Dennis Chung, Contributor
CHUNG
OVER THE past three weeks there have been a lot of developments in our island. This has left no shortage of issues to write about, including the police wage dispute, crime, economic numbers and April fiscal numbers. There is one concern that I felt compelled to voice, however, and this involves the issues surrounding the actions of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). I know that many must think that this is another piece criticising the Government or the private sector, as so many have done. Some strongly support the actions of the PSOJ, some are against it and some stick their finger in the air and go with the direction of the wind.
CONTINUING CONFLICTS
Quite frankly, I was growing sick of the fiasco that this has turned out to be. I asked myself, why can't we unite around a common purpose? Even in trying to fight the scourge of crime we are divided. I feel even more frustrated about the situation because I really do feel very passionately about this country. It is the most beautiful place in the world, bar none, and our so-called leaders (in all sectors and across parties) have sought to destroy it by their short-sightedness and selfishness.
On Monday and Tuesday of this week I had the distinct honour of attending a leadership forum put on by my company, which I think every leader in this country should have attended. The seminar examined our relationships with each other as leaders and why it is that relationships and effort is strained in many instances. One thing the facilitator said that stuck with me is that "each person through his/her own eyes sees the world as perfect". That is a very powerful statement and sums up the circus that our leaders have been acting in over the past week and a half.
It seems as if as a country we are always involved in conflict after conflict, without ever reaching a win-win situation for Jamaica. Last week the PSOJ held their activities to protest the escalating crime level. Many criticised it saying that no real sacrifices were made on their part, as they could have all done like GraceKennedy and contributed half a day's profit. Others lambasted them, saying that they were being hypocritical because they supported extortionists, and the police even made the point that much of that extortion money buys guns (this is a very important point).
The PSOJ came out with a declaration, demanding certain actions from the government. This includes Members of Parliament signing a document denouncing any association with any criminal element (I would like to pause here and say that this must include all criminality including tax evasion). Some politicians have attacked the PSOJ's hypocrisy of not having the courage to declare publicly that they will not support extortionists.
The bottom line is that the developments over the past two weeks have resulted in a further divide in the country. Now we have JLP against PNP and private sector against Government.
In the end the winners are the criminals as it seems as if we have all become so engrossed in attacking each other (all victims) that we forgot that we are really all against the criminal element.
This could not have been a sweeter victory for criminality in Jamaica. The fact is that if your enemies are attacking each other then who do you have to fight? The answer is nobody. While we have been infighting amongst each other the criminals continue to kill people. The score remains one more point for crime.
Coming out of that two day workshop I realised what the problem facing us as a country is. We all love to point the finger at everyone else but ourselves. How can we truly change a process if we do not first of all change ourselves? How can we truly call ourselves leaders if the only cause we support is our own and not the people who we are supposed to lead? A colleague of mine read from a book that stated that we are not leaders if we do not have the support of people around us, for what are we leading if not people.
When the PSOJ lock down was scheduled for last week, someone asked me what I thought about it. I said that I really do not agree with it but that I would give it my 100 per cent support because I felt that it was important to show unity in the face of adversity. It is only through unifying that any team, community or country can truly progress. One of the things that has made America strong is the undying spirit to unify around the American flag when faced with adversity. Many Kingston College (KC) students will also have heard that said of KC.
Lack of unity
Isn't this lack of unity the singularly most fundamental issue that we face as a country? We see it every day with communities, political parties, private sector and others, all contending with each other in a vicious way, even if not violent. If you ask them why they are fighting against each other it is primarily because of the side they are on. It has nothing to do with the issues, because sometimes they even want the same thing. This manifests itself in the informer culture, at all levels of society, where if you disagree with what the party leader, CEO, sports team captain or any leader says then you are a traitor. Couldn't it be that you disagree because you genuinely care for that person or organisation and want to see growth?
This is the main reason why I personally have shied away from politics. I just cannot understand why 60 supposedly intelligent persons can find so many differences with each other even when there is nothing to logically disagree with. What eventually happens is that you lose your credibility and eventually the name politician is accompanied with suspicion. This is sad because there are some genuinely good politicians out there that will never get a chance to make a significant impact.
Man in the mirror
Isn't it time that all of Jamaica, but especially our leadership, wake up, smell the coffee and find ways to work with each other rather than disagree. This process must start from looking inwards and determining what we can personally change about ourselves to make a difference. We also need to support the action of others, by encouraging them to do better and building on their strengths. When the Prime Minister, Opposition leader, private sector or any other leader, seeks to do something for the good of Jamaica let us all support it, even if we do not agree 100 per cent. It is important for those who take action though to do so from a position of altruism rather than selfishness.
When will we realise that if we are truly to call ourselves leaders, and help to develop this beautiful country, then we have to lead for the good of all, not just a few. Until then we will perpetually be asking the question, where have all the leaders gone?
E-mail: dra_chung@hotmail.com
