Devon DickA RECENT Stone poll, which found that a majority of Jamaicans believe that Jamaica would be better off under British rule, is largely an indictment of the Jamaican Church in not affirming Emancipation and political Independence as events orchestrated by God.
The Church needs to celebrate the emancipation from slavery in 1838 as the equivalent to the Jewish Passover that celebrates the children of Israel escaping slavery in Egypt. Independence must be seen as a movement towards self-determination in one's Promised Land.
Jamaica ought to be affirmed not as a forsaken land but as a special and blessed country that can be used by God to accomplish much good.
It is therefore a wake-up call to the Jamaican Church as the nation celebrates the 40th anniversary of Independence and as an Emancipation Park is to be opened tomorrow to commemorate our Emancipation. Tragically, while most Jamaicans want 'Britannia to rule,' the July poll done in Britain ascertained that most Britons felt that their society was racist!
It seems therefore that the Church will need to applaud the good achievements of politicians. Too often, church leaders find it easy to criticise politicians in sermons but slow to praise. Sermons will have to become balanced, fair and analytical with the right interpretation of passages for the Jamaican context. Nothing is wrong in praising Opposition Leader Edward Seaga for his 40 years of service through Parliament and his role in institution building. There is nothing wrong in praising Prime Minister P.J. Patterson for solid achievements in infrastructural developments.
Sadly, Mr. Horace Clarke made his valedictory budget debate speech after 30 years of unbroken service on July 9, 2002 and the Church did not affirm the positive things he has been involved in since 1972. He claimed as his accomplishments improved housing for workers and their families who used to live in dilapidated barracks; establishment of the 27-year-old Rural Electricity Programme (REP) which has helped thousands of Jamaicans; initiated the Aeronautical Telecommunica-tion (AEROTEL) Ltd., Jamaica Merchant Marine, the national shipping line, a Jamaica Maritime Institute; started Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA); imported Boer and Nubian goats; negotiated the San Jose Accord, sale of Air Jamaica etc. One would have thought that the Leader of the House, Dr. Peter Phillips would have said those things introducing him rather than he having to blow his own trumpet.
It is really disrespect to the memory of our forefathers who fought against slavery to claim that it would be better under British rule. It is a disregard for the contribution of our National Heroes Paul Bogle and George William Gordon and the events of 1865.
Interestingly, on that same day in Parliament the Honourable Anthony Hylton, Member of Parliament for Western St. Thomas, recommended, based on the findings of the Report of the Jamaica Royal Commission of 1866, that the punishments inflicted were excessive, the punishment of death was unnecessarily frequent and the burning of 1,000 houses was wanton and cruel, that the issue be revisited to bring closure to this matter. He highlighted that no compensation was ever paid or any remedy granted to the victims nor has any pardon been granted to Paul Bogle or George William Gordon although a post-independent Jamaica has recognised the events of 1865 as a just struggle and the deeds of Bogle and Gordon. The Church should lead on this issue of redress for the people of St. Thomas.
The nation's business is serious business and should be treated as such. In that sitting Dr. Phillips talked about the changes to the People's Representation Act and church leaders need to have a watching brief in the legislation of the land because the Bible is concerned with just legislation. In addition, when citizens attend Parliament they should be given copies of the bills and the speeches so that they can be aware of the accomplishments of Jamaican governance and the challenges that the country faces.
In addition, there needs to be a channel dedicated to Parliament and Parish Councils so that the citizens can know what is taking place in the governance of the country. With so many channels and the expected arrival of wireless 'cable' TV then there needs to be a Jamaican version of the American C-Span. Church leaders and Christians must become aware of the discussions and decisions of the Parish Councils.
The poll along with the 2002 UN Human Development shows that Jamaicans have work to do with law and order, justice issues and governance.
For example there needs to be more disclosure about the billion-dollar bailout of NWC. The OUR dismissed the application for the K factor tariff to deal with capital costs, and users breathed a sigh of relief and now the same persons as taxpayers will have to bear the burden. It is either the OUR erred in not giving the K factor tax or the government has by-passed the OUR in this bailout. Our leaders need to say more.
The poll is saying that wanton murders continue and too many persons feel that there is no justice. In Britain, people feel that all are equal before the law and Prime Minister Tony Blair's son can be charged for drunken driving while no Jamaican politician's son worth his salt would have charges stick.
Jamaica has a far way to go in a justice system that is even-handed, and the Jamaican Church ought to put this high on its agenda of priorities as in days of pre- and post-Emancipation. However, the accomplishments ought to be celebrated as gifts from God.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
