Changes

Okay everyone. I've been delinquent yet another week. I apologize for being m.i.a. again but things have gotten extremely busy. At this point trying to write weekly isn't panning out. However, since I don't want to just stop blogging, I've decided to adjust my writing to once a month. So the last Friday of each month is when you'll be seeing a post. Thanks for understanding and supporting. I look forward to seeing what you think on the issues.

Apologies

My apologies, everyone.  I won't be making a post this week.  But look out for next week's post.  And you can still make your comments!

Will The Real Parent Please Stand Up?

When I heard the story, I couldn't believe what this so-called father had done. Even now I'm reeling from the heinousness of the incident. A little boy, eight years of age, set on fire by his father. The reason (as if there is any reason behind such an act): he lost a shoe at school.

Now how do you compare a shoe to the life of a child? Is a piece of leather of more value than a human being? And to think that initially the man (I use the term loosely; I think beast seems more appropriate) created a ring of fire around the child - that twice the boy escaped - before he doused him with gasoline. Now the child is suffering from third degree burns on almost 50 percent of his body. Was this some sort of game for the man? This is borderline insanity, if not full-blown. No child - no matter the offense - is deserving of torture.

And then the madness spread. Another story emerged in the news about a girl - age four - who was being abused by her step-mother. It was reported that she had lacerations all over her body, her lip was bruised (apparently from being boxed in the face), and that she walked with a limp.

I don't think many persons truly understand what it means to be a parent (in this case maybe I should add human being). You don't have to be one to know that it's not just about bearing or fathering a child. Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines a parent as not only one "who begets or brings forth offspring" but also one "who brings up and cares for another." Cares. I can't stress this word enough. A child is not a thing or property; therefore the way you treat this innocent being cannot be like how you would treat a pair of old shoes.

Being a parent is a privilege; but it is also a responsibility. For those who don't know how to balance both, leave the parenting to someone else.

No More Daggerin'!

No more daggerin'! That was the directive coming from the Broadcasting Commission last weekend - a directive that took immediate effect. The Commission has made it clear that any song that makes reference to the act of "daggering" (hard-core sex), or suggests such activity, is no longer to be aired via radio, televsion, or cable service. And I say a resounding "Amen" for the decision made. I'm not sure what prompted the Commission to take this step but it was long overdue.

Now, the issue of dancehall music and it's influence will forever remain a heated debate. But I firmly believe that the messages conveyed in most songs, especially the more modern dancehall hits, are vulgar and abrasive. Vybz Kartel's "Rampin Shop", one of the more recent controversial hits, featuring dancehall artist Spice, is proof of this fact. I'm glad it and other songs with expletives and explicit sexual content will be taken off the air. When children as young as four are singing the song from memory, how can anyone sit still? What kind of message are we sending when we expose such graphic material to the innocent? If this is considered acceptable, we might as well start handing out condoms in primary schools.

Again, I applaud the Broadcasting Commission for their stance. I do, however, wonder why it took so long for them to take such measures. Afterall, there have been other songs that contained explicit lyrics that made it across the airwaves (though edited) so, why just now? And what about soca music? The question was raised by others as well and I too have questions about this type of music. Yes, different words; but same message. Will soca also receive zero air play? What about carnival time when revellers fill the streets and the music (accompanied by the familiar gyrating moves) is played for all to hear? What then?

Lay-offs Not The Only Solution

When the dollar slides as rapidly as it has over the last week or two, you know things are pretty bad with the economy. Up to yesterday, it took almost J$90 to buy US$1. By next week who knows what the rate will be.

Since the state of the global economy made headlines, we knew hard times were ahead. And the inevitable (arguably necessary) "evil" occured: lay-offs. At the very mention of possible redundacies, the nail biting begins. Clearly this is not something to look forward to, especially in a time of economic strain compared to that of the US Great Depression of the early 1900's. Unfortunately, there are some organizations that seem to have no choice but to cut staff. And when we look around, we wonder, where are these people going to go? How will they take care of their needs and their family's needs? These are a couple questions among many that we have difficulty answering. However, all is not lost. While some organizations may be cutting staff, there are several companies that have employed alternative measures to help their workers. 

Last week it was reported that employees at Berger Paints agreed to take a 20% pay cut in order to maintain their jobs. Other companies have applied the same and other strategies to help their workers keep their jobs. I thought this was a satisfactory move and believe that if other businesses can follow suit they should, especially since it's been reported that over 3,000 workers have been made redundant since January. 

