THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS A Jamaican resident living abroad, each time I visit Jamaica, it's with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
My recent visit was to a funeral in Lucea, where a great, young, family man was cut off in the prime of his life leaving behind three young children, an inconsolable wife, numb parents and a disbelieving community. There were at least 2,000 people at this young man's funeral. His death was caused by a driver who, apparently in an attempt to avoid hitting a cow, instead, ploughed into his vehicle. He died next morning in hospital. The tragic and sad events of the accident and funeral forced me to consider a few issues:
The carnage on the roads in Jamaica, and the excessive speed that drivers drive
Likewise, the not unusual and unwelcome presence of stray animals on the roads
This last trip to Jamaica also pointed out to me the complexity and the intensity of Jamaican life. We Jamaicans are extremely intense, even schizophrenic; for on the one hand, we live life to its utmost, and are incredibly sad when someone dies, especially, if tragically or violently. We rally around the family of the deceased person with great fervour; ironically, it can become a celebration as food and liquor are in abundance. Yet, on the on the other hand, life seems so cheap judging by the high rate of murder, and also the many road fatalities.
There are many wonderful improvements taking place in Jamaica construction of roads, business and residential properties; developments in telecommunications, motor vehicle acquisition, tourism and so on; but one gets the feeling that the society is under great environmental strain; that along with the real and apparent signs of progress, our nation's social, moral structures or values have retrogressed or digressed.
Hardly can I go anywhere in Jamaica these days that people, even children are not begging me money or something. I check into a hotel, pay my money, but the receipt understates what I pay, so that the clerk can pocket the difference between what he takes from me and what he gives to his boss. A cop stops me, I pull over at a safe spot slightly ahead of him, but he remonstrates with me for not stopping immediately when he orders me to stop. I try to point out to him that in the interest of safety, that is the ideal place to stop. However, he aggressively disagrees with common sense.
Jamaica, undeniably, is a great country, but it must be run better. People must make it a kinder and gentler place. To do this, Jamaicans have to see the bigger picture, to see the future. Right now, everything has to be done and had right now. The idea of deferred gratification seems to be absent. That is why life is lived in a frenzy. For in this system, only the fittest and strongest survive. No one is sure that they will live to see tomorrow.
Jamaicans, slow down, relax, be nice to people and really make the Jamaican motto become a reality.
I am, etc.,
GEORGE GARWOOD
merleneg@yahoo.com
Port St. Lucie
Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
