Beverley Anderson Manley
HUMAN BEINGS are often involved in a struggle for some type of self-actualisation. Abraham Maslow's theory of a "hierarchy of needs" is based on the idea that individuals and groups, like biological organisms, operate most effectively when their basic needs are satisfied. These needs, according to Maslow, are the ones that must be addressed if self-actualisation is to be achieved.
During the process of re-connecting with the delegates of the PNP, it was not unusual to be greeted by some with the sentiment "nutten na gwaan fi mi". In addition many delegates made it clear that based on their experiences - they did not believe the candidates would have continued interest in them. Hence, "whatever you have fi gi mi - gi it to me NOW". Many of the delegates stated that it was the candidate who could address their needs now who would get their support. This was upfront and direct conversation. The delegates were demanding that their immediate and physiological needs be met now.
The political parties like other institutions in Jamaica need to be transformed. Many of the party members, like other members of society, are embedded in cynicism, Hence, it is not surprising that there is so much being asked of the Prime Minister-designate, Portia Simpson Miller, who is expected to be able to make all things possible; in particular those concerns at the bottom of the 'hierarchy of needs'. This is replicated across the social classes, the expectations are high.
CHRONIC POVERTY
In attempting to address these basic needs, Jamaica has signed protocols to do with poverty alleviation/eradication. The national statistics tell us that poverty is declining, but have we even began to deal with chronic poverty - those at the lowest rung of the poverty ladder? Think for a moment of the woman who lives in deep, rural Jamaica in a shack with her children, eking out a living by hustling. She sends her children to school some days. She is among the chronic poor; or think about the man who lives in urban Jamaica who has a minimum wage job. He is among the working poor - but still poor. It is not surprising, therefore, that when delegates see an opportunity to meet their basic needs, they seize it - this is human nature.
CONCRETE AND SUSTAINABLE ACTION
What will it take to lift women and men out of this cynicism? What will it take to 'dig us out' of this sea of despair? This is the society that Portia Simpson Miller walks into today. She knows it well. She sees it in her constituency every day. How is her administration going to be able to meet these basic needs in concrete and practical ways? Long after we have proclaimed peace and love - if the realities of hardship remain on the ground - there is no sustainability, just fleeting moments of 'feeling good'.
We must begin to see joint programmes for economic empowerment - e.g., making it easy for small businesses to access low interest loans while training borrowers to prepare business plans and operate those businesses. Simultaneous with that must be the type of education process that provides our students with the capacity to think and plan their lives.
The more privileged in the society, who have stepped up from the base of the triangle of that 'hierarchy of needs' can powerfully provide a space within which someone else can be assisted to deal with their basic necessities of life. It is this opportunity to step up that ladder that can lead eventually to self-actualisation.
As we reflect on the need to meet basic needs of the majority of our women, men and children - let us develop a sense of urgency so that we can truly have a Jamaica of peace and love - a Jamaica that is caring of our people - a Jamaica that wants every Jamaican to have the possibility of self-actualisation and, therefore, the possibility to live an effective life.
It is time to stop the madness and chart a different course.
Beverley Anderson Manley is a political scientist and gender specialist. Email: BManley@kasnt.com.
