The airwaves on the predominantly Caribbean radio stations here in South Florida were alight with the reaction to the Jamaican elections. In gauging the response I would say most folks are optimistic about the future and adopting a wait and see approach to Bruce Golding’s victory based on the various bits and pieces of the call-in programs that I had the opportunity to hear. Most callers on these programs were hopeful that the change that would take place after 18 years would be for the better. There also was hope that Jamaica was deviating from the hardline garrison party politics and were looking to vote on the issues.
There was also a backlash about Sister P’s comment about not wanting thieves to control the outcome of the election. I myself did not hear the comment nor did I find a report of it online but most callers and moderators were furious about it. They claimed that it could in fact spawn a violent reaction among some sectors on the island. And not surprisingly Sister P was ripped for her uncouth approach. One caller pointed out that the country needs someone who can give good representation and compared her to a "sketel". Lawd gees dat was kinda harsh tho.........
One thing I gathered from the calls though. Most Jamaicans abroad are concerned about the crime and violence in JA. They are fearful of what can happen when they visit the island. I wonder if this concern is also at the top of the average Jamaican’s list of concerns. I don’t think anyone welcomes violence but that element has far deeper issues with it such as poverty, lack of opportunities for the youth and so forth. So when the callers to these programs talk forcefully about stopping crime as if waving a magic wand will cure the problem I wonder what eyes they are looking at this through. There may be a gap between what we as Jamaicans abroad hope for versus what Jamaicans in JA hope for.
One program, Links 104.7 FM played the Marcia Griffiths song Fire Burning with Cutty Ranks and one line stuck with me: ….. “We’d like to ask you leaders, what do you have in mind………………?”
So now that we look like we are changing course that question seems appropriate!
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2 comments:
Let's see if she can rise above it and be effective in Opposition. Somehow,I think she would be losing the leadership race.
The Gleaner carried most of Portia's unfortunate speech.
She all but ran onto the stage, we all thought she would have something worthwhile to say...something encouraging to her supporters, something gracious. Instead, sadly, she did what she did.
I agree with abeni. We will need a very strong Opposition, so I do hope she is able to refocus and get her party to come together.
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