• About the author

Jamaica: Political Economy

~ Views on what's happening in and around the Yard

Jamaica: Political Economy

Daily Archives: September 15, 2014

We all need challenges, and let people take charge to lift a finger

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by The Grasshopper in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

If you are a good manager, you are always looking for ways to motivate those who work with and for you. So, too, if you’re a parent with regard to finding ways to develop a child’s abilities. It’s often the case that the bizarre is what is needed to add a spark or get things moving. So, it is in my mind with the now famed ‘ice bucket challenge’. When I wrote about this previously, I could understand the base instincts that made it work, one of which was it’s seeming unique. Now that people have been doing it for a while, and the ALS Foundation has become awash with funds–over US$110 million, I last heard–people have started to focus on how the instincts could be diverted to other worthy causes.

Jamaica has many needs and most of them can be addressed with money, at least, though they often need much else, such as manpower, and intelligent approaches to avoid their recurrence. Last week, I was infuriated by a television program (on ‘Live at 7’) about the appalling state of ‘Jamaica’s heritage’. It showed dilapidated buildings, including the offices of the Jamaican National Heritage Trust–all peeling paint, rotting wood, broken windows, and more. It showed images of the beautiful Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, and had people talking about this and that project, none of which had gotten very far. Discussions focused on lost Taino artefacts, and heritage sites for Rastafarian culture. The part missing in most of the efforts was money, not least that the Trust had no capital budget. Well, it may as well pack up?

A country with a whopping public debt burden, as Jamaica is, cannot look toward government to solve many of the problems that face it, even if many of them came from government neglect and misuse of borrowed funds. It’s water under the bridge. We can feel angry and bitter about it, and even look to blame a bunch of politicians of either principal colour. Truth is, it’s the fault of the collective. The population let these things happen, either by commission or omission. So, to change the population also needs to  take charge.

Over the weekend, we had what has become the ‘sport’ of choice. The Gleaner hosted a 5K run/walk. These have become very popular fund-raising events in Jamaica. What do they show? That people, offered a personal challenge, will put themselves out and put money behind efforts. Sure, many will be there for the social and the face-time. But, so what? Some will be there to test themselves, either as committed runners, or budding runners, or those on fitness regimes. Again, so what? The Gleaner committed to put part of the funds raised towards worthy causes. That motivated people, as do the other 5Ks. All quite normal. The event probably mustered several thousand people.

Now, here’s the irony. A blood drive was mounted the same day by media personality, Fae Ellington, to mark her 40th year in media. From what I saw, and I am ready to stand corrected, the take up was small. She wanted 100 units of blood. She got 50, but I noted that 40 members of the JDF gave blood, which suggests that ordinary folks were few. Some challenges do not draw people in. I suggested to one of the proponents that it perhaps needed to be named the #bloodgivingchallenge, to tap into the wave of interest that ‘challenge’ may create. There’s always an opportunity to give blood. (I’m usually a donor, but stayed away this time, as I was recently vaccinated against yellow fever.)

So, here’s the challenge. Jamaica needs to challenge itself. Jamaicans need to challenge Jamaicans. But, we need to focus our challenges on righting many of the wrongs that have taken hold and become too much part of the fabric.

I could suggest, glibly, “I challenge all gun men to take their weapons to the police and never fire another shot”. Great idea? How could it work? Criminals would have the incentive to keep their guns , thinking that others would surrender theirs.

But, we need some focused an manageable challenges, similar to what some churches do, with a food drive: bring in a tin or box, and contribute to fighting someone’s hunger.

The heritage failings is one area begging for challenge help. In truth, the country has so many challenges that we would get fatigued thinking about them. Truth is, also, that many people and organisations are working on overcoming the many challenges we face–and I’m thinking of foundations run by the likes of Digicel, National Commercial Bank, Scotiabank, LIME, and others. But, maybe, they seem too much like big people waving around big money.

This coming weekend, we have the kind of challenge that some people are also seemingly willing to take on. It’s a weekend for international coastal cleanup. I have no idea how much garbage will be collected. I hope it’s little, but I suspect it will be heaps. When we’ve finished, we’ll probably drive home, past more heaps of garbage on roadsides. We probably won’t stop to pick it up. A friend last week spoke about taking home garbage collected at an event, which did not have any receptacles for rubbish. OK. We can sway “Duh!” but would we put trash in our car? Some of us have?

