Written
by Hansen von Shneir
www.Jamlink.com
You will recall my last letter to you
entitled: “Jamaica’s New Approach”.First let me thank those of you who took the
time to respond to the letter, and for your patience regarding a follow-up
response to your comments and suggestions. My delayed response was deliberate,
as I wanted to carefully consider the concerns shared in each of the numerous
emails I received.Having done so, I am heartened by the
commonality of pride and hope shared by my fellow Jamaicans for our beloved
island. And though I am encouraged by this optimism about Jamaica’s future, I
am also mindful of the prevailing conditions that currently plague Jamaica.
Reading your emails, I am also overwhelmed by
the degree of frustrations, which assail our people. And while many of you
expressed a strong desire for immediate solutions, I must ask your continued
patience, and counsel against any illusion of a “quick-fix” proposition. Your
consensus on the issues affecting Jamaica is far too critical to be treated
lightly.
Among your many concerns, these three were
paramount:
- The inability of the local authorities to
control a spiraling crime rate;
- The lack of resolve of the government to
re-vitalize the country with economic opportunities;
- An education system that does not support
Jamaica’s core competencies;
I am left with the recognition that our
problems are permanently engraved in our history, and compounded further by
practice and culture. It is therefore incumbent upon us to consider a “New
Approach” - one that has a clear focus on sustainability. And so, where do we go from here?
First, I believe it is important that we
continue to engage in this form of civil dialogue. Too often have we stifled
our progress with minor disagreements and internal rivalry.Secondly, collectively as Jamaicans, since we
are aware of the circumstances on the ground, there are no reasons why we
cannot agree on a common approach that serves the overall good. With a firm
resolve, we can do this. And thirdly, we have to be cautious not to
copy a model that has worked for other communities and then to apply it as a
solution for Jamaica’s problems.
This will not work. We must become cognizant
that our nation’s unique situation demands its own solutions.
There is an abundance of resources on the
island that could be harnessed to provide opportunities and wealth for our
people, as evidenced by the number of multi-national corporations that are
buying into Jamaica. Let’s become proactive in identifying these opportunities
for ourselves.I confess that I am on the outside looking
in. However, the observer’s role has enabled me with the insight and the
capacity to provide for this type of discourse. I am aware of Jamaica’s social
and economic perils, and even more aware of the positive impact of certain
aspects of our culture on the world.
We need to make a commitment to have this type
of impact on ourselves … our people … and our country.
Join me in this dialogue, so that we may
explore the ways in which our collaborative efforts can change the reality on
the ground. In the upcoming months, I shall make provisions for a website. This
will allow for a more efficient form of communication among those committed to
this purpose.In the meantime, I want to thank all of you
in advance for your time, your suggestions, and your initiative, as the
dialogue continues.
