Jah Foresight, Contributor
I am in a sad mood. A few months ago, I was in Morant Bay taking a deep look at the statue of Paul Bogle. I cannot believe that fire has destroyed the Morant Bay Courthouse. It is really time to reflect in this Black History Month on the significance of the Morant Bay Rebellion and its relevance in these times.
Today, St Thomas is a very dormant parish and one would never believe this was the heart of resistance at the turn of that century. I really hope that the destruction of the building was not created by arson. There is a portion of our population who have no care for history or the future. Their favourite occupation is to burn down anything that makes sense. I just hope that the building was not destroyed owing to a pending case in court.
Justice is always the cry for Black History month. I find it strange that some black people who look like me do not care a hoot about reparation. We feel that slavery has been over almost 200 years now and do not realise that we now have black masters. If actualisation and liberation was taught to our people we would have been a first world nation for a long time.
We would not be nervous when we hear about massive transfers in the police Force. The transfers will not reduce crime when it is already an industry. The transfers will help to prevent corruption since these criminals will have to spend some time learning new faces. I still cannot understand why the media are attaching the scam in Montego Bay to the name Lotto when it is a total different industry. It has made some of the deep rural folks lose trust owing to this misinformation. I hope the new head of police in Montego Bay will cool down that area.
The biggest news this week that will affect all lotto players is the exchange of meat for guns. I will not talk on behalf of the cows, goats and pigs as yet. I have been travelling across the parishes of Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Manchester and I have noticed that some animals are missing in action. I can hardly find any stray dog or cat or even an old mule nowadays. I was wondering if these animals are becoming extinct. I hardly see any dead dogs on the road these days.
Pigs and goats are widely raised and a common sight roaming around scavenging for food around Port au Prince. Pork is the most popular and expensive meat where the majority of the population buy mostly cheap fifth quarter parts imported from The United States. Rabbit industry is well established throughout Haiti. Owning a goat opens a world of possibilities for income and sustenance. Beside the prestige of owning the goat, there are tangible benefits. The milk can be consumed, made into cheese or into soap.
How many Jamaican farmers make an effort to milk goats for consumption or by-products? I am very concerned by how the animals are slaughtered. Does the meat from the cat resemble that of the rabbit? How do they preserve the meat travelling by sea to Haiti? Are the Haitians able to prove the type or quality meat that they are getting? We had some people selling flour for cocaine in the early days. Is there a new set of entrepreneurs selling donkeys for beef?
With the shortage of high protein in Haiti, the swap of guns for meat is a lucrative business.
