Jamaicans deserve the best service and products

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WHILE WE are a proud, kind and considerate people, this disposition is not constant, we tend to display certain attitudes when playing host to non-Jamaicans and the same respect and pride is rarely displayed when we are not putting on a show for the world. This is of course is not limited to any one aspect of Jamaican life.

On my first visit to Miami I picked up a bottle of pepper in a Jamaican supermarket with the words 'made in Jamaica'. I was stunned, the label was absolutely beautiful and thinking I had found a limited edition collectors item I held on to it, only to discover that this was how the product was packaged for the oversees market.

Yet in my own country it was totally sub-standard, certainly not much thought or care was given to the design of the one for the Jamaican market.

Is it that we don't believe that we deserve a taste of the very best of what we have to offer the world? Why do we treat each other in such a cheap and undignified way? Why can't we be treated as equally important in the quality of the products we have to consume and the same apply to our music?

I must agree that the stir in activity concerning the music is highly welcomed even though I have concerns about censorship. I have mixed feelings and welcome the current effort to improve the quality of the music, with some level of disappointment. Had a similar incident occurred at another dibbi dibbi, local ting to follow the sentiments of some persons discussing the issue, the response may have not been the same. This however was Reggae Sumfest big tings, international ting.

My disappointment resides in the fact that it took such an event for the decades of degeneration of a musical form which many of us proudly embrace to become an issue for action. Regardless of the effect of poor lyrics on our children, on us as a people, would it have been allowed to continue had this incident not occurred at Reggae Sumfest? Are the expressions of outrage because of the audience? Is the expressed disgust because tourists were sent scampering? This was certainly not the first time Jamaicans have had to run for safety at a stage show. Is the response prompted by who the promoters were, where the show was held? This was neither the first nor the worst of this kind of activity in front of our people. Is it not sufficiently garbage until it impacts negatively on the tourism product? There must be something more outstanding, more important operating.

It is my hope that the change now being evidenced and the measures being put in place by the state is not a response solely to protect interest other than our posterity. This move I hope is as a result of the consideration of our people more so our children. Jamaicans are wonderful hosts, we are friendly warm and kind, let us please show ourselves some respect let there be change for us.

We are truly a blessed nation and a wonderful people; let us give each other the courtesies we so willingly extend to non-Jamaicans. Much of the criticism seems to surround the fact that the display was on the international stage.

There are other changes to be made, other systems to be improved, I shudder to think that until those affect our ability to play hosts there will be no transformation. Change is related to power, rarely the powerless is able to effect change. Where does the power really lie?

Does it reside in what others think of us or in what we think of each other? Does it reside with those whom the economic fallout from negative international publicity will directly affect? Is change then the onus of such individuals, groups or is it a collective responsibility and we all have the power to change our nation?

I strongly believe there is hope but we all need to start viewing our fellow Jamaicans as important and special, deserving of good things and the highest quality of life. Let this mode of change continue with a view to provide quality for us to enjoy in all things. In our politics, in economics, in education, employer to employee, mother to son. Let's see each other as worthy of the best. Let us treat each other with respect; let us transform the negatives in our country with us in mind.

Let us eliminate the thinking that we can consume poor lyrics, poor service and poor quality goods.

Let us look at ourselves, made in God's image, purposeful, beautiful, worthy and dignified Jamaicans. Let us provide quality service, quality products embracing the old adage of the fattest calf. We deserve the best; let us give each other the best, let us change Jamaica for our children's future and ourselves. Let us try as hard, work as hard, show respect, produce quality here as we do elsewhere. Giving the best of ourselves to us and to the world.

I am etc

SHELLY LAWSON

substance74@yahoo.com

11 Waterloo Avenue

Kingston 10

Via Go-Jamaica

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