Heather Robinson
I READ with great interest in Tuesday's Gleaner, comments attributed to Pastor Desmond Robinson, the incoming head of the Adventist Relief Agency. Pastor Robinson said: "When you see the roadblocks mounted for them (the dons), when you see the level of violence that people will perpetuate for them, you realise that they have won the hearts. As a Church, we must realise that we are at war to win the hearts, that's where we are at." He went on to express the need for us to "Win back the hearts of the young 15-year-olds, who see the don as their saviour."
Over the last 10 years or so, there has been much public debate and discussion about the role that dons play in inner-city communities. It is no secret that they have been able to win the loyalty of both men and women whom they 'feed'. This benevolence is expressed through assistance with sending children to school, usually through some big public display such as back-to-school or Christmas treat. Some also provide food and clothing. Of course, there is as well the handing out of money to unemployed persons who are literally on a weekly or fortnightly pay bill. And one can only assume that those who 'work' for the don receive some form of compensation in return.
MPS VERSUS DONS
These dons have successfully managed to replace the dependence that some persons used to have on the Members of Parlia-ment (MP) and councillors. The resources that these dons have access to are far greater than any MP's Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP) and Local Development Programme (LDP) allocations. Combined, these two programmes total about $3.5 million per year. Any MP will tell you that if they were to try and assist all the genuinely needy children in going back to and staying in school, this sum would be very inadequate. Any good MP will also tell you that the most rewarding experience is when a youngster reminds you of the assistance that was given, and how it has helped to place them in a better position.
Imagine then what happens when the MP is unable to satisfy all the genuine educational needs, and other government programmes are too bureaucratic to access. This child and his or her mother become extremely vulnerable. If the mother believes that she must do 'anything' to send her children to school, then she will, as a last resort, turn to the don for assistance. Over time, the reliable source of assistance becomes acceptable and the mother does not even bother to ask the MP or seek other governmental assistance. In return, she develops a loyalty that knows no boundaries.
WHOSE TASK TO GIVE FREEDOM?
So Pastor Robinson is very correct when he expresses great concern about the state of some communities. But, is the answer to be found in buying back the hearts of the poor from the dons? Should our churches be given the monies that are now being paid for extortion to dons who use this money to buy the loyalty and silence of hundreds of Jamaicans? Or should Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister try and implement government pro-grammes that allow our children to go to school without the assistance of the benevolent don? Will public displays
by mothers ensure that their children will carry on in their footsteps and the cycle of 'donmanship' will be perpetuated?
Jamaica's next Prime Minister has a major task ahead. Crime is our country's biggest problem and concern. The success of the next Prime Minister will be measured by how much the People's National Party government is able to reduce the murder rate. One way to start is to remove the dons, and ultimately citizen's dependence on them.
Who best understands this problem, and is willing to implement real solutions should be our next Prime Minister.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