Jamaica’s fixes are lots of little things that need to get done, but there are so many of them that they seem insurmountable.

Look around. Find a challenge.220px-Hibbert_House_01 Take it on. Better still, challenge a friend or neighbour to do the same. If some money can be raised in the process, Bravo! But, make the change visible. How many people and tins of paint, and cement, and putty, would it take to restore and repaint the Jamaica Heritage Trust’s offices? I suspect very little. Bureaucracy aside, has JNHT thought of just issuing a ‘restoration challenge’?

I put it to you that the solutions are not that far away.

Just as I finished writing, I glimpsed Jean Lowrie-Chin’s column in the Jamaica Observer, which notes that a school water tank challenge has begun in Jamaica. Perform 10 push ups and donate $500 or donate $1000 with no push ups or if you cannot complete 10, the funds going towards water tanks in schools. Give me 10! It may not seem like a lot, but it will go a far way. Counting, 1, 2…

Share this by clicking desired button:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Recent Posts

  • Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr Haughton has unfinished business
  • Jamaica’s crime monster looks like it’s grown much stronger and we’re all suffering because of it
  • A hard road to travel: curbing mayhem on Jamaican roads
  • Bank of Jamaica explains the FX market
  • Piecing together the picture: Why P matters so much in Jamaica

Recent Comments

petchary on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
petchary on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
Scared for the holid… on Jamaica’s crime monster looks…
Kate Chappell on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
petchary on A hard road to travel: curbing…

Archives

  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013

Blogs I Follow

  • Damien King
  • ShaneKells
  • DHG CONSULTS
  • nadzspeaks
  • jamaicachange
  • Dr CJPJ
  • Albert Darnell Anderson
  • Ramona Crisstea
  • "write pon di riddim"
  • The Terrible Tout's Weblog
  • CCRP Jamaica
  • Zaheer's "Facts, Lies & Statistics"
  • Notes for a New Day
  • Help Mi Consulting
  • thecrooksofthematter
  • Jamaica: Political Economy
  • Meanwhile...back up North
  • Right Steps & Poui Trees
  • Active Voice
  • rodneysocampbell

Categories

  • Commentary
  • Economic issues
  • Politics
  • Reportage
  • Uncategorized

Copyright declaration

© Dennis George Jones and 'Jamaica: Political Economy' 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dennis George Jones and 'Jamaica: Political Economy' with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,775 other followers

Follow me on Twitter @dennisgjones

My Tweets

Flickr Photos

Bald EaglePere Marquette 1225 Locomotive-Carland Michiganwinter female tanager 3
More Photos
September 2014
M T W T F S S
« Aug   Oct »
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  

Recent Comments

petchary on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
petchary on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
Scared for the holid… on Jamaica’s crime monster looks…
Kate Chappell on Arguments for a cut in GCT: Dr…
petchary on A hard road to travel: curbing…

Archives

  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Damien King

ShaneKells

American International School of Kingston - Head of School

DHG CONSULTS

Cultural Economy and the Global South

nadzspeaks

Mindspace, unleashing a few truths, but mostly concerned with life and the way I see it.

jamaicachange

Dr CJPJ

Caribbean Woman, Paediatric Surgeon, Lover of Life

Albert Darnell Anderson

Just read, it'll inspire you!

Ramona Crisstea

"write pon di riddim"

multimodal site born to a decolonial feminist / cultural analyst/ and bad gyal Ph.D.

The Terrible Tout's Weblog

Just another WordPress.com weblog

CCRP Jamaica

Life to the Fullest!

Zaheer's "Facts, Lies & Statistics"

A collection of literary narratives, opinionated articles, and statistical analyses on the world of sports and more.

Notes for a New Day

Observing the Intersection of Life and the Arts

Help Mi Consulting

Extending the frontiers of support services across industries.

thecrooksofthematter

No-spin commentary

Jamaica: Political Economy

Views on what's happening in and around the Yard

Meanwhile...back up North

Back to the cold... hoping to continue exploring

Right Steps & Poui Trees

Active Voice

sharp, pointed, often witty commentary on current events in Jamaica, the Caribbean, India and the world

rodneysocampbell

This WordPress.com site is the bee's knees

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
%d bloggers like this: