The beginning of Kingston's decline

**britisha** · 05-01-2009, 10:19 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

Dr. Dudd, I tend to agree with Barosa abut the American influence on violence, not because of the movies as much as what they copy after they travel to Nutty land..

Barosa, I remember those threads when we longed for the good old days with Ackeegirl {RIP};... and I even bragged about how peaceful Kingston used to be...but looking back, I do remember the bakkle flinging and the <span style="text-decoration: line-through">rachitt</span> knife fights (rachitts came later) that made the newspapers as news...but truly...those pale in comparison to what is going on now.

..and then, the author was before my time still.

**barosa** · 05-02-2009, 01:56 AM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

You are missing a very important point in your posting here
. The point tgat electriucity in teh rural areas plays. In the old days people was nooy going to kingston because they believe it was better. They were going because because it WAS beter. The rural areas were treated like aforest reserve. With the basic minimums that the people could aget along with available.
refridgerators wee fueled by kerosese. Lamps were kerosene. [censored] phalt on only the main aterial roads..Life was stark, but for the few that could afford to have a electrical generator.
And not even one capable of supplying all their energy needs.

<span style="font-style: italic">Missing an important point when it came to electricity? No Doc!... I remembered when kerosene lamps were the main source of light throughout Jamaica. Even in some parts of Kingston, the lamp was neccessary because not every nook and cranny had electricity and besides, they came in handy during the war years when they were frequent blackouts... <span style="font-weight: bold">Lack of electrification in the rural areas had nothing to do with them being treated like they were on some reserves, it was the way things were and Jamaica was not unique in having much of the country without power at the time.</span> The people were poor, uneducated just like they were in other colonies without electricity... They knew not what a fridge or "modern appliances" were in those times. For the most part, the people worked on the land and there were no GUNS and VIOLENCE or "Movies to educate them on what to do" if there needs were not met. It was a diferent time and expectations were different. You sounded as though you expected "instant electification" throughout Jamaica when electricity finaly came to Jamaica... Naturally they had to start in Kingston, the capital and eventually worked their way into the rural areas. Today Jamaica is pretty close to 100% serviced by electricity...</span> If electricity had anything to do with our youths chances to succeed, the odds were pretty good long before 1960...

An barosa it was nit the gun movie that caused the incre4ase ibcrime. We watch a lot of chinese sworf fight movies,and even with the abundance of mafhettes, they did not influenc e those who can't get the gun to have machette fothts. People's behavior don't just change becaus ethey watch things. It changes when they are frustrated with the hardships of life. The reason why the rates of violence is si high is because the young people do not have any other means of expressing their mental and physical abillities . They are just like people anywher else in theworld. even those who don't see the western movies does similar violent behavior. Not because a behavior happens that is similar to something in the movies, does not mean it was influenced by movies.It is the lamans logic,but it is not real science.

<span style="font-style: italic">Doc, when I look around our hemisphere, I see that Jamaica now stands out as the "murder capital" of the Caribbean. It took them over 40 years to attained this standing and <span style="font-weight: bold">it wasn't just because of the "hardships of life" that caused our youths to be frustrated, they turned to crime and violence because they think it was "cool".</span> Many innocent and defenceless caught in their way had no chance as they saw dealing in narcotics as more lucrative than going to school and eventually working in regular jobs. Becomming self-made entrepreneurs were never an option. <span style="font-weight: bold">Their parents and grandparents before them didn't think like that when they were experiencing "their hardships of life" so where did that came from?</span> The US influence is so strong throughout the region with much that is "good" and so much that is "bad" that it requires guidance of the highest order to keep young impressionable minds from going down the wrong path. Mix the crime in with the "Political Connections" and we get the Garrisons: Kgn and Jamaica didn't have a chance... Some were lured to America, but what did they do? they they organized a gang "the Jamaican Passe"...</span>
________________________________

Boy! Aren't we living in interesting times?

