This editorial is being dedicated to the youth in our community. Over the past few days several colleges and high schools in Florida held gradation ceremonies. To many who graduated these now high-ended productions seem to make them dizzy with the realization of the moment. As we heard one high school graduate shout to his peers as he tossed his graduation cap onto the air, “Wowie, me a man now. Look at me, I am stepping.”

We fully understand the sense of euphoria that this young man, and others feel, at coming to the end of their high school journey. We too felt that euphoria for what seems like several lifetimes ago. But we want to caution him, and all the other graduates, that while we offer our congratulations on a achieving a very important milestone, this is only the beginning of a very important journey. Indeed, life promises you, the youth, a series of graduations, for which you must be prepared.

Whether you are graduating from high school, or college, there is a whole long life ahead. In this real world the certificates, diplomas or degrees you received this past week are not passports to success. These are just a few of the many instruments that you need to make life successful.

Along with the piece of paper you so rightly earned, you must now concentrate on building character – the kind that is underscored by a high sense of responsibility. One of the greatest responsibilities that you must realize is that you, the youth of today, must be prepared to be the adults, the leaders of tomorrow. Even with GPA’s over 5 points, even with honor degrees, nothing is promised. There is still work to be done to be leaders – leaders of your family, leaders of your community, leaders in your careers and, leaders in the way you live your life.

Too many of our youth are too satisfied to fall into the trap of being followers in those things that are negative and destructive. The world has seen too many negatives, too many antisocial groups and types of behavior. The world simply has too many followers of the negatives.

All you graduates have an awesome mission to make a positive change in this world. Fortunately, your ancestors have created much methodology and technology that are available to you to become productive and responsible adults. We, the so-called baby boomers, have tried to pave the way for you. Now we give you the chance to make your life worthwhile and the world a better place.

We wish for you a series of successful and proud graduations as you progress in this challenging life. We implore you to tread wisely, and to never make failure an option.

The Jamaican Diaspora Movement

Two years ago, amidst much fanfare a Jamaican Diaspora Foundation was launched in Kingston, Jamaica. This was a result of serious brainstorming and planning by the Jamaican government, opposition party, private sector, and Jamaicans overseas.

Many people thought that this movement would be a tremendous mechanism to rally Jamaicans oversees to unite as a people in the respective overseas communities, and in seeking to create stronger linkages with their homeland.

Today, as Jamaicans overseas prepare for a renewed meeting of Diaspora delegates in Kingston, it would appear that there is much more divisiveness than unity in the movement. Instead of the community bonding as a group, it is leaning towards the type of divisiveness that only miracles can remove.

In jost of the major overseas communities there is discontentment about the composition of the delegates slated to attend the conference. Criticism is rampant and accusations are being tossed around like soft balls. This is all such a great pity. It’s a very poor reflection on the ability of the Jamaican community to work together. But something seems to be radically wrong with the entire system.

In our opinion the entire structure of the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation needs to be revised. There is instant need for building a tight and effectively structured organization, with clearly defined operational systems for, among other things, selecting delegates to the bi-annual conference, in electing overseas Diaspora board members, and in formalizing policies to be adhered to by the overseas members of the Diaspora Foundation. The apex of this organization must be placed in a defined Diaspora Office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the Diaspora movement escalates, there may be even need to be a cabinet position for a Minster of the Diaspora.

In the absence of clearly defined systems and processes too many people are being subject to too many attacks. It is sad that because of the lack of such systems, what we regard as clearly unfair criticisms, are being thrown at officers of the movement. Much more needs to done, and when it is realized that many Jamaicans overseas do not even know what the Diaspora movement is all about, then the Jamaican government, who is taking the impact of its Diaspora on national development very seriously, must realize the urgency of establishing a formidable organizational structure, with clearly defined systems, processes and policies.