Garth RattrayTHE NEW Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, is already busy nipping politically motivated violence in the bud (as he puts it). He certainly has his work cut out for him. He mediated between warring political factions in the Central St. Catherine Constituency (Spanish Town). Escalating conflicts over the overt display of little, thin, rag-tag party flags on the street led to the shooting deaths of three people (said to be JLP affiliates) and the injury of a fourth within a 72-hour period.
The relevant political candidates, Olivia "Babsy" Grange and Homer White, had to intervene and an agreement was arrived at regarding the removal of the flags (the source of the deadly ire). They also agreed to relocate the PNP constituency office (which is in an area considered to be a JLP stronghold). Bishop Blair praised the political candidates for their quick and concerned intervention and assigned no blame whatsoever to them. Whereas I agree with him for not blaming any individual candidate, I certainly blame our brand of politics and politicking for the animosity that exists between the major parties.
My favourite radio personality (Francois St. Juste) in his regular time slot dedicated to his "commentary" voiced the concerns of all well-thinking Jamaicans when he said that he could not understand the reason for political violence. He went on to express his dismay at our inability to live together in peace. He suggested that a mere difference of opinion regarding political affiliation should never escalate into violent conflict and loss of life. He is quite right of course. There is much more to this ridiculously puerile and deadly episode of political violence than a bunch of coloured flags. Political tribalism goes beyond mere geography, mere symbols and mere rhetoric; it is unfortunately the very lifeblood of many Jamaicans.
In its Editorial of Saturday August 17, 2002, the Jamaica Observer stated, "It is a shame though, that in a handful of our communities there is so little tolerance that political flags should be deemed to be provocative and/or intimidating. It is nonsense really." Again, the editorial expresses our consternation, concerns and confusion as we seek to understand this apparent nonsense. In fact it makes perfect sense when one considers that in some communities there are those that depend heavily on political moneys and favours (handouts) for their sustenance. It is interesting that although we just celebrated forty years of Independence many remain enslaved by poverty, ignorance and a non-progressive culture that fosters the dependency syndrome. The recent killings only prove that many in our society are not yet truly free.
Planner, trainer, advisor Dr. Phil Bartle (PhD, Sociology /Anthropology) defines the dependency syndrome as "an attitude and belief that a group cannot solve its own problems without outside help. It is a weakness that is made worse by charity". I suppose we could call it uncharitable charity. In a recent study conducted in Sabah, it was found that political handouts stifled individual initiative and brought about an economically impotent society. The study looked at the syndrome as it manifested itself across the socio-economic spectrum. The poorer class depended on the politician for direct personal gains. The middle class depended upon them for minor projects and government production subsidies, which also benefited other members within the society. The upper class depended on them for the rights or concessions to the state's natural resources and the awarding of highly profitable government construction and supply contracts.
These findings seem to mirror our own situation here in Jamaica fairly well. Some in our middle and upper classes depend heavily on politics and politicians but we are generally unaware of this because their actions are subtle and involve social or business meetings, promises and donations (sometimes one individual donates to both major parties in order to hedge his/her bet). Quid pro quo deals are made, and so the dependency syndrome continues to propagate itself across social lines.
Many people have a vested interest in a particular party because if "their party" wins they are promised everything from rice and zinc to hard cash and jobs. Budding candidates often have a multitude of hangers on, cronies and touts who proclaim their loyalty in the expectation that they will be "taken care of". If, on the other hand, the opposing party wins then they will be left out in the cold. Hence the often bantered about phrase, "Ah fi wi time now". A win or loss for a party often means the difference between suffering and happiness for many. This is despicable, shameful and cruel.
Since our early political days, politicians have taken unto themselves the role of "godfather" for their constituents to the exclusion of those communities that opposed them. A well-educated, knowledgeable, rational and independent electorate will vote based on unselfish principles and with the needs of the country at the fore. This may not augur well for those who "enslave" their constituents by allowing them to become dependent on handouts and favours. Dependency assures party loyalty and loyalty assures survival (of both politicians and constituents), this is political symbiosis. Political violence is therefore rooted in a basic need to survive.
Votes should be based upon choices made by individuals for the greater good of the nation with no fear of retribution, but people still vote based on enlightened self-interest. It is indeed sad that there are those in society who are forced to see politics as a matter of scarcity or bounty and even life or death. The power to grant handouts, relief, subsidies and work contracts must be taken out of the hands of the politicians thus negating the need for political strife within our society.
We must endow the proletariat with the ability to fend for themselves through education and opportunities for self-development. Until we give the power to the people, as was promised in a famous political slogan thirty years ago, by taking away all possibility of political favours, political violence will never cease.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
