By Fr. Richard Ho Lung,
of the Missionaries of the Poor
EVERY YOUNG Jam-aican knows of the United States and Canada. It's very much accessible to them at least by the massive media input on our radio, TV, movies and newspapers. Whether they have visas or not is another question; most who are educated or have some wealth have their papers; the poor and educated would if they could, and by blood relations some can get to the U.S. Seventy per cent of Jamaicans want to leave this island.
Jamaica is a land that's not developed: not its politics, its business, or its people. Jamaicans want to get out of this island if it's possible. For the time being, they'll watch and wait. Some of their peers have already left; others will bide their time. All want a better life materially and mentally.
It's heartbreak to watch our island deteriorate before even coming to maturity. Recently we had tours to St. Vincent, Barbados, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and all are doing just fine in terms of productivity and a sense of security. Trinidad, Bermuda, Nassau, Dominica, Aruba, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands are also prospering. Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Cuba are not.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western world. And, I fear we are heading there. Why? Our people have lost faith.
The greatest loss in Haiti is the young professionals with loads of ideas and energy; the rich who remain there are those few who are part of the system which seems to care very little for the rest of the nation. Everyone will tell you in Haiti there are no alternatives in the leadership. The bright young patriotic Haitians who could provide a new tomorrow have given up hope. They cannot change the political system, a terribly corrupt one, that has made this first ever Caribbean island to gain independence, an island of hopelessness.
Political system
Jamaica is heading in that direction unless we change our political system and our personal attitudes.
It's simply amazing that for the past 30 years we have had the same leaders of the JLP and PNP; except for the emerging NDM there is nothing new under the sun. No one or no group within the parties seems to be able to bring about change. Yet Jamaica has deteriorated so fast over the past 30 years, it's on the brink of suicide or death.
The young can get corrupted and selfish just as anyone else can. They can begin idealistically and then use the system to retain power or for personal purposes. But the young must get together, organise themselves and enter into politics en masse. They must inundate the three political parties with their fresh ideas, energy, and readiness to take risks. We are presently bottlenecked and frustrated the young in particular are desperate young, bright people who can provide leadership for our energetic nation and loving people. Hopefully, the young will stand correction; they will listen, learn, be humble and ready to be told of their foolishness, and the moral and spiritual pitfalls that come with power. Hopefully, they will seek in-built systems of correction and accountability and insist on being amongst the people, especially the poor. Hopefully, they will be opened always to the future of our country, beyond themselves and their own temptations to pride.
The only way to escape the death that now surrounds us the violence, the dying economy, and hopelessness is by the power of Christ, divine grace, and the readiness to lay down our lives for our country. It can be done, it must be done. Young people, young Jamaicans must rise up, speak the truth and live the truth. There must be one absolute value to live by what we promise not saying words and give promises that are not fulfilled. If a man's word is not fulfilled, he lives in dishonour. If a man's word cannot be taken seriously, he is a liar and thereby loses respect.
The young must get rid of the image of the politician as a splendid rhetorician and let the eloquence of action speak. They must be men and women of integrity who can be trusted to get something done rather than holding our country spellbound with passionate words: "Sound and fury signifying nothing" as Shakespeare says.
If the young do not become strong and brave, passionate and bold, if they do not stay in this country and bond together in community, if they do not develop a strong conscience for justice and truth, there will be no future for this country. The departure of so many people at this time when their country (maybe not the politicians) need them so badly will certainly cause a death to our nation. We must remember that second commandment of our Lord "Love thy neighbour as thyself." That's the only way to gain personal and national salvation.
The young must grid their loins for battle. It's their time. They have got to build our nation. The old yeast must go and the yeast of righteousness and truth must emerge. The future is in their hands, but they must cast aside all selfishness and self-concern and prepare for Calvary and the hope that brings a new tomorrow.
