Our problems, our solutions - What is national transformation?

Michael Aiken, Contributor

Jamaica - a first-class nation?

The National Transformation Programme hopes for a Jamaica where every citizen becomes a first-class citizen, every citizen a producer, nation builder and valued contributor, and every citizen a peacemaker! If we, as a nation, were able to achieve these three targets, Jamaica would certainly become the place to live, work, raise families and do business.

We can, we must

But can we get there? And how do we get there? First of all, we must believe that we can! Second, we must understand that we must! And third, we must recognise that getting there requires a quantum leap in many areas!

The problem

At present, we are a stratified society. We treat some persons better than others because of name or the perception of power or wealth. We, many times, give bad service to good people whether we work with Government or private sector. We disrespect each other for the slightest of reasons!

Have you ever been to a government agency and felt the sting of impoliteness by those being paid to be polite to you? Have you ever been to a business place and had your money taken with a snarl, instead of a smile, as you made your purchase?

Have you ever had a police officer distress you instead of defend you, as he fulfilled his duty 'to protect and serve'? We do not value each other enough to relate respectfully to each other, even when it is our job to do so! This must be transformed!

The solution - maximum respect!

Renowned American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr urged the government of his time to legislate a transformational solution by making illegal, the entrenched disrespect and disregard of persons of colour in the United States of America.

Appealing to persons who did not agree and who believed that the higher law of love should be enough of a solution, he said, "It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important."

Perhaps it is time for us here in Jamaica to legislate and make illegal all attitudes and actions of disrespect, bad service, impoliteness and 'dutty behaviour', especially if the perpetrator works for a government service-delivery ministry or agency! We can!

Maybe it's time we bombard our nation with 'edutaining' messages and music that celebrate respect, excellent service, politeness and good manners. Perhaps it's time that keeping our jobs is tied to keeping a good attitude on the job! Maybe it's time for you and I to take personal responsibility for attitude! And commit to never again disrespect another human being in this, Jamaica land we love! We must!

Making the quantum leap to 'Every Citizen A First-Class Citizen' means holding each other in the highest esteem, regardless of name, power, wealth, religion, gender, or any other reason except the reason in front of us - each other!

First-class nation

We will become a first-class nation when all classes in this our stratified society become one class. First class! Maximum respect for everyone! That's first-class! That's national transformation ... but it begins with personal action!

What do you think?

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