Hilary Robertson-Hickling
JAMAICA LOOKS forward to the leadership of the new Governor-General and his wife at a time when much of what was been built by the pioneers of the 20th century like the previous Governor-General and his wife is at risk of destruction. It is refreshing to hear that the engagement of youth and the rebuilding of consensus and social capital are to be the focus.
Do we know what is required to fulfil this vision? We need to recognise the role of visionary leadership which can sustain the failing hopes of a battle-weary people who have lost trust in the political, business and civic leaders in this country. Social capital refers to resources available through social networks and institutional ties which can enhance the position of individuals, organisations, communities and countries. 'I' has to become a part of 'we', as we recognise that we need to have a consensus to be able to advance as a society. The current fractured and fragmented approach is not working to our benefit in a world where even old enemies are cooperating to be able to compete in the world. The same must happen in this country.
Governor-General Hall has already demonstrated that he has built social capital by returning to Rusea's as a teacher, he has returned to the University of the West Indies of which he is a graduate, and he has returned to the Caribbean, which is his world. He has also learned and contributed to the United States of America in various capacities. The turnout at the recent function demonstrates that Jamaicans will be supportive of these new efforts.
THREAT TO OUR SURVIVAL
We have to engage the youth at a time when globalisation, HIV/AIDS, violence and other factors threaten our survival and require new responses as the old ways are not working. An important issue relates to the need to know oneself and to understand that the changes that need to be made have to be envisioned and implemented by ourselves and themselves. There is no one who will do for you what you have to do for yourselves. Hence we must promote independence and self-reliance before we can promote interdependence in the world. It is also a time to promote greater self-respect and enterprise and to revalue the resources that others have created. Young people need to recognise that they have to continue to build rather than to brea-down and start over again.
TO BE TRUSTED
Those who want to be trusted must be trustworthy; we have to behave like people who are worthy. While there has been increased understanding of what is happening to those young men who turn to violence and become most wanted for the wrong reasons, we need to take a look at the young women who are making their bodies available to the cheapest bidder and who seem to be for sale at any hour of the day. Then we have to look again at our sexual and emotional relationships with each other, not only do we abuse each other but we are giving each other life-threatening diseases and creating battlegrounds in our homes. Some of our homes are dangerous places where people emerge emotionally scarred for life. If our parents are selling our bodies to the highest bidders and sending us to fend for ourselves and bring money home for them, then we understand the deep hatred and resentment directed at those who have anything.
Some have escaped overseas but the same problems, as well as new ones, await us there; in fact many become Jamaicans when they migrate. As we rebuild we need to recognise the mistakes that we have made and become courageous enough to admit this so that we can make amends and continue the task of building a nation of which we are proud.
Hilary Robertson-Hickling is a lecturer in the Department of Management Studies UWI, at Mona.