**bee_bop** · 05-02-2009, 11:48 AM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<span style="color: #000099"><span style="font-weight: bold">Wasn't it the town of Black River that had the first street lights in this hemisphere, back when Jamaica was still a dependency of Britain ??? Secondly, there are a lot of countries in this hemisphere where rural electrification is still a hope, and a luxury. I think Jamaica has gone far ahead of other countries in the region, except the countries considered to be part of the 'realm' of the Commonwealth of Nations (aka the former British Commonwealth), and excluding North America.

I remember the days when Wild West movies were popular, although I was very, very young at the time, my mother would take me to romantic westerns which I could see no sense in. Then there were the '<span style="font-style: italic">kickers</span>', preceeded by Bruce Lee movies, and supported by the song, 'Everyone was Kung Fu fighting...', at which point I got in on the craze, and tried my hand at a little Karate myself.

I also remember when the turmoil caused by the gun reached its peak, and nightly gunshots could be heard from Wareika Hills, with frequent demonstrations. This was around the time that garrison communities were really heating up, and one being seen wearing <span style="color: #006600">green</span>, or <span style="color: #993300">orange</span>, clothing was not a very healthy choice in colours.

Mainly, I remember friends I knew boasting that they were born in <span style="font-style: italic">Kinkytown</span>, as if it were a different country, other than Jamaica. I was made to think that my so-called humble country origins were inferior, even though I never felt that way. Growing-up in the environs of a major hotel, and being in a general tourism Parish where American dollars were common-place, with the much sought after American apple being widely available, may have contributed to this sense of relative well-being.</span></span>

**barosa** · 05-02-2009, 12:53 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barosa, I remember those threads when we longed for the good old days with Ackeegirl {RIP};... and I even bragged about how peaceful Kingston used to be...but looking back, I do remember the bakkle flinging and the rachitt knife fights (rachitts came later) that made the newspapers as news...but truly...those pale in comparison to what is going on now.

..and then, the author was before my time still.</div></div>
Yes Britisha, I remembered those threads and those days with Ackeegirl(RIP); She is still being missed... If you were within 10 to 15 years younger than the author, you would appreciate his views more fully as I can. ~ As they say, "time marches on" and "nothing stays the same forever" These two phrases can readily be applied to the affairs of men and of nations, but did Jamaica needed to change that drastcally for the worst in such a relatively short period of time? I think not. ~ It's a shame that it's only the folks who are mainly seniors who can tell "Jamaicans of today" what Jamaica was really like in the "Glory Days" preceeding "Independence"...

Like other nations, poor little Jamaica has experienced what "time" has done to her and must be "weeping" only that we are not aware of it. It's obvious that you knew of a time that Kingston was a far cry from what she is today. ~ I was before "your time" so it stand to reason that "my time" was more peaceful than yours and "our parent's time" more peaceful and tranquil than ours. Those of us who witnessed the "changes" as they were effected, can't help the jarring and traumatic effect they had on us... By using the same yardstick, those who came along during and after the turbulent 60's, the last 40/45years may seem to be the "greatest of times" to them, depending on their concept of it. I still say that our politics was a contributing factor... Walk good!
__________________________

Is not where you are from that matters, it's where you are going.

**Dr.Dudd** · 05-02-2009, 01:35 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

barosA, YOU KNOW SOMETHING, i HAVE NEVER MET ONE PERSO WHO STATED "THEY TURN TO CRIME BECAUSE THEY THINKIT WAS COOL, OR THE YOUTH ARE KILLING,TOGET RESPECT" tHAT HAVE EVER INTERVIEWED ANY OF THES CRIMINALS AND CONFORMED THIS. I HAVE done many interviews with quite a few gun men,and it is one thing that is ever repeated by every single one.
It is that if they could live peacefully and prosperously without using the gun, they would do it in a heart beat.

They also every one of them did not want their sons to follow in their foot steps.

