Tripped but not trapped
The events we have experienced in this country in recent times with regards to curbing crime have left us shell-shocked, yet hopeful for a better tomorrow. So as painful as it has been to watch events in Western Kingston unfold on television, or to read the reports in the papers, there is a sense that things can be better if some hard-line decisions are made to move forward. I want to suggest a few matters for immediate attention.
*The breakdown of the physical and mental garrisons of Jamaica. This mental “degarrisonisation” includes serious review of our dancehall music and culture with a view to promote values-based music and ideals. Bob Marley popularised the saying, “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds”, which is where we need to be at this time. Helping young men and women to see themselves as special and full of worth is where we need to head with our music and sense of identity and pride.
*Involve the church in national talks on development. This is still the trusted institution in the communities, on the ground, listening to the heartbeat of the people.
*Media responsibility – the simple truth about human psychology is that what people know is largely determined by what they see, hear and feel which further determines how they act. In this regard news can move from sensational to sensitivity. Media is an important player in shaping public opinion.
*Political honesty is needed. A truth-telling engagement to foster honesty and transparency will provide a sense of hope of a new beginning.
*Campaign financing. Draw representatives of political parties, the private sector and civil society, to examine and make recommendations on appropriate legislation including provisions for regulating and publicly funding political parties, to combat corruption arising from private financing of political parties and election campaigns.
*Improve credibility of the judicial system.
*Reform the police force.
Furthermore, the future can be lit with hope that with the pursuing of the idea that the fight against dons has begun in Jamaica, this may lead one to become somewhat optimistic about the island’s future. If representatives of the middle and disadvantaged classes, including women, official civic groups, corporate bodies, members of the reggae and dancehall industries and the media, feel increasingly confident in playing a centrestage role, and if the authorities are serious about the “degarrisonisation” of urban communities and able to evade the risk of having the “wars on crime” becoming assaults on the poor then, perhaps, Jamaica may undergo a decline of “don power”. In such a case, Jamaica may also encounter a “reversible destiny”. There are, however, some noticeable challenges in the achievement of these goals. There is an apparent lack of consensus about the norms and values and principles by which the society is guided. There are colliding music forms, colliding sentiments over human rights and the role of the police, colliding ideas as to the country’s direction embodied in entrenched tribalistic and political divisions. There is also a tendency for sporadic interventions by different groups – each doing their own thing. An alliance or coordination of civic bodies is mandatory, as it will require enormous cooperation, unified collective action and consensus to dismantle the embedded nature of criminality and garrison culture in Jamaica.
Furthermore, the future can be lit with hope that with the pursuing of the idea that the fight against dons has begun in Jamaica, this may lead one to become somewhat optimistic about the island’s future. If representatives of the middle and disadvantaged classes, including women, official civic groups, corporate bodies, members of the reggae and dancehall industries and the media, feel increasingly confident in playing a centrestage role, and if the authorities are serious about the “degarrisonisation” of urban communities and able to evade the risk of having the “wars on crime” becoming assaults on the poor then, perhaps, Jamaica may undergo a decline of “don power”. In such a case, Jamaica may also encounter a “reversible destiny”. There are, however, some noticeable challenges in the achievement of these goals. There is an apparent lack of consensus about the norms and values and principles by which the society is guided. There are colliding music forms, colliding sentiments over human rights and the role of the police, colliding ideas as to the country’s direction embodied in entrenched tribalistic and political divisions. There is also a tendency for sporadic interventions by different groups – each doing their own thing. An alliance or coordination of civic bodies is mandatory, as it will require enormous cooperation, unified collective action and consensus to dismantle the embedded nature of criminality and garrison culture in Jamaica.
A revitalised values and attitudes programme must be tied to the Violence Prevention Alliance initiative; the Dispute Resolution Foundation, Teachers Against Violence and the raft of other citizen initiatives that share similar goals. These groups would assume the lead role in educating Jamaican citizens and training the young about peace and non-violence. Such groups would go into primary and high schools and community groups. Also, where mothers and fathers are guardians of garrison codes of behaviour, the children can become messengers of positive inputs inside their own family and community. May the fresh cycle of goodness begin.
Rev Lennox Scarlett is the chaplain of the Knox Complex of Schools.