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!