Dear Editor,
I am a Jamaican, not by accident of birth but by choice. I decided to be a Jamaican because I love my country and think it is exceptional. So whenever I had the opportunity to become a naturalised American, I choose not to. But when I look at the world today and the strong winds of technological change and global competition, it makes me nervous. Perhaps most unsettling is the realities that while these force gather strength, Jamaicans seem unable or unwilling to grasp the magnitude of the challenges that face us. But I won't bet against Jamaica.
The fact that some leaders in other geographic locations do well in trying to lead or govern, they are no threat to us — even as we keep trying to improve our own performance. The crime data is alarming but we will see a steady decrease if we care to tackle the problem. Attempts by member states Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, for example, to create world class economies... don't endanger our institutions or economy, and nothing prevents us from making better use of our resources for more and more of our people.
It is the lack of vision, poor management styles, disproportionate spending and corruption in various sectors that brought us to such a desperate state. But we shall prevail in the midst of the crisis or ignominy. Certainly, as a nation, we are in this together (regardless of our status) so we have to seek ways to survive. Although I cannot compare Jamaica to the United States for notable reasons, through good times and bad, Americans have always worried about falling behind. That helps explain why the US remains the world's leading nation.
To solve a problem, we must first understand it. And Jamaica is loaded with societal problems. Our schools, for example, aren't logging across the board. Where they struggle is in educating students ... not only to pass test ... but to excel in certain subject areas and prepare them to pursue occupations that are in demand. The Government must also create better education opportunities for them. Focus on that, and watch the gap close between our test scores and those of other member-states, or the less diverse nations. And we will see a decrease in unemployment, crime and illiteracy because they go hand in hand.
As the world changes, our decision makers in government must seek ways in order to steer the nation in the right direction and create meaningful opportunities for the people.So yes, the world is changing, and yes, Jamaica — like all the world's countries — has a lot of hard work to do to keep up. It is deeply misleading, though, for some analysts and economists to cherry-pick dismal statistics from here and there to create an overall image of decline.
I must admit, however, that although it may become necessary to borrow, Jamaica must turn away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and start producing by investing heavily in agriculture and education in order to increase growth and to compete globally because we cannot depend on the IMF to steer our future. What we need is collective collaboration between the ruling party, the Opposition, and the private organisations, along with proper accountability measures for the benefit of our present and future generation.
Charlie Brown
charliebrown1004@gmail.com
I will not give up on Jamaica
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I am a Jamaican, not by accident of birth but by choice. I decided to be a Jamaican because I love my country and think it is exceptional. So whenever I had the opportunity to become a naturalised American, I choose not to. But when I look at the world today and the strong winds of technological change and global competition, it makes me nervous. Perhaps most unsettling is the realities that while these force gather strength, Jamaicans seem unable or unwilling to grasp the magnitude of the challenges that face us. But I won't bet against Jamaica.
The fact that some leaders in other geographic locations do well in trying to lead or govern, they are no threat to us — even as we keep trying to improve our own performance. The crime data is alarming but we will see a steady decrease if we care to tackle the problem. Attempts by member states Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, for example, to create world class economies... don't endanger our institutions or economy, and nothing prevents us from making better use of our resources for more and more of our people.
It is the lack of vision, poor management styles, disproportionate spending and corruption in various sectors that brought us to such a desperate state. But we shall prevail in the midst of the crisis or ignominy. Certainly, as a nation, we are in this together (regardless of our status) so we have to seek ways to survive. Although I cannot compare Jamaica to the United States for notable reasons, through good times and bad, Americans have always worried about falling behind. That helps explain why the US remains the world's leading nation.
To solve a problem, we must first understand it. And Jamaica is loaded with societal problems. Our schools, for example, aren't logging across the board. Where they struggle is in educating students ... not only to pass test ... but to excel in certain subject areas and prepare them to pursue occupations that are in demand. The Government must also create better education opportunities for them. Focus on that, and watch the gap close between our test scores and those of other member-states, or the less diverse nations. And we will see a decrease in unemployment, crime and illiteracy because they go hand in hand.
As the world changes, our decision makers in government must seek ways in order to steer the nation in the right direction and create meaningful opportunities for the people.So yes, the world is changing, and yes, Jamaica — like all the world's countries — has a lot of hard work to do to keep up. It is deeply misleading, though, for some analysts and economists to cherry-pick dismal statistics from here and there to create an overall image of decline.
I must admit, however, that although it may become necessary to borrow, Jamaica must turn away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and start producing by investing heavily in agriculture and education in order to increase growth and to compete globally because we cannot depend on the IMF to steer our future. What we need is collective collaboration between the ruling party, the Opposition, and the private organisations, along with proper accountability measures for the benefit of our present and future generation.
Charlie Brown
charliebrown1004@gmail.com
I will not give up on Jamaica
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