THE EDITOR, Sir:
Captain, the ship is sinking, Captain, the seas are rough... Shall we abandon ship, or shall we sail on it, and perish slow, we doh know, Captain you tell us what to do...
AS A Jamaican living abroad, I note with some interest the statements of Dr. D.E. Thwaites in The Gleaner of Saturday February 16.
According to Dr. Thwaites, the responsibility for proper functioning of our democracy rests squarely on the shoulders of the middle-class. I beg to disagree. The very idea of democracy describes the fullest participation by every individual of every class, equally in the decision-making process. This concept is epitomised by the election process, where each citizen is given equal say in who should form the government.
As an educated man, I feel no greater obligation (nor I daresay any greater qualification,) in deciding how the affairs of the country are run. This is not an abdication, it is a recognition of the worth of every citizen of the country. Just for Dr. Thwaites' edification though, I think it's good to recall one notable 'ship jumper' of the past. National Hero Marcus Garvey spent much of his time outside of Jamaica, and many of his greater achievements were done outside of the country. (But then I suppose daddy Marcus was not of the noble middle class).
Jamaica would have done well to have heeded the words of this 'ship jumper.' We have academics, politicians, teachers, lawyers, scientists and so on operating at the highest levels in the industrial countries. These people by and large don't hate Jamaica, but they have found their destinies elsewhere. I don't think we should abuse them for it. Many of these people would love to return and contribute to Jamaica, but they are looking for any sign that this country is not just another failed Third World state, riddled with corruption from top to bottom.
As for Dr. Thwaites' entreaty to join a political party and change things from the inside, that reminds be of the scene in the movie Training Day where the corrupt policeman played by Denzel Washington is trying to convince the rookie to keeping quiet about the corruption he sees in the force until he's made detective and can 'change things from the inside'. How absurd.
People in Jamaica who criticise politicians live in constant fear of harassment, victimisation and assassination. These people are being encouraged by Dr. Thwaites to join the very organisations which inspire these fears.
I am etc.,
PAUL ELLIS
ellispaul@hotmail.com
St. Augustine
Trinidad and Tobago
Via Go-Jamaica