One more thing, ther are many who have become wealthy businessmen today, that does not use the gun.
Neither did they ever thought it was cool to be shooting at other people.
These are only ideas that are promoted by people who are not intrested in correctong the cause of the problem.
They want the world to believe that thes people are some sort of different species.
Crime in places like Belfast, Poland and many of the former eastern block areas, are as high as in kingston. it is only not used because they are in favour of deve;opingg those areas, due to race.
While Jamaica will obnly be developed when blacks are returned to the subservient position they had.
It was peaceful when blacks wer only allowed to work as street sweepers, maids,and factory hands.
Untill the economic that controlls trade is made more equitable, Blacks are allowed equal opportunity to achieve in every facet of the economy Jamaica,or black expectation is made to be lowered to the point where they revert to become satisfied with the repression,the crime will never improve.

**bee_bop** · 05-02-2009, 10:55 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<span style="color: #000066">Human society evolves, from blacks being absolutely in slavery, to now where service is expected of some of us.</span>

<span style="color: #000066"><span style="font-weight: bold">There was a time when Europeans looked down on their own as lowly slaves, such as:

1. The revolt of Spartacus, who when defeated by the scornful Romans, had their crucified corpses line one of the streets leading into the city of Rome.

2. Then there were the so-called Barbarians who massed at the borders of the Eastern Roman Empire, trying their best to get in, by: converting to Christianity; serving in the then Roman army; generally conforming; only to end up destroying the very society they sought to join, when it ultimately betrayed, and rejected them.

3. The Irish were treated worse than slaves, in their journey to this new hemisphere, since they had no monetary value to the ship-owners who transported them. It is also said that the British allowed for the Irish potatoe famine, to starve the Irish, since the Irish could not enter professions, or own land.</span>

While some would have us believe that there is no hope, the dynamics of society suggests otherwise, as history would reveal. One day the requirement of service from some, or all, blacks may not be an expected fact.</span>

**britisha** · 05-03-2009, 07:32 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barosa</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barosa, I remember those threads when we longed for the good old days with Ackeegirl {RIP};... and I even bragged about how peaceful Kingston used to be...but looking back, I do remember the bakkle flinging and the rachitt knife fights (rachitts came later) that made the newspapers as news...but truly...those pale in comparison to what is going on now.

..and then, the author was before my time still.</div></div>
Yes Britisha, I remembered those threads and those days with Ackeegirl(RIP); She is still being missed... If you were within 10 to 15 years younger than the author, you would appreciate his views more fully as I can. ~ As they say, "time marches on" and "nothing stays the same forever" These two phrases can readily be applied to the affairs of men and of nations, but did Jamaica needed to change that drastcally for the worst in such a relatively short period of time? I think not. ~ It's a shame that it's only the folks who are mainly seniors who can tell "Jamaicans of today" what Jamaica was really like in the "Glory Days" preceding "Independence"...

Like other nations, poor little Jamaica has experienced what "time" has done to her and must be "weeping" only that we are not aware of it. It's obvious that you knew of a time that Kingston was a far cry from what she is today. ~ I was before "your time" so it stand to reason that "my time" was more peaceful than yours and "our parent's time" more peaceful and tranquil than ours. Those of us who witnessed the "changes" as they were effected, can't help the jarring and traumatic effect they had on us... By using the same yardstick, those who came along during and after the turbulent 60's, the last 40/45years may seem to be the "greatest of times" to them, depending on their concept of it. I still say that our politics was a contributing factor... Walk good!
__________________________

Is not where you are from that matters, it's where you are going.
</div></div>

Ahh Barosa, I hear you...but you know something? There's more to it than meets the eye IMO.

I have been reading a book for the longest while...bout 5 or 6 books I started and have no time to finish...this book is about life in early England, and when I read of some of what used to go on in England when it was a young nation, reminds me of life in Jamaica NOW...I am not saying that Jamaica as a young nation should go through "growing pains" of what we are witnessing, the period in which we live help to dictate what goes on in the society...meaning the extra-cultural influences etc...again I do not like to make references to other nations, but if we consider the US of A, it had a tumultuous early start before it became 'CIVILISED" as well...

