Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Independent Candidate Ras Astor Black (left) on Nomination Day for the eastern Westmoreland constituency at Darliston Primary with his advisor, Jennifer Nugent. - PHOTO BY ADRIAN FRATER
WESTERN BUREAU:
Unable to recall the names of some of the candidates he has contested since 2001, independent candidate in the eastern Westmoreland by-election, Ras Astor Black, says the important thing is to have the voices of the disenfranchised heard.
A developer by profession, Black goes up against mechanical engineer, Luther Buchanan of the People's National Party (PNP) and attorney-at-law, Don Foote of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
"I am representing the humble people of Jamaica, who are discriminated against constantly and cannot get their voices heard," Black, leader of the Rastafarian political party, Jamaica Alliance Movement (JAM) told The Gleaner.
Anxious to have his party represented in Parliament, this is the fourth time that Black has competed against candidates of the two main political parties.
The largest number of votes he has ever garnered in any election is 42, when he ran in the north east St. Ann by-election against the JLP's Shahine Robinson, the PNP's Carol Jackson and the National Democratic Movement's Barbara Walker five years ago.
LOSING DEPOSIT
Having developed a reputation for losing his deposit each time he competes he, undaunted, refuses to admit defeat.
"I have never lost an election, I enter with issues and come out a winner, once these issues are aired," he stated. "I want to go into the House of Parliament and speak on behalf of Jamaicans who want a hand up and not hands out, Jamaicans asking for their fair share of wealth."
Outlining his vision for the country, the former Cornwall College student, who spent over 20 years in the United States as a television and radio host, said education is at the top of his agenda.
He has urged voters to turn out tomorrow and vote independent, with their heart and one love, and is promising that, if elected, he will lobby to reduce unemploy-ment by half, through new jobs, skills development, assistance to small businesses, opportunities for self-employment and sustainable development.
