Dear Editor,
I recently looked at my five-year-old son and had a horrifying epiphany ran across my mind as I imagined Jamaica, land we love, 30 years into the future. Feelings of gloom and hopelessness overtook me. I sat there, head in hand, and literally thought the worst as a million questions raced through my mind. Questions like, what will the rate of exchange for the Jamaican dollar be 30 years from now? Will the country, by then, have successfully put an end to the crime epidemic? Will Jamaica, by then, be a haven of economic prosperity with countless job opportunities for its citizens? Will our energy woes be a thing of the past? And, by then, what would become of our already endangered environment? Yes, all good questions.
As the possible scenarios unravelled in my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if our trusted Government, charged with the mammoth task of leading us into an economically viable future, has pondered the same questions I did. Do they sincerely care where our country might be headed or do they see the positions afforded them by us trusting voters as a mundane 9-5 routine? Do they take solace in their dual citizenship, knowing pretty well that they can abandon ship for greener pastures just in case things take a turn for the worse? If so, what then of those of us who can't swim or have nowhere to swim to? God help us.
Our leaders then need to envisage the future of our country in the negative light that I did and ensure that they do not fail the Jamaican people. At present, our nation is in a crisis. A crisis that requires selfless unity from the leaders on both sides of the political divide if we are to repel the ills that threaten our country's present and future.
Indeed, our children are the future; we need to ensure a viable Jamaica for ourselves and them. And yes, many Jamaicans share the common sentiment that the horse has already gone through the gate and we're all just along for the ride. The onus is then placed squarely on our leaders to revive and rejuvenate the hopes of those of us who have given up the dream of the possibility of a better Jamaica.
There is a saying that goes "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst". While this is true, let's hope for the best as a nation, and work toward the best so that our children, the men and women of Jamaica 30 years from now, our future generation, can indeed inherit the best.
Michael McCallum
xandermac95@yahoo.com
Jamaica, 30 years from now
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I recently looked at my five-year-old son and had a horrifying epiphany ran across my mind as I imagined Jamaica, land we love, 30 years into the future. Feelings of gloom and hopelessness overtook me. I sat there, head in hand, and literally thought the worst as a million questions raced through my mind. Questions like, what will the rate of exchange for the Jamaican dollar be 30 years from now? Will the country, by then, have successfully put an end to the crime epidemic? Will Jamaica, by then, be a haven of economic prosperity with countless job opportunities for its citizens? Will our energy woes be a thing of the past? And, by then, what would become of our already endangered environment? Yes, all good questions.
As the possible scenarios unravelled in my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if our trusted Government, charged with the mammoth task of leading us into an economically viable future, has pondered the same questions I did. Do they sincerely care where our country might be headed or do they see the positions afforded them by us trusting voters as a mundane 9-5 routine? Do they take solace in their dual citizenship, knowing pretty well that they can abandon ship for greener pastures just in case things take a turn for the worse? If so, what then of those of us who can't swim or have nowhere to swim to? God help us.
Our leaders then need to envisage the future of our country in the negative light that I did and ensure that they do not fail the Jamaican people. At present, our nation is in a crisis. A crisis that requires selfless unity from the leaders on both sides of the political divide if we are to repel the ills that threaten our country's present and future.
Indeed, our children are the future; we need to ensure a viable Jamaica for ourselves and them. And yes, many Jamaicans share the common sentiment that the horse has already gone through the gate and we're all just along for the ride. The onus is then placed squarely on our leaders to revive and rejuvenate the hopes of those of us who have given up the dream of the possibility of a better Jamaica.
There is a saying that goes "hope for the best, but prepare for the worst". While this is true, let's hope for the best as a nation, and work toward the best so that our children, the men and women of Jamaica 30 years from now, our future generation, can indeed inherit the best.
Michael McCallum
xandermac95@yahoo.com
Jamaica, 30 years from now
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