I write in response to an article written by Garfield Higgins entitled, ‘It’s the youth who must agitate to change the status quo’ published in the The Agenda of the Sunday Observer of the December 6, 2015.
The article was superbly written and thought-provoking, in respect to his charge to the Jamaican youth to agitate to bring about needed change to the point of challenging the status quo.
Unfortunately, the inherent dangers for those who should wish to travel down that noble road in the interest of their country were not highlighted, although one suspects that many would probably be well aware based on the many examples played out in front of them in public life. The most recent example being that of Dr Alfred Dawes, who chose to speak out and now finds himself having to emigrate to The Bahamas because of perceived, possible or real, discriminatory treatment. Young Jamaicans taking up the cudgel need to be made aware of the very long arm of politics in Jamaica. This arm reaches into every sector in our very small country, and I suspect even to the other English-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Our politics is the true determinant as to ‘who gets what, when, and where’.
So in challenging the status quo, whether by speaking out or by other forms of protest or objection, such a person must understand that he/she will inevitably find oneself in the cold, so to speak, and doors start slamming in your face, if ever opened for you at all. No doubt this is the case in most democratic countries, but I suspect there is nowhere as perverse and mafia-like, given the tribal nature of our politics with its accompanying sidekick of corruption.
This is not to discourage our youth from agitating and speaking out, but to be prepared for the outcome, or as those who would threaten them in order to maintain silence and the status quo, ‘the consequences’. It is certainly a very lonely road where you make very few long-lasting and loyal friendships, lose many friends overnight, and make many enemies; some you will know, others you will never. What is important for survival is a strong belief in the cause, a sincerity of purpose, and a zeal equal to that of a missionary. What is the reward? A satisfaction that you did something to make life better for your brother man, and in your old age a conscience you can live with.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com
The article was superbly written and thought-provoking, in respect to his charge to the Jamaican youth to agitate to bring about needed change to the point of challenging the status quo.
Unfortunately, the inherent dangers for those who should wish to travel down that noble road in the interest of their country were not highlighted, although one suspects that many would probably be well aware based on the many examples played out in front of them in public life. The most recent example being that of Dr Alfred Dawes, who chose to speak out and now finds himself having to emigrate to The Bahamas because of perceived, possible or real, discriminatory treatment. Young Jamaicans taking up the cudgel need to be made aware of the very long arm of politics in Jamaica. This arm reaches into every sector in our very small country, and I suspect even to the other English-speaking islands of the Caribbean. Our politics is the true determinant as to ‘who gets what, when, and where’.
So in challenging the status quo, whether by speaking out or by other forms of protest or objection, such a person must understand that he/she will inevitably find oneself in the cold, so to speak, and doors start slamming in your face, if ever opened for you at all. No doubt this is the case in most democratic countries, but I suspect there is nowhere as perverse and mafia-like, given the tribal nature of our politics with its accompanying sidekick of corruption.
This is not to discourage our youth from agitating and speaking out, but to be prepared for the outcome, or as those who would threaten them in order to maintain silence and the status quo, ‘the consequences’. It is certainly a very lonely road where you make very few long-lasting and loyal friendships, lose many friends overnight, and make many enemies; some you will know, others you will never. What is important for survival is a strong belief in the cause, a sincerity of purpose, and a zeal equal to that of a missionary. What is the reward? A satisfaction that you did something to make life better for your brother man, and in your old age a conscience you can live with.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com