Is it too far-fetched
for us to imagine a kinder, gentler, more disciplined Jamaica or are we too far
gone? Imagine a Jamaica with less hostility, where each looks out for the
other, and all are interested in seeing the country’s development recognizing
that Jamaica’s prosperity benefits each individual. Imagine a country whose
citizens have been re-socialized to value hard work, where violence and
crassness are not glorified, where the rule of law counts and Jamaica is the place of choice to live, work, raise
families, and do business. An elusive dream?
This is
the Jamaica I would love to see and I believe it’s achievable. For me, the great thing about it is
that we don’t need more social programmes or millions of dollars to fix many of
these things. I
believe there are small, practical steps each person can take for us to collectively
improve Jamaica.
So let us turn Jamaica
around with the same fervor we would a company, let’s make an investment in
Jamaica, building social capital. But we must start with changing our mindset, acknowledging
there is work to be done and that each person has a role to play. Then there
needs to be a willingness to address the issues, moving away from the ‘wha dat
haffi do wid me’ mentality, to seeing the
broader picture that an improved Jamaica means more investment, growth in the
economy, available jobs, better infrastructure and an improved quality of life for
citizens. Put in that light, there ought to be a determination toward creating lasting
change which benefits us all. And yes,
change will not be immediate, but in time we are guaranteed a return on
investment to create a new Jamaica, if even for our children. And who wouldn’t
want that?
The
state depends on social stability and consensus. This sets the stage for
thriving economic and social development when all participants (government,
corporate sector, civil society, church, interest groups, individuals) work jointly
to identify and pursue common goals. Just as no company can build a strong
brand without people who either share its core values or possess the
willingness and ability to embrace those values. So it is that Jamaica requires
a cooperative buy-in where each person realizes he/she individually, is part of
a larger institution and must work together with as a unified force, aimed at
building a better Jamaica. ‘Wan finga cyaan kill louse’ (One finger alone cannot kill
lice).
Let’s start with what
it means to be a proud Jamaican. A great culture
starts with a vision and a mission statement. In a few sentences, these words
guide a company’s values and provide it with standards, a rallying cry and purpose.
That purpose, in turn, ought to influence every decision employees make. When prominently
displayed and treated as more then mere words in a frame and when portrayed
consistently in leaders’ actions, good mission statements can be a continuous
guide to employees. I think our beautifully crafted National Pledge and Anthem
serve this purpose; as both articulate values and guidelines for our behaviour
and conviction as Jamaicans. But the problem is, for many of us they were
learnt through rote so they have no real meaning. Because we have not internalized,
we can’t realize. If we had, the principles would have been entrenched in our
consciousness, manifested in our daily life. So at the end of the day, it means
very little.
Here
are my thoughts on what I consider simple but significant solutions we could
all try and which I think could make the well needed difference:
- Start teaching, really teaching our people, especially our children, the National Pledge and Anthem in a way that they understand what they really mean. Not something to just go through the motions and reel off the words. But to emphasize the importance of what the words mean and how Jamaica benefits if we were to act on the pledge.
- Say and sing them often: at national events, corporate functions, schools, Churches. Keep them ever before us to remind us what we have pledged to do as citizens and what we would like for our country.
- Instill in our people a respect and reverence for the National Pledge and Anthem for them to truly become more than symbols but statements of a mission and vision.
To Be Continued ….
(Join me next week
for part two of this post where I humbly offer other simple but significant solutions we could try and which I think could help in rebuilding Jamaica)
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