Equalising the two Jamaicas
published: Wednesday | March 19, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THOSE WHO have the opportunity to rise to the realms of leadership, power and influence have the right and responsibility to redistribute that power; ultimately redistributing opportunity.
Opportunity distribution is a very complicated thing. If the more powerful side of the 'two Jamaicas', can be made to work together for the sake of providing channels of opportunity, such as better education, social services, recreational facilities, vocational training and low-interest funding we will begin to see an equalising of the two Jamaicas. Failure to do this, whether by choice or by circumstance, reflects that those who have the power and influence do not want equality.
I am fully in support of the deliberations between the private sector and the Government. But the ideas and proposals that have come out of these deliberations have been very disappointing and reflect an advocacy for extended capitalist pursuit rather than the empowering of the other half of the two Jamaicas. The idea to introduce casinos is an example of such thought.
I would have liked for these deliberations to not only involve smaller enterprises in it, but also produce strategic, creative action plans which will seek to educate the population and inspire them towards entrepreneurship; also to encourage those who have dreams and visions of whatever degree to realise them.
