Jamaicans are known to be aggressive, passionate, multi-talented individuals who strive to be the best at whatever they set their minds to. More often than not, we don't simply settle for being good at something, we want to dominate. We see that in sports(eg. Usain, Shelly-Ann, Asafa, Chris Gayle, bobsled team, Sunshine Girls, Reggae Boyz). Also, in areas challenging wits, such as Spelling Bee (Jody-Ann Maxwell), our many accomplished pilots, entrepreneurs and scientists.
Sadly, the stories we hear daily are those of individuals who are easily misled into thinking that crime pays or making a quick buck from chatting garbage wrongfully molding the weak minds of the gullible. I was watching "American Gangster: The Jamaican Shower Posse" recently, and it documented the gangs resolve to not only establish themselves in the drug and gun trade but impose a hostile takeover, killing all who stood in their way.
In more recent times, we see where several communities, labeled garrisons, are being ruled by gangs or just one don with a loyal following. Garrisons have adapted this type of "governance" for several reasons, namely:
1. People in that community cannot count on representation from government, to meet their needs as a people and enforce their rights as a citizen of that country.
2. There are those among us who feel they can do a better job as government officials but lack trust in the "system" and also was not afforded the opportunity to be a part of it.
3. The high illiteracy and impoverished state of most, if not all, residents living there.
4. Media does not adequately highlight positive role models, who possibly bore the same struggles and emerged successful through legitimate hard work.
5. Most politicians have become more concerned with playing politics than seeking to better the country. And as a result, there has been significant evidence of corruption stemming from the head of state down to a boy fresh from his mother's womb.
Youths growing up aspire to one day be the area leader that takes care of his community and one that other communities fear. Hence poverty, crime and violence continues to be a major part of our generations ruthless cycle. People look to the area don or government to solve their problem rather than hard work and dedication. Some have become comfortable with robbing, exploiting or begging those who have struggled to make something of themselves.
The web of deception spun by politicians has become so widespread that no one politician, or event, whether state of emergency or election will be able to untangle. It's going to take a concerted effort by the people of the country to decide what is best for us all and move in that direction.
I remember one night, a couple of us were hanging out and drinking and a discussion came up. It was thrown out by one radical mind that we should have schools to care for babies and train them to think for themselves, solve problems efficiently and help them blossom into well rounded, intellectual beings without all the exposure to already corrupted elements. Drastic, isn't it? Are we really that lost that we need to employ these drastic measures to find our way back?
I think until we are able to elevate our thinking higher than just ourselves or any particular political party or any one man for that matter, we will forever be stuck in the mud of turmoil, with our wheels spinning but going nowhere but down, deeper til we finally implode.
Kavon McKenzie Copyright 2010
