THE EDITOR, Madam:ONCE UPON a time in the land of green, black and gold the people were happy. In the year 1962, they were liberated and willing to work hard. The ratio of their dollar was higher or equal to that of the Spangled Banner country and the gross domestic product was admirable. Political parties came into power and went, each leader bringing expertise, dedication to country and to God.
Of course, there were hardships, but the people valiantly fought for their rights and kept their rich culture alive. The environment of the country was free from hazardous pollution, the vegetation was lush, the streets were not likened to wells and the residents could leave their doors open. The highest currency then was the $100 bill. The country was at the height of economic efficiency in its little community of countries. Then tragedy struck. The fairy tale ended.
The sordid robbery of the country's beauty and reputation can be read in libraries, under the guise of history books. The carefree, loving and neighbourly people underwent a change called poverty deficiency. The definition of this disease can be found in the "Innercity Book of Prostitution and Wind-shield Wiping" on all the pages.
It all began when the politicians of the day decided to make decisions for their own profit and not for the upliftment of the inhabitants. They managed this feat by selling the resources of the country to outsiders and private individuals. Did I mention that the country was number one in exporting such items as coffee, sugar cane, bananas, citrus and bauxite to other countries? Well, these resources were sold, or were part-owned or quarter-owned by the Government of the land. Legend has it that on some occasions the private companies laid off hundreds of people and the Government of the country helplessly accepted this. The utilities of the country were also sold out due to bad management and bad decisions.
One such utility was the telephone service. After price hikes upon price hikes only a privileged few were able to afford this luxury. The political system became so corrupt that the people were in a quandary when it was time to vote. The environment became so suffused with impure air and an eroding soil that even the 'bread basket' of the country was predicted as a disaster-prone area. To make matters worse, the crime levels rose to such an exceedingly high level that the people were fearful of each other.
The country of the Spangled Banner became the refuge for most, and sadly, the greatest resource of the country fled in fear and frustration. Some blamed the leaders for their plight and burned the streets or blocked it with rubble whenever they were dissatisfied. Others took advantage of the lawlessness and the era of the 'bad man' to rule sections of the country began. There were two types of bad men; the politicians and the dons, mostly their only distinguishing factor was that one was legitimate and the other was not.
The law enforcers (who in the past were easy-going polite gentlemen) and women became as ferocious as the criminals and in some cases they died as quickly as the offenders. Being in some sections of the country was like being in some war-ravished lands in the east. The stand-off between police and civilian became the norm.
The education of the residents became so expensive that some parents when they looked at the hiked school fees for the school year they shout 'why?' but no answer was forthcoming as the country was demonstrating a parody of democracy and did not want to answer any questions before the cover was blown. Add the astronomical cost for food, gas, real estate, health care and what started out as a fairy tale will end up as a nightmare. Do you recognise this country?
I am, etc.,
BRENDA BARRETT
E-mail:brenalbar@yahoo.com
Northern Caribbean University,
Mandeville P.O.,
Manchester
Via Go-Jamaica
