Jamaica: a hurting nation - Desensitised to death and suffering
Published: Sunday | February 8, 2009
JAMAICA HAS become an environment in which life is cheap. There appears to be a lack of compassion and a fascination for the macabre. As a nation, we have become desensitised to death and suffering.
On any murder scene, men, women and children can be seen viewing the body with little or no emotion, even as the victim's family members wail.
Let's consider the mentally ill young man who, in his distress, climbed on to a top-floor window-ledge of the Kingston Public Hospital and threatened to jump.
The response of many of our fellow Jamaicans on the ground was beamed around the world. Many stopped what they were doing to get a better view; laughter and mockery could be heard; mobile phones sprung into action; the crowd bayed for blood as communal chants of "Jump!" "Jump!" "Jump!" rang out.
He jumped and was impaled. Some persons turned away in disgust, but others, their need for destruction now satisfied, all but burst into a round of applause.
What is it in our psyche that drives our rush to view mangled and twisted, even decapitated bodies? How have victims of murder or accidents become just another thread in our rich tapestry of social entertainment?
The answer may lay in our traumatic, dehumanising history in which a lynching would be served up as a social spectacle and a deterrent to other slaves.
Historical context
Jamaica's history can be compared to that of the borderline individual.
The island nation was born out of a four-hundred-year period of dehumanising brutality and exploitation in which people were regarded and treated as commodities.
The sum total of slavery was the complete ownership of the individual - the slave had no rights over his body, his mind, his sexuality, his offspring; even the union of marriage was forbidden. His life could be taken at his master's whim.
Death and suffering were a common sight. As a nation, we have been physically, emotionally and sexually abused. This was Jamaica's childhood.
Our slavers, our colonial masters, our mother country - ironically they were all one and the same - abused us.
What can we make of this unhealthy attachment and what is the impact today?
Is this the reason the country has borderline personality disorder?
Now that we have diagnosed what's wrong with Jamaica, the immediate question must be: Is there a solution for a country described as having borderline personality disorder (BPD)? For Dr Richards the answer is yes, and she is suggesting a therapeutic model.
"Psychological therapy for BPD is about teaching the individual/nation to be reflective and to understand what their self-harming behaviour means," Dr Richards says.
Patient: Create a safe environment for the patient.
The Nation: Removal of the items used to harm ourselves. How we can stem the tide of guns and cocaine into the island remains a challenging question.
Patient: This helps the patient to predict the world around him and to model order.
The Nation: This would mean an enforcement of the rule of law. Like the borderline patient, Jamaica needs solid and unwavering enforcement of the law to help us become a disciplined people.
We have all the laws we ever need; however, sometimes there is lack of enforcement and this inconsistency sends a double message. Most critically, we look to you, the enforcers of our law, to not only enforce them for ALL, but to also abide by them.
Patient: Educate the patient about the nature of his pycho-pathology.
The Nation: Insight and education about the nature of our collective ailment are crucial. From prep school to university, we are faced with an opportunity to educate our young about what patriotism really means and how we damage ourselves.
Too often, the blame is cast at the door of the Government and we shed collective responsibility.
As Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."
We need to revolutionise the concept of citizenship.
The Patient: This is a system of rewards for desirable behaviour which has long been used with patients.
The Nation: Jamaica needs to create opportunities for those who work hard. Nothing can be more demotivating for our youths than the thought that no matter how hard they work, their efforts will be thwarted by a lack of employment. It is in this context that gang life starts to look appealing.
The Patient: Enable the patient to develop strong, positive and nurturing attachments.
The Nation: Our leaders are our caregivers. They have been entrusted with the care of the nation. Jamaicans require strong, respectful and positive attachments with our leaders. For this to develop, our leaders and institutions must behave in a manner befitting of respect and we must show ourselves willing to be led. Thus, corruption, exploitation of the finances, or ignorance of the people have no place in a benevolent and dedicated government of the people. Such a situation would be reminiscent of Jamaica's abusive, early attachments. Once the patient gets a whiff that the doctor or clinician is in it only for money, the patient will distrust him and the relationship will be insecure, to say the least.
We need leaders who will be compassionate; who will do what is right for the country and not pander to popularity; leaders who will create a safe environment and plan for our future. In short, we need leaders like the parents we never had.
