Common causes, North and South

Column published in Jamaica Observer 25 November 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

So here I am, parachuted from the cold climate and warm hospitality of Canada into an energetic PAJ Journalism Week, the history-making address by children to Parliament's Lower House and the celebration of Digicel Foundation's 15^th Anniversary.

'Open Minds' was the theme for International Women's Forum (IWF) Conference in Toronto earlier this month: 1,100 members, thought leaders and experts gathered to explore such themes as the promise and risk of artificial intelligence, the global refugee crisis, women in politics and yes, transitioning sexual identity.

One of my favourite sessions was "In Good Hands: Women Politicians" addressed by Canada's first woman Prime Minister, Kim Campbell. "There is a double-standard [for women in politics]", she noted. "If you are not the prototypical person, you are not forgiven for anything. If people see you as an exception, you will be held to a different standard. You have to establish your right to be there and your right to make mistakes."

Lo and behold, I returned to Jamaica to see a newspaper editorial describing one of our brightest politicians, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith as "thin-skinned", simply because she had noted suggestions from a previous editorial and was not inclined to follow them.

The Jamaica Women's Political Caucus of which I am a member has been holding seminars for women of different political persuasions, guiding and mentoring them.  We have not been very active in recent years, and such incidents must motivate us to recharge our programme.

At the IWF Conference we were gifted with an excellent book by Stephanie MacKendrick, "IN GOOD HANDS: Remarkable Female Politicians from Around the World Who Showed Up, Spoke Out and Made Change."  It features Right Honourable Campbell, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern among others and includes a playbook which gives practical advice to aspiring women leaders.

"Tell women not to disdain power," urges former PM Campbell. "It is the currency for getting things done."

"Is the News Too Negative?"

We had a stimulating discussion at the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Journalism Week Forum last Monday as panelists replied to the subject: "Is the news too negative?" We enjoyed the compliments paid to Jamaica's top ten status in global press freedom from Canadian and British High Commissioners Hon Laurie Peters and Hon Asif Ahmad. However, Jamaica has her trials: NIA head Professor Trevor Munroe reminded that generally trust and confidence are down, with 78 percent believing that corruption is a serious problem.

This is the dilemma for the media.  While veteran journalist Franklin McKnight believes that the ugly underbelly of our country is not fully acknowledged in the press, columnist Jaevion Nelson believes that the news is too negative, resulting in younger Jamaicans tuning out. "This could lead to ignorance and apathy," he warned.

Director of Tourism Donovan White called for balance but said he was not advocating censorship. He shared that Jamaica had one of the highest rates of return visitors – 42 percent and that tourism was the largest employer. He said with the industry earning $3.6 billion and providing employment for 25 percent of Jamaicans, there were "opportunities to tell really great stories in our news". Gleaner editor Kaymar Jordan reflected that media should dig deeper for truth, especially in the face of "fake news and doctored videos".

Outstanding Media Veterans

Last Wednesday the PAJ honoured four remarkable media veterans, JIS Deputy CEO Enthrose Campbell, Jamaica Observer Senior Reporter Balford Henry, Photographer Headley "Dellmar" Samuels and IRIE-FM broadcaster Elise Kelly. The citations reflected excellence, dedication and the journalistic tenacity that his kept Jamaica in the top ten for freedom of the press.

The PAJ took the opportunity to honour two shining stars of the media. Former JIS CEO and PR guru Carmen Tipling and the late Franklyn 'Chappy' St. Juste whose son Francois represented the St. Juste family.  As the word spread of the six honourees, social media carried tributes from individuals they had taught, mentored, encouraged and even disciplined. 

Such is the calibre of our Jamaican media stalwarts. I have great memories of Chappy St. Juste – I can hear Wycliffe Bennett's booming voice addressing him in discussions on the staging of events at Carifesta 76 and later I was lucky to be in his stage management class in my post-grad days. What a fine legacy.

Our children cry out

Jamaica Observer Senior Staff Reporter Kimone Francis delivered excellent coverage session of Parliament addressed by four children who shared the feelings of 300 children from three parishes who had been engaged in townhall sessions organised by UNICEF. I quote excerpts from her reports below, because I cannot say it better.

"A lot of children in Jamaica are dealing with a lot of pain." Those were the words of 10-year-old Keino King, who yesterday, along with seven-year-old Ngozi Wright, her twin brother Tafari, and 18-year-old Shaneille Hall, addressed the nation's Parliament in an unprecedented session on violence against children, ahead of today's observation of the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

"Our fear is based on the heartbreaking reality [that] many of us are being bullied. Many of us are being beaten. Many of us are being sexually and emotionally abused, and we are being murdered. This violence started in the days of slavery and to this day it continues. So I ask you, what are you doing to help break the cycle?" Keino asked.

"I don't want to live in a Jamaica where the children are so hurt by violence that they grow up to hurt themselves or to hurt other people. Do you?" the young boy let out to rousing applause from the members of the Lower House.

Orphaned at the age of three, sexually abused by her grandfather until she was 10, a teen mom by 15, homeless at 16, Shaneille Hall has endured more than most people.

Here are some of the requests coming out of the townhall meetings:

Children want to be heard: There was a very strong appeal for decision-makers to consult with children on a regular basis to learn more about what they are experiencing in order to guide the development of relevant laws, programmes, and policies.

Children want parents to get help so they can be better parents.

Children want stricter enforcement of laws for those who abuse children.

Children want better relationships with the security forces.

Grassroots projects get a big boost

Most Hon Juliet Holness congratulated the finalists and prizewinners in the Digicel Foundation 15^th Anniversary competition, urging them to become change agents in their Communities. The 15 Awardees including farmers, micro businesses and start-ups in every parish, each received two million dollars and expressed their joy at being able to expand their projects and provide employment. Over its 15 years of existence the Foundation, on the directive of Patron Denis O'Brien, has funded projects for special needs, education, and entrepreneurship to the tune of over US$36 million.