It’s our turn to make history

Column published in the Jamaica Observer

 Independence Day August 2018

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Happy Independence Day!

We are so taken up with news here and abroad, so deep in discussions and accusations that we forget that we are the ones who make the news and indeed, we can make history. Last week, Emancipation Day reminded us that had it not been for our heroic history-makers, we would not be celebrating either of these two Jamaican August holidays.

Besides our National Heroes, the history makers keep emerging and impressing the world. Bob Marley and Usain Bolt bring us kudos wherever we travel. Gordon 'Butch' Stewart's 'Sandals' brand graces multiple cable channels. Jamaican-born Claudia L. Gordon, who was the first deaf Black woman attorney in the US, headed the Disabilities Division in the Obama White House, and recently gave a stirring Ted Talk about her determination to excel, whatever the environment.

So how will our current political leaders make history, as did the founding fathers of the two major political parties, Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley? The ruling party and the opposition are in that "one moment in time", when they too can become icons of a new Jamaica. 

The governance issues leading to a series of resignation at two agencies attached to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy are a call to create a serious new era of leadership. The lingering Trafigura case reminds us that there are questions of integrity on both sides of the House.

Yet, we have reason to believe that there are enough solid political representatives, individuals who could have successful professions outside of politics, who genuinely want to make a reality out of our Vision 2030: "Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business." I spoke with one concerned representative recently and urged the individual not to lose heart as Jamaica needs strong patriots.

The inglorious beginnings of political 'tribal war' and the continued divide in certain garrison areas can be phased out and a proud new era can begin for Jamaica. We need to observe which politicians are willing to engage their opposite numbers for community and constituency activities and which keep resisting.  The dividers are signaling that they are putting party above country, and do not deserve support.

We also need to look at ourselves, those who do not choose a political path, but have done well in our country, and ask if we have contributed enough to affirm the good people who have stepped up to take the brickbats aimed at politicians in general. Have we shunned them, leaving them vulnerable to less positive influences?

Here we are, the third largest English-speaking country in the Americas, perfectly mapped between North and South America, with one of the best God-given harbours in the world, and a landscape that Christopher Columbus described on landing in 1494, as "the fairest isle that eyes ever beheld". The three centuries of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade left our emancipated sisters and brothers weak and traumatized – their 'reward' was the least arable land and tough terms to 'pay back' their ruthless 'owners' who received handsome settlements after Emancipation. The matter of reparation cannot be simply dropped, so let us be courageous in our negotiations as there are great humanitarians of every creed and colour. 

It was wonderful to read the many quotes from the late revolutionary writer James Baldwin as we observed his 94^th birthday last Friday.  This is one that should move us: "I'm not interested in anybody's guilt. Guilt is a luxury that we can no longer afford. I know you didn't do it, and I didn't do it either, but I am responsible for it because I am a man and a citizen of this country and you are responsible for it, too, for the very same reason... Anyone who is trying to be conscious must begin to dismiss the vocabulary which we've used so long to cover it up, to lie about the way things are."