Don't forget our heroes

C.D. Smith, Contributor

ONCE AGAIN it is the time of year when Jamaica celebrates Emancipation and Independence, which occurred in 1834 and 1962, respectively. As we commemorate and celebrate, we must remember our national heroes and many who have contributed not only to ending slavery and ensuring Independence, but also in the correction of various other social ills. Our national heroes are George William Gordon, Paul Bogle, Norman Washington Manley, Sam Sharpe, Nanny of the Maroons and Marcus Garvey and we remain grateful for their sterling contribution.

Emancipation means we are free from slavery but are we free from slavery to sin and wrongdoing? We need to ask our God to have mercy on us and forgive us for the maladies and atrocities and sins that are perpetrated, so that we can become slaves to the true Master who grants us peace. O Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Independence means that along with representatives of the monarchy, we now manage and control our own national affairs. We should realise, however, that Independence is not an absolute or exclusive reality because while we pronounce ourselves independent, it is understandable that we are very much dependent, for example, in the area of international trade. This means we effectively have interdependence between and among countries.

Within our country also under the general banner of independence we all depend so much on each other. So here we have interdependence again as the various sectors of the society help each other. For example, the computer technician, while fixing everybody's computers also makes good use of commodities and services of other persons.

We are 'out of many, one people', which is not only a national motto but an experienced reality. This motto suggests peace. I hope that more and more, we will be one people and the guns and the talk and the practice of warfare and dissension, tribalism, drug corrections and general mischief will be surrendered on the bargaining tables of conscience, Christian conversion and reform and that all crimes and disrespect of others will cease until Jamaica can be renowned for peace instead of war.

Gone mad

It is entirely enigmatic that in a country with vibrant evangelism, enthusiastic church participation and innumerable social initiatives and programmes, we find this juxtaposed to an array of social ills, which shamefully and embarrassingly include murders, child abuse, rapes, robberies, beheadings, fraud even grave stealing. Has the country gone mad?

We have a challenge to build our society or rather continue doing. If we are independent, then we must properly conduct ourselves showing that we are worthy of such a status and especially loving the children who are not just products of pleasure to be led astray, ignored, abused, murdered, kidnapped and generally taken advantage of. Some people would not even compliment them. Let us reclaim Jamaica for Jesus. Peace be unto you. Eternal Father, bless our land.