High. She gained valuable experience as a backup singer for reggae legend Jimmy Cliff before launching her solo career and making waves with the single Hideaway. But young and old are now hooked on this top-notch talent show that has been entertaining millions since it began in 2011, as they show support for the local girl. Aside from the Olympics and World Cup Qualifiers, very few events have stirred so much excitement in our society.

We suggest that Jamaicans who aspire to do extraordinary things can learn from all successful people that nothing comes easy. Tessanne Chin, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will all tell the same story of how their success has been built on fundamental pillars: hard work, discipline, rigour, good work ethic, and dedication to their craft.

With some justification, Jamaica is often described as a crime-ridden, corrupt place. But Tessanne has placed Jamaica on the world's cultural map in a positive way. It was simply gratifying to see the studio audience on its feet rocking to the reggae beat last week.

PAINTING A POSITIVE PICTURE

It is way too early to predict the impact Ms Chin's performance will have on our battered image. However, we hope that her performance will continue to paint a positive picture of Jamaica so that visitors will consider the country a desirable destination. Hopefully, she will be the last one standing on December 17 at the grand finale.

The truth is that we cannot continue to depend on our cultural icons to repair Jamaica's poor image. The Government must confront and deal decisively with crime and violence, which has wrought extensive damage to our society. It is obvious that the methods being employed are not working, and the time has come to return to the war room and devise new, 21st-century strategies to defeat the gangs that hold the country hostage. The society has had enough, and is anxious to see the permanent dismantling of these gangs.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.