Jamaica and a crisis of values

Delano Franklyn, GUEST COLUMNIST

The social and moral decline in the Jamaican society is the most important issue facing us as a nation. It ranks above the challenges in the economy, the education sector and that of crime and violence, although the level of crime and violence is also a reflection of the moral decadence which prevails.

In 1994, then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson launched a values and attitudes programme. This was an initiative aimed at instilling more positive values in Jamaicans. The programme gained traction initially but later fizzled.

Unfortunately, and regrettably, some dubbed it as political, and this prevented many ordinary and well-intended Jamaicans from taking part in the programme.

In 1998, Professor Don Robotham, while delivering the GraceKennedy Foundation Lecture, stated, "We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the values of the Jamaican people and that one critical aspect of this shift is an abandonment of altruistic attitudes and replacement of these by a narrow individualism based on shallow understanding of what a market economy necessitates."

Professor Robotham describes, in 1998, the situation as reaching crisis proportion. This, he said, was based on his personal, everyday experience of the quality of our social interactions.

He opined, "There is a sense that the common bond amongst ourselves as citizens is becoming weaker and weaker; that altercations can develop at any moment; that people hurl abuse at one another in the most violent language in response to what seems to be insignificant misunderstandings; that simple politeness and civility are perceived to be a fatal display of weakness, and that people indulging in coarse and vulgar behaviour are not even aware that it is coarse and vulgar behaviour."

Now 20 years after the failed values and attitudes programme, P.J. Patterson, while addressing the Rotary Club of Spanish Town on May 27, 2014, conveyed to its members that the country's social and moral situation has deteriorated beyond belief. There are a few points on which we can agree based on the observations of both P.J. Patterson and Professor Don Robotham:

1. That Jamaica has been facing a moral crisis for quite some time.

2. That this moral crisis cuts across all social, political and economic classes.

3. That despite all the efforts by the authorities, rather than getting better, the situation is getting worse.

While it can be argued that Jamaica's economic situation warrants decisive action to stimulate sustained growth with equity, it will not happen unless we recalibrate the country's moral compass.

Employment and money are important as sources of identity, status and dignity, but this can come about only in a social context with rules, norms, shared values, mutual respect and mutual trust adopted and appreciated by each citizen.

I agree that the administration of law and economic prosperity provides a necessary platform for the development of our country. However, this is not sufficient. This must be underpinned with a sense of moral obligation and with a sense of duty towards society.

The decline in sociability in Jamaica and the increase in crass and uncivilised behaviour have led to an undermining of shared values among our citizens.

Double standards

Perhaps the most debilitating and contentious aspect of our drifting moral compass is the double standard that exists in our society.

I cite a few examples:

1. During carnival celebrations in Jamaica, a section of our society bares it all, leaving nothing to the imagination. There seems to be a quiet acceptance of this type of behaviour by those who shape opinions and views in the society. On the other hand, a section of the society influenced by the genre of dancehall music and who dare to bare it all comes under unrestrained criticism by many.

2. There are well-heeled persons in Jamaica who engage in the practice of the illegally abstraction of electricity without having to suffer the indignity of collective punitive action. They seem to be viewed in a different way from those from certain other parts of the country who are also found engaged in the illegal abstraction of electricity.

3. There are entertainers who are charged for serious crimes, including murder and rape, who are elevated and promoted and given unprecedented exposure by the media. One such entertainer, who was charged for rape, found guilty and served his time, is called upon, from time to time, by members in the media to give of his views on current events in the entertainment industry, with no mention of his background, so that the unsuspecting can know about his past.

4. One well-known member of the sport fraternity who was charged and found guilty some years ago for fraudulently depriving a company of millions of dollars is invited, at different times, to be an analyst by various media outlets.

5. A prominent head of one of our schools is reported, based on an investigation, to have breached a number of regulations at that institution, yet he is still given pride of place by the chattering classes as if he committed no wrong.

These are just a few examples of the double standards that have occurred and that create a serious challenge in our efforts to tackle the moral deterioration in literally every sector of the society.

PLAYING OUR PARTY

Jamaica will only prosper and become the nation that it can be when we restore the country to one of positive values and attitudes. Every sector of the society must play its part in helping to bring back civilised behaviour in all that we do.

These include:

The political parties in their choice of candidates and representatives who act and speak on their behalf. The onus is even more so on the party that forms the Government. Nothing must be done or seen to be done to send a mixed signal to the populace as it relates to the ethical and moral efficacy of these representatives. No one under the radar of the police and who is believed to be engaged in illegal activities must be elected or appointed to any position of prominence in a political party. On the contrary, the party must do everything to distance itself from such persons.

Our education system, which is the national catchment for more than one million persons on a day-to-day basis, inclusive of students and teachers, must find ways and means to wage a systematic and sustained campaign against the social and moral deterioration taking place.

Our churches, despite religious and philosophical differences, must unite and find common ground to help pull our country back from the social and moral dilemma in which it finds itself.

Our corporate bodies must be in the forefront of promoting ethically correct and sound moral behaviour. GraceKennedy must be commended for the implementation of its 'good governance guideline'. More companies must follow this example.

The proliferation of media houses, in the context of freedom of expression, must be more sensitive to what they transmit and broadcast, particularly to our children and youth, who are themselves confused by the double standards that exist in the society.

We must all seek to get back to a sense of community building through our various clubs and national organisations. We need to nurture a wholesome community, which promotes civility, compassion and mutual respect, thus leading to the moral order we all desire.

It is important for the entire nation to preserve what we have left of our shared values. We all have a duty to rescue the country from the corrosive behaviour of those among us. We must focus on rebuilding our social values in order to achieve wealth creation and economic stability.

Delano Franklyn is an attorney-at-law and adviser in the Office of the Prime Minister. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.

Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (right) and David Dobson, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Spanish Town, laugh heartily during a weekly meeting held at Police Officers' Club on May 27.