Towards The New Dawn in Jamaica

Leahcim Semaj, Ph.D. - Change Agent

I share the vision of the New Dawn Citizen’s Initiative. I had a session with some wonderful people at Air Jamaica up until about 11:30 a.m. on July 31. Midday caught me on the Palisados road near the Gun Boat Beach. I had been driving with my headlights on since leaving home in the morning. I pulled over to the side of the road, turned on my hazard lights and searched for a radio station that was observing the vibe. No other vehicle in the vicinity stopped during this time, but I did not feel any way. I felt a part of a rising National Consciousness that is now saying “enough is enough”. Our ancestors did tell us “when the people lead, the leaders must follow”.

None-of-The-Above
For decades the signs have been growing. With each successive election the winner continues to be “none-of-the-above”, but the politicians have been refusing to listen. The media has not helped. The latest poll tells us that the JLP has 28% and the PNP 20%. Once again the media has devoted hours of airtime ruminating over Seaga’s lead. What lead? 50% still say “none-of-the-above”. I believe that the NDM had based their hopes on being able to harness the support of “none-of-the-above”. This was not, and is not to be because we have come to experience the political process as the weakest link in the cultural fabric of Jamaica. This is the element of this society that embarrasses me the most. I will not deny that some good has been done, but the over-riding experience has been negative. I cannot in good faith address any member of the Government as “The Honourable”, some by virtue of sins of commission, others by sins of omission.

How to Make Change Work
What we know definitively about the change process is that you cannot manage it. Change must be led. Some people must take the risk and go in front and play this role. We are on a journey. We are the descendants of those who survived the Middle Passage, slavery and colonization. The majority of our people have successfully divorced themselves from the dying political order. They may not yet be ready to take on the responsibility of building the new order. Remember, the future is always created; those who do not accept the responsibility will default to others or to circumstances. The following are some tips for those who will accept the responsibility on how to make change work:

1. Specify the nature of the change. Do not allow the process to be sidetracked into a new set of partisan interests. Always remember, Jamaica first.
   
2. Explain why.
   
3. Let the people know the full scope of the change even if it has some components with which some will be uncomfortable because of their vested interest in the Old Order.
   
4. Repeat, repeat, and repeat again the purpose of the change and actions planned. Be willing to dream and venture outside the box. We have proven to be more that capable many times and in many arenas.
   
5. Use graphics and charts wherever possible for more effective communication. Seeing in believing.
   
6. Make sure communication is two-way.
   
7. Target reference group leaders at all levels of the society.
   
8. Support change with new learning. Some communities will take longer to leave the political plantation. Be patient with them. Anyone can learn almost anything if you break it into small enough units.
   
9. Point to real progress as you go along. Find small sparks indicative of the New Order in your communities and work places and fan them into flames.
   
10. Don’t limit communications just to meetings, press releases and talk shows. Use every opportunity to talk about the New Jamaica that we are praying and working for.
    
11. Institutionalize information flow about the change by documenting the process as it evolves. Yes, change is a process, not an event. This revolution does not have to be televised because we now have the Internet. We can use the power of the Web to link the imagination, intellect and creativity of the global Jamaican community against our political dinosaurs. When Star Wars meets Jurassic Park I place my money on Star Wars.
    
12. Model the changes yourself. Remember the admonition to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify the Father”. Marley did remind us that the fight is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high and low places. Prepare yourself, spiritually, mentally and physically for the long haul. This is not a sprint. It is more than a marathon. If the New Dawn Movement is successful Jamaica will be changed for the better, thus benefiting us all.

The Way Forward
What lesson has the two major political parties taught the nation over the last 39 years? Poll after poll demonstrates that many of us have evolved past the options being offered by the present political culture. I believe that both major political parties have disqualified themselves from the moral leadership of this country. The PNP, by their lack of creative problem solving strategies to deal with crime and violence and the lack of prosperity; The JLP, by their outdated and often destructive responses. One option to consider is to ban all members of the present government and opposition from future political office. The other option is to force them to form a coalition government to put Jamaica First for the rest of this political term. We could then use this breathing space to redesign our political system. Some of the issues that need to be agreed to are as follows; the dismantling of Garrisons, accountability to those who elected you, proportional representation, set term limits, set dates for election. When we arrive at a genuine majority view we could give the present politicians the opportunity to reapply for the privilege of leading this country, if they are ready to put Jamaica first, not political parties, not Garrisons.