The recent upsurge in violence within the Mountain View area reveals, once again, the indelible nexus between politics and violence and the pervasiveness of political tribalism. With the general election soon approaching, it is anyone's guess how politicians, from either political party, will utilise the scores of armed, unemployed youth to secure victory at the polls.
It is unfortunate that in the two and a half decades since the 1980 election, no fundamental changes have been made to our political system to rupture the connection between politics and violence. Although there have been scores of commissions, peace initiatives, and amendments to the Political Code of Conduct, these efforts have all been ineffective in preventing political actors from co-opting criminals to victimise communities and secure votes.
Even more disheartening is the general acceptance of political garrisons as a permanent feature of our democratic system. This 'democracy à la garrison' has been wholeheartedly endorsed from the top echelons of the PNP and the JLP. Both Portia Simpson Miller and Bruce Golding represent the most veritable garrison constituencies in the country. Clearly, these two are leading by example and only time will tell how either of them will address this glaring inconsistency.
It is undeniable that the problem of political violence continues to obviate Jamaica's social and economic development and menace its democratic institutions; but it will never be solved unless garrisons are destroyed and our politically tribalistic culture is eliminated. It is therefore imperative for Jamaicans, from all walks of life, to voice their disgust with political violence and publicly denounce those political actors who have been involved. Also, social scientists, civic groups, politicians, and community leaders have to combine their efforts to develop strategies to 'de-garrisonise' certain constituencies and to foster democracy along with social and economic development.
However, the most meaningful change will come when each Jamaican re-examines the root of his or her political affiliation and replaces die-hard political allegiance with informed rational considerations of what that party has done in the past and what the party is capable of doing in the future.
I am, etc.,
NICHOLAS KERR
nnkerr@gmail.com
Brooklyn, NY
Via Go-Jamaica