LETTER OF THE DAY: 'The water is troubled'

THE EDITOR, Sir:

HERE ARE some considerations towards a long-term solution to our national plague of crime.

Our practice of politics and religion influences the tone of national criminality. Our children and youth are soaking up the current disgraceful happenings perpetrated by our leaders in the manner in which they are dealing with the issues related to extradition, gunrunning, drug-pushing, among others. In due course, this generation of children and youth will respond. Criminal elements born out of this current leadership saga will unleash on the nation a backlash of deviance and crime which will make the current wave appear to be no more than a ripple. We are heading towards hotter water.

How our leaders resolve this crisis will significantly determine the national future. Believe it or not, the next generation is watching and learning. The debates, accusations, defense, delaying tactics and self-justifications are largely lacking in intelligence. Our children are shocked and ashamed at the feeble, mindless, partisan- driven positions and expressions coming from our leaders.

There is hope, however. Believe it or not, the current political crisis, which has given rise to this national shock and disgrace, creates an opportunity, a defining moment for our people and leaders to start the process of halting Jamaica's reckless drive towards the deep pits. 'The water is troubled, my friend'.

Stopping the treacherous drive is a long, difficult and perilous process, but for there to be a halt we must engage the brakes. Rubber burning is unavoidable. Brake pads will wear. We have to replace them.

'suspend' their leadership

All our parliamentarians and national leaders are to 'suspend' their leadership portfolios pending the outcome of their own review of their motives for becoming leaders. Leaders are to review the motivating factors for their continued service. They are to evaluate their competence to honour and deliver their stewardship as servants. They are to assess the nation's overall progress as a result of their leadership. Importantly, they should grade themselves against the yardstick of the impact their behaviour is having on our children and youth.

Church leaders should do the above evaluation, but their review should also be done in the face of sovereignty.

It would be a significant signal if this self-evaluation actually took place and the sheets completed and none remained blank or unfinished. For there to be an end there must be a beginning. The plague will not disappear if the prime minister resigns. The entire national construct needs a remake, sector by sector. 'The water is troubled.' All Jamaicans need to be immersed in a conscientious and systematic manner.

The process of healing and renewal will begin when our leaders make their own confessions to themselves as to whether they have earned the designation 'honourable'. Leaders are to explain the necessity, importance, challenges and responsibilities of leadership to our children. Leaders are to share with their own children and their neighbours' children, and their relatives' children and then publicly to our nation's children, and youth any shortcomings in their leadership competence, honesty and humility. They are then to express to our children and youth their resolve to correct any deficiency.

Our children and youth are watching and waiting. They wish to learn from our leaders other things apart from incompetence, arrogance, misrepresentations and deception.

I am, etc.,

Owen Williams

owilliams@caribsurf.com

Barbados