Davies
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I READ with interest the article 'Taking Jamaica Back' by your columnist, Ms. Amina Blackwood-Meeks, published in your edition of Thursday, June 22. In the column, Ms. Blackwood-Meeks discussed the apathy towards voting demonstrated by many people (including her son) and links this to what she asserts is the insensitivity and unresponsiveness of the government "to the wishes, pleadings and demands of people for some basic things."
She then lists 10 examples of this insensitivity and unresponsiveness and concludes the column by calling on fellow citizens to "take back" the country from this lack of accountability as a precursor to "rebuilding it."
Undoubtedly, there are instances where one could take issue with Ms. Blackwood-Meeks. This is not my objective although I am interested in knowing what she means by "rebuilding Jamaica." What was the "built" Jamaica to which she wishes us to return? Ambassador Dudley Thompson's recent comment on the matter of the 'good old days' is fresh in my mind.
To move the discussion along, I am willing to concede all the assertions made by Ms. Blackwood-Meeks in order to pinpoint what I would consider to be a major omission in too many discussions about those members of the society who are seen to have no voice in decisions affecting their lives.
A simple question I wish to raise is what of people's responsibility for themselves and for their communities? As an elected representative, I can state unequivocally that a large per cent of those who complain and protest most are unwilling to take responsibility for anything, including their own actions.
Examples abound. At the heart of many public protests are young men in their early 20s who complain bitterly that they need work because "is 13 youth me get."
Is this a problem to be solved by government? At the community level, much concern is often voiced about drains and gullies blocked with garbage.
Whilst garbage collection is a responsibility of local government, do citizens not also have some responsibility in refraining from wanton littering?
It would be useful if one of the media houses, whilst interviewing those engaged in blocking roads and protesting would seek to find out how many of the protesters are active in the PTA of the school their children attend. The plain fact is that too much of national energy is channelled into protesting against as opposed to working for something.
As I said at the beginning I am willing to concede all the assertions made by Ms. Blackwood-Meeks but we should at the same time not perpetuate the view that someone else is responsible for our destiny. The apathy to which we makes reference is simply another manifestation of this philosophy. When individuals begin to assume greater responsibility for their own behaviour as well as for their communities, then the dominant role of any politician, or any administration, in their daily lives will be reduced, as it should be.
In closing, I reiterate that I found Ms. Blackwood-Meeks' column thought-provoking but it reflects only a partial statement of the problem and hence of a possible solution.
I am, etc.,
OMAR DAVIES, MP
Minister
Ministry of Finance & Planning
