Beverley Anderson-Manley
TO RENEW means - to make things new, to regenerate. This calls for a time of reflection - a time when it becomes necessary to step back - to move for a while, from the Courts to the Balconies and view the results that are manifesting because of choices made. Here, then is an opportunity for every citizen of Jamaica to take stock at the personal, political and economic levels.
A useful place to begin always is with the individual, recognising that when all is said and done there are always interventions that can be made at this level that can make a difference. Mahatma Gandhi talked about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. There are individuals everywhere making a difference.
THE POLITICAL PARTIES
It is possible that General Elections are imminent. What an opportunity to not only continue the process of renewing and regenerating these organisations but to take a "great leap forward" so that the results are not just "business as usual" but extraordinary.
As political parties scramble to ensure victory at the polls, it is useful to ensure that the candidates who are chosen to represent the constituencies are of exemplary character and bring with them skills that can ensure good governance at the constituency/community, parliamentary and state levels. Hard-earned taxpayers money pay these servants of the people - Parish Councillors, Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers. These servants must recognise that in accepting these jobs, they are prepared to take responsibility; to be accountable and transparent in their actions. They must commit to do this within an atmosphere that is increasingly non-tribal in approach. They must be prepared to put Jamaica first.
In the recent Budget Debate, the scramble for poor people was evident on both sides of the House. It is election time again - whether the date is this year or next year - the campaign has begun. Both political parties are actively engaged in the pre-election process. Jamaica must use every opportunity to ensure that only the best survive as candidates. When it is all over, there will be winners and losers. Jamaica must be a winner, no matter what.
THE CLASS ALLIANCE
During the recent presidential campaign in the Peoples National Party, there was a resurgence of the middle class in political activity. This class must be prepared to encourage and get actively involved in the political parties. No political party in Jamaica can succeed without elements of a class alliance and to a large extent, the middle class/intelligentsia has dropped out of the process. An active class alliance based on trust and respect - augurs well for the political parties and Jamaica. In the renewal process, political parties must place emphasis here.
WHAT ARE THE FACTS?
Jamaica continues to experience low levels of economic growth. An alarmingly large percentage of our children are at risk. Our social relations appear to be at an all time low whether at the level of parent/child; woman/man; employer/employee. Corruption continues unabated at different levels of the society. Extortion keeps rearing its ugly head. Taxpayers money is badly spent. There is a level of chronic poor that continues to exist at the base of our society no matter what the poverty interventions. As Jamaicans we should have a sense of shame that 44 years after political independence, our conversations about national development have hardly changed. It is "the same old, same old". Same conversations - same results.
The world is becoming increasingly hostile and uncaring. If we want to develop, we are going to have to be the ones who take the kinds of decisions that make this possible.
The good news and the bad news is that to a large extent, Jamaica is in our hands.
Beverley Manley is a Political Scientist, Transformation Coach/Trainer and Gender Specialist. Email: BManley@kasnet.com
