Politicians neglecting support bases

Dennie Quill, Columnist

The fervour for politics displayed by many inner-city communities is mystifying. Yesterday, I drove through one Kingston community where party flags were fluttering in the breeze, marking the territory for one of our major political parties. Chances are the residents will give solid support to their political candidate on election day.

Along the main thoroughfare, there were several mounds of rotting rubbish, a dead dog lay festering in the heat, while the usual cluster of young men and women gathered to shoot the breeze. Old, decrepit buildings appeared to be occupied, as one could see activity within the yards. The blighted appearance of this community demonstrated to me how the fabric of so many inner-city communities has become threadbare.

These communities tell a story of neglect. Although our political parties have been erecting trenchant defence of their performance, inner-city communities give the lie to such claims. For decades, our political leadership has lacked the imagination and creativity to arrest the decay in these communities and transform them into pockets of beauty and productivity.

And it is not about the harsh economic times, because in times of plenty there is no marked difference in their appearance. As we are in the festive season when people try to spruce up their surroundings, the dire look and feel of this community reminded me of the song that says: "Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto?"

How people can so easily brush off decades of neglect and even contemplate voting, often for the same representative, is what puzzles me deeply. A political representative should leave footprints in the constituency he/she represents. And instead of voting slavishly for a party or its representatives, constituents should examine their records.

Ever wonder why this country has seen so much passionate protest emanating from our inner cities? It seems the persons in many of these communities no longer feel they can rely on political representatives. Often they take to the streets to rail about poor roads, lack of sanitation, and police brutality.

Crying out for better

Although their screaming is sometimes incoherent, if we take the time to listen carefully, we will hear them saying: We want more. We want a better life. We deserve a future for our children.

For all the pent-up fury in the inner city, it does not appear that December 29 will be a cathartic event for so many people who are mired in poverty and blight. They will likely don their party shirts and, armed with party paraphernalia, head to the voting booths for more of the same.

So after the election, what awaits these communities? For too long we have avoided engaging in an honest discussion about this most pressing issue. Since the leaders of the two major political parties represent poor inner-city communities, it should not be difficult to get this discussion started.

How will recovery come to the inner cities? This a conversation in which the entire nation should be engaged.

I submit that recovery will only come when each of us can put our feet in the shoes of the poor. Scores of us from all sectors of society, by our efforts, can bring about the desired renewal.

The new government cannot afford to pay lip service to the plight of the poor. A clear sense of what it hopes to achieve must be articulated very early.

Dennie Quill is a veteran media practitioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and denniequill@hotmail.com.