The Editor, Sir:

I listened to the acceptance speech by Jamaica's eighth Prime Minister-designate, Bruce Golding, on election night. In view of the unfortunate failure of the Hon. Portia Simpson Miller to concede defeat following the EOJ's declaration of the results, Mr. Golding's speech was simply just what the doctor ordered.

Given the content and tone of the new Prime Minister-elect's speech, I recommend it to both him and all Jamaicans as the touchstone to which he and all Jamaicans need to return daily for the safe passage of Jamaica in the difficult years ahead.

No hint of triumphalism

Mr. Golding's speech lacked totally, and correctly, any hint of triumphalism. He was clearly aware of the absence of the 'mandate' new leaders love to enjoy. He didn't, like President Bush, boast that he earned capital in the campaign and was now ready to spend it. He accepted the narrowness of the win as the Jamaican people's own way of calling for "constructive engagement". In commiserating with grieving relatives of victims of presumed political violence, he demonstrated his capacity to be sensitive and sensible - a capacity further demonstrated in his congratulations poured out on all 60 winners - not only Labourites. Crowning Mr. Golding's speech was his call for moderation, dignity and magnanimity in celebrations, which would be "a platform for the future". Closing with a word of thanks to God, Mr. Golding has reminded himself and Jamaica from whence cometh its help.

At the heart and root of this speech are character, restraint, grace, unity, realism, strength and equality. I heard three clear tones of leadership in Mr. Golding on Monday night. He sounded like a good parent: gentle, clear, serious, but not condescending or overbearing. He sounded like a good prime minister: a servant who didn't think he was better than those he has come to serve, yet endowed with the call to go ahead of us. And he sounded like a good partner: one who is prepared to come alongside his national constituents, whether green or orange, not only to lead but to work with, in order to broker for all, a fighting chance for Jamaica land we love.

Neither magician nor wizard

However, what Mr. Golding didn't say and should not have been expected to say this urbane night includes a plea to all the disorderly, the greedy, the sycophants, the partisan, the selfish, the criminal, the unconscionable, the lazy, the lawless, the wayward and the wicked, that our new Prime Minister will be neither magician nor wizard, and that the chain will be as strong as its weakest link. In that long list I cited, I am thinking, both of those powerful 'big fish' characters, ensconced and entrenched in higher places of privilege, as well as the others at the bottom of the gravy train. Here is a formula: (These + Bruce) = (These + PJ) = (These + Portia). Simple.

In the midst of the clear realities of deep, deep trouble Jamaica still faces, then, I could not be more encouraged as I listened to our leader this night. Mr. Golding cannot do it alone. I pray that the nation will rally round him and will take both the tone and content of his speech as templates for their conduct, and that he too will return, daily, to the tenets of his own speech as the recharge for his next day of service. If this were done, no prophet's prophecy would miss the boat if it should declare that somewhere in the future, healing would be mightily evident in Jamaica. May God help Jamaica! May God bless Jamaica!

I am, etc.,

Dr. MICHAEL P.L. FRIDAY

rev_manfriday@hotmail.com

Bellevue, Nebraska

Via Go-Jamaica