Saving jobs, I think, should be priority. Yes, things are strained now but I've decided to approach the situation with optimism: it will get better. So in the mean time, if it means salary-cuts, certain benefit reductions, and other cost-cutting measures have to be implemented, I believe it must be done. And reading an article in today's Gleaner, PSOJ president, Christopher Zacca, made a very important point about the lay-offs that all organizations should well note:

" 'When you look at cutting cost and becoming more productive, you don't start with jobs. Jobs can't be the first place you look. It has to be a part of an overall package that has to depend on a particular scenario in each business….I have read in the Economist recently that businesses should be cautioned against taking out too much and disseminating their organisations and reducing their strengths; because we will come out of this, and you don't want to go into a growth phase with a destroyed organisation.' "

 

Silence Is Not An Option

A tragic story made headline news earlier this week about a grandmother and her three grandchildren (all under five years of age) who were all burned alive in their home. And this was no accident. After kicking the door open late Sunday night, and shooting the lady, the house was set on fire by one or more persons. Based on reports, this was the method chosen to handle an alleged long-standing disagreement between the grandmother and some other individuals.

What have we become? Is this how we solve problems? By killing our children and our grandparents? No matter the dispute - even if the lady had initiated it - there's no excuse for murder. How can anyone be so depraved? And the question resonates in my mind: can it get any worse?

Sadly, we live in a society where the innocent (especially children) fall prey to ruthless, calculating men far too often. Yet so many times murderers walk free; and while some crimes uncover the perpetrator(s) through forensics, others require the testimonies of witnesses so that justice can be served. 

We absolutely must take a stand. Silence is not an option. Washing out the blood stains from his clothes doesn't rinse away the pain from empty hearts. Hiding the gun for him doesn't keep it from destroying lives.  We may think we are keeping ourselves and others safe by remaining close-mouthed but we are accomplishing the exact opposite. And if you doubt, remember that grandmother and her three grandchildren.

Need For Unity

"Now you can hear it in the morning (Obama!), and you can hear it inna the evening (Obama!), Black man and white woman shouting (Obama!)...." Even before Coco Tea put his name to a catchy reggae beat, persons around the world already chanted the name. There was a sense of renewed hope during Barack Obama's campaign that crescendoed with his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States.

The anticipated Obama administration not only brought about hope but also unity. No matter the political persuasion, there was a oneness among the over 1 million present at the swearing in of President Obama. There was no mistaking the sense of togetherness, of shared hope for a better, brighter future. And while there is cause for worry - considering the current economic crisis - President Obama has encouraged his fellow Americans through his "yes we can" mantra to join in the effort - no matter which party you voted for - to build the nation.

While reflecting on how Obama was able to reach members and supporters of both political parties, I couldn't help but consider our government and its influence on the Jamaican people. The truth is no matter how the prime minister or the opposition leader appeal for an end to political tribalism, if they do not display unity among themselves, how must the rest of the nation follow suit? The division is strikingly evident in the media where, for example, we oftentimes observe verbal battles across the floor in parliament. When phrases such as, "tek weh yuself" and "shut yuh mout!" are hurled from one side to the other, it makes me ponder the kind of persons we have elected into positions of leadership.

As children live what they learn, we too are influenced by the leadership of our country. If discord is what we see on a regular basis, then that is the same behavior that we will project. And the disunity between supporters of either party will only perpetuate itself.

It's time the two parties rise above their differences and focus on what is best for the people. True, the oppostion's function in the most basic sense means that it will have differing views from that of the ruling party; however, a more bi-partisan approach can be achieved on varying issues. And when a compromise cannot be reached, then they can simply "agree to disagree" in a more acceptable manner.

At the end of the day, the government has a responsibility to lead with dignity and integrity, ensuring that its actions are solely for the betterment of the nation and its people.

Nothing In Life Is Free

Nothing in life is free. You've heard the saying before. Some may believe these to be the words of a pessimist. Others, perhaps, see them as a testament to the realities of life.

Not very long ago, our Prime Minister announced that health care would be free at all public hospitals. With this declaration came mixed reactions from the public. There were those who applauded this decision. After all, how many persons can really afford the type of treatment they may need? This seemed like the solution to the problem.

Then there were the naysayers. And among them was yours truly. In my mind's eye, the road ahead looked bleak. Free health care to me equalled over-crowded hospitals; over-worked, under-paid staff; poor work ethic; sub-standard conditions. Pessimistic? Maybe. Far from the truth? Not exactly.

I went to a public hospital recently to visit an inpatient and saw the evidence. If there was a doctor on duty at all, there was probably only one. While it is a large facility, I still did not understand why I could not speak with one physician the hour or more I was there.

