Cover story - The hustlers

- Ian Allen

The generous of heart sell fruits, sellers say.

Avia Ustanny, Freelance Writer

Some trust in chariots and some in horses

But we will remember the name of our God.

They are brought down and fallen,

But we are risen and stand upright.

Save Lord, let the King hear us when we call.

- From Psalm 20

THIS IS hustler's heaven. It is also the stamping ground of those who live on faith. There is a lot of belief in the supernatural on the streets of Downtown Kingston where itinerant vendors make their living. One may not be able to vouch for their morality in a world where almost every rule of civil society is bound to be broken, but they - the street vendors - have more than the mustard-seed worth of belief.

It will take that and more in a world where sudden violence may end their lives and where one may "bleach" in the hot sun all day without selling so much as a two-dollar camphor ball.

These are mean streets, both heaven and hell for opportunists who trade their wares. Living daily cheek by jowl with gunmen and pickpockets, hundreds remain to make a living.

During 2000, the Jamaica Labour Force Survey Recorded 151,200 persons employed in the wholesale and retail trade sectors. This was an increase of 1,700 persons over 1999 and an increase of 4,000 over the previous year.

The number of itinerant vendors, also part of this trade, is not fully known, as they are unregistered and often travel from point to point, according to where the "money running". But they are increasing, and pass through the city by the hundreds.

What do the vendors have to fear? The area where most murders occur lies within the Corporate Area and much of it Downtown Kingston and the adjoining areas of south St. Andrew.

The Downtown and St. Andrew south division itself reports the largest number of murders. In 2000 this was 155, an increase of three over the following year. The area also reported the largest number of shootings ­ 171 in 2000.

The region embraces large-scale garrisons including Payne Land, Rema, and the expansion of drug turf is made possible, partially, by the poverty of the urban inner cities.

In July, in one weekend, 29 individuals died when violence erupted in neighbouring communities. Vendors were forced to either stay home or relocate, as many of them did, to the Three Miles area of Kingston.

The financial loss, for many, was nothing new. The rules which order the lives of those in more sedate occupations are often broken. The laws of the jungle operate here. Be prepared to defend yourself and your wares. Be prepared to run.

We observed, last week, a middle-aged woman dressed in bathing suit and tights - the rolls of flesh exposed in her back - crouching beside her small stall of wares to the amazement and amusement of men standing around. "Mek them come, anything them come with - Gun play, fowl play, F...play, anything, me ready fe dem." She pranced gun fighter style and laughter erupted - but some stood silently in acknowledgement.

This, many believe, is what it takes to be a street seller. Here is where only the fittest, and the faithful, survive.

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