Orville W. Taylor
AAAH!! WITH the exception of a few communities we were spared the wrath of the angel of death. However, all along the south coast Ivan reminded us of our West Indian identity and tore through our batting order and whitewashed us. Only this time it was not a game. I need another column to speak fully about the damage but my heart goes out to the scores of folk who are now shelter-less. It is a time to act fast and decisively to re-establish hope and be mindful of our real priorities. There are worse things than having to drink warm lemonade or listen to a transistor radio (well it depends on who is talking) so let's get it on and avoid the trivia.
Call a spade a spade. No matter what, it is impossible for a politician to do anything right. Now, there are a few petty things that displease me about some such as their wearing shirts woefully out of style for which the fashion police should arrest them. Then, there is the frequent 'faux pas' and battery of the English language they commit. This 'languicide' is common but I honestly don't generally expect politicians or lawyers to be masters of grammar. In fact when told that my command of language is suited to law or politics I am usually unflattered if not offended.
A SOLID LEXICON
However, I do expect academics and media personalities to be purveyors of a solid lexicon with impeccable linguistic repertoires. (Sound nice, don't?) So it is not a big deal if a politician says 'reconaisse' instead of reconnoitre. (By the way it is French not English... Merci!) As a public intellectual I recognise that part of my task in national development is to educate and show proper diction. Therefore it annoys me when my university colleagues flounder or talk-show hosts struggle to say, "aam...uh...wha..whatever!" In fact I hear more 'alms' on a popular programme than one finds in the poorhouse. Yet, the truth is, that makes no difference right now. So, let's focus on action, not talk.
The declaration of the state of emergency prior to the anticipated landfall of the hurricane immediately became a political issue. Objections that it was premature were mm...muttered and st...stuttered from all quarters. Being a child of the 1960s and 1970s I have grave misgivings about any abridgement of my constitutional rights and the giving of the police the right to search or detain without clear reason. Nonetheless, faced with an all-island blackout and a set of looters ready to play a morbid game of 'room for rent apply within,' I support a short-term declaration. True, Gilbert was worse, and Eddie waited until after the event, but this is not 1988 and 'dem bwoy ya' have more and bigger guns and have committed far more violent crimes this year. So, I would fancy my chances with an over-zealous cop rather than a 'hungry prowler'. By the way, the Cayman Islands did the same.
Still, Ivan showed us some areas of our under-preparation. For example, at both major trauma hospitals in Kingston, there was no available water stored and the back up generator at one was not in service. Wasn't it checked beforehand? Incidentally, none of the eight 'hurricane' victims brought to its emergency unit had injuries related to Ivan unless that was the name of the person who shot or chopped them. It does give a different meaning to a state of emergency, doesn't it?
Thumbs up Brother Desmond, I see your work did pay off, because far more communities could have been flooded. Yet, despite minimal damage in some communities we are 'left in the dark' as to why electricity took so long to be restored. I suspect that there is a shortage of staff with the recent redundancies and the rumours of limits on overtime. Is it 'portable' water? Well definitely, because it had to be carried, and you can guess where the 'r' came from. Sorry Danny Buck, whatever you may say, any potable liquid that looks like that must come from a fruit or vegetable. Even if boiled, that substance could not be swallowed because it had a lot of solids. Bauxite is not in the recommended daily allowance of minerals and vitamins. To pay for 'flush quality' water is really money 'down the drain.' If it is not clear water then you don't 'rate' us.
Now, although time is precious why open schools last week? Since all are doing the same curriculum won't the unready ones be disadvantaged? Good luck!
In the re-construction effort there is the pledge of foreign aid. Critics suggest that the Government may exaggerate in order to make a better case like a 'crack head' trying to con you into giving him/her money. Similarly, there is the view that Ivan will be a scapegoat for the expected downturn in the economy. That might be true, but don't politicians make mileage out of most situations? What was different in 1988?
TO THE RESCUE
It is good that corporate Jamaica is coming to the rescue. Distributors are open even though it is alleged that some of the prices have been jacked up like Fat Man's old van? And the lotto company is donating millions. Wonderful! Give back some? I 'bet' some of the money will again be used to buy tickets. Let us attempt to forge a sense of national co-operation, focus on the task before us all and leave the politicking and personal agendas until later.
OK pastors, I know that despite the prayers the church buildings got damaged, but "run back some of the collection too nuh?"
Dr. Orville W. Taylor is
lecturer in the Department
of Sociology, Psychology and
Social Work at the University
of the West Indies, Mona.