As it relates to sanitary conditions, I can't speak to the other wards, but this particular one seemed to be in need of a thorough clean. Furthermore - to my disgust - the area where the individual was had a trail of fecal matter on the floor. Had one of the persons who accompanied me not seen it, I would have stepped right in the mess.

While there, I kept glancing over my shoulder to see if someone would come and clean it up. But people kept passing by, warned by patients and visitors alike to watch their step. A nurse even trekked passed, obviously preoccupied with attending to patients' needs. Needless to say, the trail remained even as we left the ward. And as we exited, not far away in the corridor, there were housekeeping personnel, caught up in a conversation seemingly more important than ensuring that the wards remained sanitary.

Initially, I was angry. Why weren't they doing their jobs? Is this what they were being paid to do? Sit and chat? Then my previous thoughts surfaced. What about their working conditions? What resources are being made available to them? What is the housekeeper-to-ward ratio like? Could they have been working double for the same wage?

The sequence popped back into my head. Free health care = over-crowded hospitals; over-worked, under-paid staff; poor work ethic; sub-standard conditions. It all comes back to the fact that nothing in life is free. It may not cost you in terms of monetary value but it will cost, draining you of equally valuable resources: time, energy, quality of work, reliability, self-respect, discipline - all of which has a ripple effect more far-reaching than we may realize.

Stop, Look, Listen

Recently, a story about a woman who found $1 million (Jamaican)  in an ATM in the Portmore Mall made it to the front page of the Jamaica Gleaner (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081229/lead/lead1.html).  Initially, a co-worker mentioned the story to me and I was very impressed with the lady's honesty and integrity (qualities that are unfortunatley lacking today).  However, later on when I actually read the article, the elation I experienced earlier quickly vanished. While this woman sought to do the right thing by alerting someone else (who, coincidently - or perhaps I should say providentially - was a police officer), others ridiculed and "cussed" her.  I couldn't imagine why any well-thinking Jamaican would do that.

That same evening, I was with a group of persons and the same story came up in conversation. Most said they would have taken the money or at least some of it.  They felt she was foolish for turning down what they believed to be a blessing from God.  A couple admitted they would feel guilty for taking it had they been in the same position; but ultimately they would have had no intention of reporting it.

The second verse of our national anthem begins "Teach us true respect for all, stir response to duty's call." Stir response to duty's call.  Note the second line. We all sing it. At sporting events and other social functions; yet when called upon to act, to do the honorable thing, we turn a blind eye.

In situations like these, the true character of an idividual is revealed. If so many persons felt angered by this woman's honesty, to the point of suggesting " 'jook out her eye!' ", what are the implications for us as a people? Already crime and corruption have overrun our land and we feel the effects of it every day.  Nonetheless, we shoot down and trample upon the actions of someone who won't contribute to the ongoing problem.

Day after day we cry "justice!" But is that truly what we seek? How can we, when on one hand we plead with gunmen to cease terrorizing our communities and on the other we all but physically attack a woman for doing good? As simple as taking the money may appear, the ramifications far outweigh the momentary pleasure felt when helping yourself to a few (hundred) "Manleys".  

We need to stop, look, and listen.  Stop - perform an evaluation. Ask yourself: where am I (are we) heading as an individual (as a people)?  Look - examine the evidence. The wave of crime and violence didn't happen overnight.  It grew from the "little" indiscretions, like white lies, and was nurtured by our indifference.  Listen - listen to the cries of parents, of children; listen to the counsel of our fellow Jamaicans; listen to your conscience.  Wrong is wrong - no matter the complexion, intelligence level, or socio-economic status.  We must begin to realize this and correct the problem before we plunge into a state of utter chaos. 

Welcome

Welcome to the A Jamaican For Justice blog! So many times we have ideas and we set goals but somewhere along the way the we get cold feet. We think "does this really make sense?", "how will I get it done?", "am I in over my head?" 

At the dawn of each new year most, if not all of us, feel confident, buoyant,  re-energized for the road ahead. I've decided to harness this optimism for 2009. Will I be able to accomplish what I set out to do? Of course! I believe my goals and ideas are reasonable and attainable. And this is the fuel that sparked the fire that provoked me to start this blog.

A Jamaican For Justice is simply weekly commentary on the social and political framework of Jamaican society, with reference to a particular story, situation or idea that may surface in the media. Overtly displayed, or not, injustice - any form of wrongdoing - is reprehensible. Every day there is something that reminds me of how far we have allowed our values, our morals, to fall. We all have a voice, no matter the pitch, that can be used to bring about awareness, inspire insightful conversation, encourage transformation. I hope to achieve this through my blog. Keep your eyes peeled every Friday, beginning January 9, 2009, as I raise my voice on the issues and share my concerns. Enjoy!