“The dinner of understanding”

Once there was a party which lost 4 straight general elections and was out of power for 18 years. A new leader had to be chosen and the two front runners were A and B. The government was disliked and if the party chose the more popular A it would likely win the next election, though it might also win under B. But voters would see an open fight between A and B as a sign of continuing disunity and might then re-elect the government. So A and B had a dinner meeting. A said that if B stepped aside and the party won he would put B in charge of the economy and then retire after a certain period so that B could get his chance to be leader. B agreed – half a loaf and a promise of a full one later was better than all of nothing. So A became leader and in the next election the party won a massive victory.

THE SUNNY Jamaican countryside dispels thoughts of crime and debt. In such bright moods I accept that our official figures cannot reflect reality and that this country is an exception to all rules. In most places economic stagnation and rising violence breed unrest. But over 10 years of negligible GDP growth, a decimated dollar and a soaring murder rate have been accompanied here not by angry mass protests but a car, cellular and building boom. Nor does this, in theory, broke and crime-ridden country seem to lack for nightlife, with partygoers ramming Negril and Ocho Rios every long weekend.

“Jamaica in Crisis” read a conference banner in Mandeville last month. “A Sick Democracy” was one pundit’s verdict on the local government elections. And “A ruined country” is the constant theme of some radio talk shows.

Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett is undisputedly the most universally loved personality this nation has ever produced. For over 50 years as poet, broadcaster, actress, television personality and stage performer she tirelessly championed Jamaican folk customs. Yet Miss Lou was more than a brilliant entertainer, she is in all likelihood the greatest poet this country has produced. Certainly she is the only Jamaican poet whose works are continuously in print and she still outsells all the others put together.

“Does life get any better than this?” Australian fan at Queen’s Park Oval 2003.

“The fans love West Indies cricket. They love the West Indies way of life. They see on television how West Indians enjoy themselves and they will be coming to be part of it.” Chris Dehring, CEO Cricket World Cup 2007

"Jamaicans are so ignorant and uneducated they will vote for anyone who gives them a handout. So our leaders and the entire political system are completely corrupt. Democracy can never work in a country like this."

Since December the Jamaican dollar has slid from about 48 to over 60 to one against its US counterpart. Where it will settle is anyone’s guess, but perhaps the past can give some guide as to what is to come.

When Richard ‘Shrimpy’ Clarke fought for the World Flyweight Boxing title in 1990 you could almost feel the nationalistic fervour in the jampacked National Arena. “Lick ‘im down Shrimpy!” the ecstatic crowd screamed deliriously as he skillfully outboxed champion Sot Chitalada for the first 8 rounds - “He’s giving him a boxing lesson!” a man behind me kept shouting. Alas a jolting uppercut knocked out Shrimpy in the 11th round. “Him teach him too good!” a wag commented wryly as we filed out in gloomy disappointment.

I like to think I’m getting more tolerant as the years go by and more wiling to see the other person’s point of view. But the older I get the less I can stand the company of those who ignorantly insist on classifying people according to how much melainin they have in their epidermis and who see the world in terms of superior “us” and inferior “them”.