Dear Editor,

Does the Jamaican society have a moral benchmark?

Our driving behaviour on the nation’s roadways depicts an unrestrained lack of knowledge and understanding of the road code. The disorder on the streets of our urban spaces and town centres confirms the dominance of mobocracy. The impunity with which municipal statutes, such as Noise Abatement Act, building code, Anti-litter Act, and others are breached is astounding. It is, therefore, no wonder public corruption and criminality are viewed in terms of partisan political and personal affiliation.

There seems to be no sector in the country which may be depended on to uphold a consistent ethical direction. One may recall, years ago, when a member of the clergy was implicated in a case of sexual misconduct with an underaged girl. At the court hearing the leadership of a prominent high school for girls was there offering support to the alleged perpetrator.

Over the years, we have seen entertainers convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, and contraband trading, and the masses build for them a pedestal instead of standing for the sanctity of law and order. And then, there are the daily reports of the undermining of the edicts of good governance in public administration, which are always adjudicated along partisan lines in the public square and the legislature.

Our country cannot fully attain, inter alia, consistent economic growth and prosperity, a significant reduction in the per-capita homicide rate, and a generally ordered society, unless a critical mass of our people become invested in a better social space. And it is not just the responsibility of the legislature and the governmental executive, the people, all of us, must become invested in the creation of an orderly society.

Our nation cannot continue along this slippery slope of fickle, self-serving morals and the rabid disorder which runs the gamut of our country. If we continue on this path, we will soon be characterised not by our creativity, resilience, and innovative nature but by our lack of order and support for good governance.

Jamaica runs the risk of losing its best minds to other nations, not because they are better than us but because they espouse a sense of order and structure in which systems work and the likelihood that consequences for acts against regulations will be applied to all.

Jamaica is a great nation, well known and admired in the global space for a wide range of characteristics, from entertainment to sports, education, natural resources, and being at the forefront of representation of key global issues.

As we stand on the threshold of celebrating our 62nd year of political independence, let us resolve to rally around this nation which has given us an identity to reshape its moral identity. Let us start building the foundation that will help us to bequeath to our children a nation of order, brotherhood, and true prosperity. Let us stand for what is just and not what is expedient and self-serving.

Mark A Hylton

markahylton@hotmail.com