There is still hope for our country

The Editor, Sir:

I recently met two young men at the University of the West Indies (UWI) who are the kind who remind me that there is hope for Jamaica. There are thousands of them in this society who can and will contribute to the remaking of the society if we give them the opportunity to.

One is from an inner-city community where he teaches at a local school preparing candidates for the CXC exams, as well as holding a responsible job in a corporate setting. His commitment to this school and his own self-develop-ment have never wavered in the face of violence, and all of the ills which plague this society. He is excelling in his academic work.

Doing well professionally

The other combines excellence in academics with various sports, with a desire to serve others and is doing well in his professional life. So both are advancing in the field of accounting while serving their communities. It is as important to identify and acknowledge those who are doing well as the deviants and gangsters who fill our hearts with fear, horror and despair. To remake this society, we are going to need to recognise that there are many of the three generations since independence who have done well in spite of the challenges that this society poses.

The challenges continue to include unjust economic structures which leave most people struggling for survival. As has been noted elsewhere, the pre-independence elite were well placed to reap the benefits which Independence brought. They have been joined by the post-independence beneficiaries of patronage and corruption. The social class composition of the beneficiaries has not changed that much, although a larger group at the bottom is reaping the crumbs. It is not surprising that people are prepared to follow politicians till they die as contracts, jobs and housing depend on it. The two young men are hopeful, articulate and positive and need our guidance, love and nurture as their mentors and parents, employers and fellow citizens.

Schools important

Our schools are becoming the most important place of socialisation after the family, and sometimes instead of the family. We should not be trying to push more students in less space; we should be building new schools in a partnership with Government, schools and trusts, the original builders of schools at the secondary level. Year after year we engage in the almost futile discussion after the GSAT results and placement of students.

As our two young men prove, opportunities at home and school and in the community help people to overcome the many obstacles in this society. People need to work and be able to provide for themselves and their families. Otherwise, they will have to depend on others, resulting in a debilitating state of dependency. There are many who have tried to operate their own small to medium-size businesses but have not been able to survive extortion, theft, statutory deductions and the many difficulties that result in Jamaica's lack of competitiveness. This has to become a place which encourages industry and self-reliance and rewards effort instead of patronage.

In the society we have some of the people who make up the solution to remaking Jamaica. We have to face the new Jamaica with the view that there is hope and that we have to find some new ways of organising ourselves.

I am, etc.,

HILARY ROBERTSON-HICKLING (Dr)

UWI, Mona