Election time gets people caught in Anancy’s web

THE EDITOR, Sir:

If there is one event that exemplifies chicanery and razzle-dazzle of Anancyism, it is the election time, which, for many, is like Christmas. But election periods are really about infusing hope where there is nothing there to be filled, just empty bags and rolling barrels.

Yet, it is the time of making the masses lose their heads in believing that hospital services will be improved over the next few years to state-of-the-art operations. Promises that people will be properly housed, employed, well fed, and no one will be left behind – teachers or nurses would not have to seek a better life abroad. That health insurance for the poor will be available, and the cry of pensioners and those getting no justice will be heard and their problems addressed.

It’s an occasion that is weaved in to yank the spirit of the ghetto community from despair, where the political candidates stop to ‘bruck a slice of dry bread and sip a little bush tea’ with the residents under a bent-back, zinc shack. Or they will be seen eating a piece of chicken back from the family’s one pot.

No uptown-downtown dichotomy any more – for Anancyism is back. It is during the election period that promises are made to fix things, a lot of attention is gained in media – on television, radio, newspapers, etc. Election is Anancy shop, where a slew of promises can undo years of non-performance and frustration – as roads get resurfaced, mixed in with the politics and slogans and advertisements.

As the they raise their heads high, new reasons to rejoice: “For various crimes like murders, rape and looting will be contained and reversed over the next few weeks or months to come, and the national GDP will reach new highs for the next fiscal year!”

The cycle of promises continue, and people continue to be entangled in Anancy’s web.

HOMER SYLVESTER

Mount Vernon

New York