My wishes for Independence 50

OUR 50TH anniversary starts now. The plans for celebrations will be rolled out shortly and Jamaicans will get ready to party as never before. But it cannot be all float parades and beauty contests and carnival this time around. The year August 7, 2011 to August 6, 2012 has got to be treated more seriously than just another birthday party. The next 365 days call for a game change that needs to be much larger and grander in concept and implementation than what the Prime Minister asked for in his Budget speech.

It has to be the year of commitment to start behaving as a nation earnest about achieving those economic and social goals necessary for the transformation of our country.

The track records anticipated at the London Olympic Games will be neither here nor there if the world continues to confine its impression of Jamaica to Bob Marley, sports, Red Stripe, and a good time at Negril. Fifty years of independence have given us enough time to be accredited and recognised as a developing nation with the highest standards and accomplishments in education, democracy, health care, fiscal integrity, intellectual leadership, and social and economic stability.

Long way to go

Yet, in our 49th year, we are still an uncomfortable distance behind those goals. If we are to play catch up and accomplish anything in 2012, we must resolve to change and correct those behaviours that continue to perpetrate separatism, violence, and a political divide too hard to cross.

The year 2012 provides us with a grand opportunity to make the appropriate behaviour change. We will have to depend on our people to make the difference if we are to genuinely seek renewal and rebuilding. Furthermore, if it is true that our best resource is our people, then there is no doubt that we are adequately prepared. After all, circumstances have proven that we have the most resourceful set of people in the world.

But not so fast. The year has barely begun and already we are staring down the barrel at those ominous signs of division and partisanship which threaten to derail any attempt at bringing it all togetherin 2012.

Well, they say that if wishes were horses then beggars would ride. So, here are my five birthday wishes for the new Jamaica. The first is for peace and love. Jamaica is the most beautiful country on the planet. Jamaicans are known for their kindness, generosity, and hospitality. Then, how come we are also regarded as the murder capital of the world? It doesn't make any sense. We cannot continue to ride on the back of that demon into 2012.

The second wish is that we abolish the colour code that identifies political parties. The practice started as a harmless gimmick in 1974 and is now a mark of bitter demarcation between Jamaicans. We simply cannot come to the same birthday table with green and orange colours driving divisions between families.

Third, a wish that we could harness and channel the energies of our people into nation building through an organised volunteer system that can contribute thousands of well-needed man hours into the health and education sectors.

Fourth, a double economic wish that we find a cheaper source of energy, and that we stop the squabbling over foreign investment. If all embassies could talk the WikiLeaks language, we would be surprised and embarrassed by the comments being fired back to foreign governments about the sanctity and safety of their investment in this country.

Finally, a wish for a return to our Christian roots. Christianity is a significant part of our cultural foundation. Yet, all our behavioural signs indicate a departure from that foundation, a separation which, according to Christian essayist G. K. Chesterton characterises "the most dangerous people". "Our founding educational institutions, our medical system, our commitment to the care of the aged and the infirm, our concept of individual rights and responsibilities, all came to us through Christianity," asserts editor and publisher Ted Byfield.

"If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land". The word of the Lord.

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