Home  Editorials Over Jamaica’s 46 years – both pride and shame
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Over Jamaica’s 46 years – both pride and shame |
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Saturday, 02 August 2008 |
Congratulations to Jamaica and Jamaicans on the island’s 46th anniversary of independence from Britain. Forty-six years have certainly gone by quickly, and the memories are still strong of all that has happened to the Jamaican nation and its people over these years. Certainly, a lot has been accomplished by this tiny nation, which despite many hardships has persevered to be one of the strongest democracies in the Western Hemisphere.
Since 1962, Jamaica has regularly and democratically changed governments, although one would have preferred that all the elections were violent free. There have been experiments with different ideologies, notably Democratic Socialism, which although proven to be a poor experiment, the country was able to bounce back from it and embark on the road of free enterprise and relative stability.
While Jamaica has attempted to settle down with the right formula of governance, its people have continued to make outstanding achievements in several fields, particularly in sports and entertainment. Because of these achievements, Jamaica is more of a household name internationally than it was 46 years ago. This is a good reason, among many, for Jamaicans to be proud. Surely, it can be said that never in history has such a small nation accomplished so much on the world’s stage in such a few years.
But, there are also reasons to be ashamed. Mainly, Jamaicans are ashamed because of the blight of crime that has continued to attach its ugly stench to the nation. Successive governments have tried hard to curb the rise of crime, but hardly a dent has been made. As Jamaicans approach this 46th year of its independence, a more determined approach must be made to eradicate crime from the society. This means not only introducing draconian measures to fight crime, but taking steps to eradicate the social problems that help to foster crime and criminals.
Jamaicans cannot be proud of the poverty that still envelopes a large percentage of the nation. At this 46th year the economic climate is bleak, as it is in other parts of the world. But, it’s no excuse to say that hard times are being experienced internationally, so Jamaicans should tolerate this. Ways must be found to alleviate the crippling poverty that some members of the population have experienced almost their entire lives. No Jamaican government can tolerate the fact that some 20 percent of the population can easily feed, clothe, house and educate themselves, while the other 80 percent find these common standards of living a challenge each and every day. Prosperity must extend from the very few to as many of the people as possible.
Still despite all the challenges, the Jamaican flag flies high and strong, and the Jamaican people remain resilient, creative and hopeful with common sense, commitment to fight the challenges and determination to continue to make great achievements. Jamaica and Jamaicans will continue to be a source of pride and influence to the world. Seriously, collectively at home and abroad, there is not much that Jamaicans cannot accomplish to continue to make Jamaica a great, little nation.
Parents, guardians must be more vigilant
News of crime is an everyday occurrence in South Florida, but the recent news of the senseless murder of a teenage girl has made a serious impact on the community. She had been missing for three weeks after which her decomposed body was found behind a dumpster in Broward County.
There’s much to be explained about this crime, which we probably will not know until the authorities do their investigations, but there’s still enough information that should make parents of teenagers more aware of, and concerned about their children activities and whereabouts.
Of course, it is not easy for parents and guardians to monitor their children every moment of the day. Many parents are bogged down with work and consumed with paying the bills, which takes attention away from their children. Unfortunately, teens with time in their hands tend to do what they want. They can also be slick at finding ways around the barriers parents have set up.
The effect of technology, in cell phones, video games, the internet and television is not always positive for teens. This simply means that their activities have to be monitored much closer, and the stakes against indiscipline set much higher. It may not be easy, but liberties like sending a young fourteen year-old teenage girl to overnight at another friends house is simply too risky. Also, isn’t tolerating this fourteen year-old having a romantic affair too liberal? Not that we don’t or shouldn’t trust our teenagers, but as responsible parents and guardians we have to try to minimize the risks out there.
Parents need to set standards and lead their children by example. They should ensure that their children remain satisfied and happy in the home, so they don’t seek this happiness elsewhere, which can endanger and even terminate their young lives. With all the challenges that we face in life as adults, the challenge of successfully raising our children maybe the hardest, but it is one that we must deal with and overcome.
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