Wendel Abel, Contributor

Those who forget the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat them (Santayana).

This society faces enormous challenges, violence, corruption and a lack of patriotism. I put our experience in a historical and psychological context. The themes are highlighted by Orlando Patterson in his book 'Sociology of Slavery' which I encourage you to read.

Modern Jamaica has evolved from what Patterson described as a 'monstrous distortion of human society'. Every institution was undermined, underdeveloped and rendered dysfunctional during slavery, and today we are struggling to reconstruct them.

A dysfunctional family system

The family, the basic institution of human society was disrupted and destroyed as slaves were hauled through the ravages of The Middle Passage. During slavery the family system was never encouraged. Promiscuous behaviour was rampant. Males were encouraged to father as many children as possible on the plantation. Sexual exploitation of young slave girls and women was gruesome and pervasive.

The dysfunctional Church

Many historical records attest to a dysfunctional Church. Lynch (1671) wrote 'the condition of the Church be so low'. The clergy was described as having 'a character so vile'. Patterson pointed to an article in the Jamaica Magazine (1813) that highlighted the 'lamentable state of religion in Jamaica'. Historically, the Church has failed to extol moral virtues in this society which contributed to a poor quality of family life, a low sense of value and a questionable moral base. Many contradictions still exist in a society that boasts one of the highest per capita churches, bars and crime rate in the world. Dysfunctional behaviour is pervasive in our Church and the Church is yet to ascend to a higher moral ground.

The educational system

The planters did not encourage and in fact undermined every attempt to develop an education system to meet the needs of the masses. Their children were educated abroad; historical records revealed that by the mid eighteenth century, 300 children were sent to England to be educated. The historian, Long, wrote (1774) 'this lack of educational facilities in the island was one of the greatest impediments to its effectual settlement'. For many years the system was designed to educate small elite, with the majority rendered functionally illiterate.

The criminal justice system

The legal system was established to promote and protect the rights of the wealthy in this country. Today Jamaica grapples with the challenges of establishing a justice system that is perceived as fair and one that champions the rights of the 'small man'. The challenges which the Jamaica Constabulary Force face are equally rooted in our history as it was established after the Morant Bay rebellion with the sole purpose of keeping the masses in check.

A dysfunctional elite

This society created an elite system which consisted of the wealthy planters at the top, many of whom were absentee owners and a brown-skinned middle class which always had a sense of entitlement and privilege. This small group of the very wealthy controlled the vast resources of this country. They were greedy, selfish and self- serving. They contributed relatively little to its development and did not develop a sense of philanthropy in this society. Similar attitudes and practices exist today. Many have occupied this space, but were never truly committed to this place. A society cannot thrive without the commitment and philanthropy of its people.

The marginalised masses

The vast majority of our people are descendants of slaves who were treated viciously, brutalised, marginalised and disenfranchised. Many of our inner-city communities evolved out of squatter settlements formed by former slaves driven from plantations or persons who migrated from poor, rural communities in search of opportunities in urban centres.

Our challenges

The challenges facing Jamaica include firstly, a deconstruction and an understanding of the legacies of slavery and colonialism, and the impact on our institutions and secondly, a systematic reconstruction of our institutions. Attention must therefore be paid on family life development, a crusade for values and attitudes, expansion in educational opportunities and a major development and transformation of the inner cities. The Church must play a major role in this crusade and it must start within.

Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.