Gordon Robinson | Old BC’s fertile mind

It’s been a while but current media talk about fertility rates stomped on The Old Ball and Chain’s last nerve.

So she’s fulminating again. She was listening to a talk shop on morning radio featuring regular radio chatterboxes. They and the host were discussing the new Census results insofar as they raised red flags warning of possible future population decline. One specifically spoke of the effect of the famous 1970s “Two is better than too many” campaign and seemed to be connecting dots with current fertility concerns.

To paraphrase the great Paul Keens-Douglas, who tell him say so? It was once too often that she’d listened to the same sort of tut-tutting about fertility. The reality disconnect infuriated her.

As the snow flies,

on a cold and gray Chicago mornin’

a poor little baby child is born

in the ghetto

And his momma cries

’cause if there’s one thing that she don’t need

it’s another hungry mouth to feed

in the ghetto

Old BC: What are you saying to young people? Have more children? Young adults can’t afford to buy a home, pay rent, pay for utilities, healthcare and food. How can you criticize their decision not to have children? If they have children and don’t send them to school or provide for them you say they’re irresponsible. Old Grey Balls and I have three sons and only one grandchild. The Ampersand migrated to Canada eons ago because there was zero opportunity for him in Jamaica. He, his wife and our Grandson are all Canadian citizens despite our children being fortunate enough to receive far more preparation for life than the average Jamaican child.

Well, the world turns

and a hungry little boy,

with a runny nose,

plays in the street

as the cold wind blows

in the ghetto

Old GB: You can’t deny Jamaica has a population problem, due not only to fertility issues but also migration, which translates to a depleted workforce. Apart from encouraging fertility, what should Government do about this?

Old BC: Government must provide an education system where ALL our children can be taught at the highest level without parents having to rob a bank; a healthcare system where ALL our children can be treated without having to pay for private healthcare; and a security system where ALL children can be safe.

And his hunger burns

so he starts to roam

the streets at night

and he learns how to steal

and he learns how to fight

in the ghetto.

Then one night, in desperation,

the young man breaks away.

He buys a gun; steals a car;

tries to run; but he don’t get far

and his momma cries…..

As a crowd gathers ‘round

an angry young man

face down in the street

with a gun in his hand

in the ghetto.

Old GB: Yes. Government should. But profligate Governments have frittered away Jamaica’s ability to provide that during a forty year period ending 2012. Jamaica remains in a fiscal crisis despite gradual improvements. Right now teachers are underpaid, undertrained and underperforming. Public healthcare is a mess. We keep losing education and healthcare professionals to better opportunities elsewhere. We’re so politically confused we don’t know if we’re chickens or eggs. Yet politicians only boast about “Third Term Loading” or ‘Time Come”. For WHAT?

Old BC: Education, health and security are Government’s responsibility regardless. Yes parents must provide for their children but young adults would be ill advised to have children they can’t afford to support in today’s global economic chaos.

Old GB: So what EXACTLY do you want Government to do? There’s no way it can deliver the things you want without raising taxes. There are still no safeguards in place to prevent a Government from squandering those raised taxes on political frippery. We’re firmly stuck in the good old box of bricks.

And, as her young man dies,

on a cold and gray Chicago mornin’

another little baby child is born

in the ghetto.

And his momma cries…..

In the Ghetto, probably the most significant recording by Rock and Roll legend, Elvis Presley, was originally titled “The Vicious Circle”, written in 1969 by Mac Davis of It’s hard to be Humble fame. It reached Number One in eight countries but only Number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Old BC: It’s the economy, stupid! Parents must feed, educate, provide healthcare; house and provide safety for children they produce. Government has responsibilities also. If money small, Government must do what I do every month – prioritize the needs I’ve already mentioned. If Government abdicates its responsibilities it has no right to complain about fertility rates.

Husbands, remember the most direct path to a happy life is a happy wife.

Old GB: Yes Dear

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com