..what needs to happen is for us to pool our collective intellect and see how we can help the nation, for sincerely, no one knows all the reasons for our downward demise.

Having said all that, yes Barosa Kingston in earlier times was really really nice...yuh cuddah walk any howah a nite and di ongle ting yuh fraid fah is mawwgah dawg and duppies...leff yuh doors and windows open at nigh fi ketch cool breeze, and not afraid...never had what they called burglar bars...and the list go on and on..

**barosa** · 05-04-2009, 02:07 AM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

Original Posted by britisha, Response in Italic:

I have been reading a book for the longest while...bout 5 or 6 books I started and have no time to finish...this book is about life in early England, and when I read of some of what used to go on in England when it was a young nation, reminds me of life in Jamaica NOW...I am not saying that Jamaica as a young nation should go through "growing pains" of what we are witnessing, the period in which we live help to dictate what goes on in the society...meaning the extra-cultural influences etc...again I do not like to make references to other nations, but if we consider the US of A, it had a tumultuous early start before it became 'CIVILISED" as well...

<span style="font-style: italic">Britisha, you could not have picked a nation more fitting as England (the British Isles) to underscore your point. I always wondered why they fought so many civil wars. The "wars of the Roses" came to my mind, so I googled to get some measure of its duration. It was sporadic at times but lasted about 30 years. Your hint at "growing pains" is plausable as they were a young nation but you have to remember, series of wars ongoing throughout several hundred years. When we think of those periods which were way before the industrial revolution, it cast a different light on how things were. Is it any wonder that the Industrial Revolution began in England? We had all the trappings of a CIVILISATION handed to us, all we had to do was to use it and modify it where neccessary...</span>
---------------------------------

what needs to happen is for us to pool our collective intellect and see how we can help the nation, for sincerely, no one knows all the reasons for our downward demise.

<span style="font-style: italic">That is always a good thought. ~ I have heard of many who have attempted but disillusionment became a factor, it's a constant companion. ~ I would venture to say, many went and have been back. They tried to pool efforts in local enterprises only to be robbed, and besides there are safety concerns. Ever heard of "PROTECTION" money...</span>
--------------------------------

Having said all that, yes Barosa Kingston in earlier times was really really nice...yuh cuddah walk any howah a nite and di ongle ting yuh fraid fah is mawwgah dawg and duppies...leff yuh doors and windows open at nigh fi ketch cool breeze, and not afraid...never had what they called burglar bars...and the list go on and on..

<span style="font-style: italic">You are so right! we didn't know how good we had it then. I could walk from Franklin Town to Cross Roads!, Coronation Market to Greenwich Farm or Campbell town through Allman through Race Course to Jones Town and other areas any "howas" a day, night or early morning without fear! Is only Duppy mi did fraid of 'a nite time'... This could not be attempted today in any so-called better areas of Uptown...

What we now have in Jamaica is a "Lawless Society" out of control. Yes, we are a young nation with the benefits of education, trade, commerce and a justice system developed by the British that used to work. [i]We even had a Railway, symbol of the Industrial Revolution[/b] but because of incompetence by Govt it was closed! many jobs just vanished. We got too GREEDY for our own good, we were over-unionized, our politicians over promised and under- delivered, the social order was disrupted and everyone A-YAAD yearned to live like the Americans they see in the movies. The youths of the poor gave up on schools, learning of skills and trades. They look to the "Dons" for their "role models" ; Cho! we seem to be flogging a dead horse.</span>
___________________________________

It's not where you're from that matters, it's where you are going.

**jah_yout** · 05-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

jamaica's deficit right now is in leadership...

people are but sheep- the leaders set the tone; and the tone they set over the last 30-odd years is that mudering and maiming, robbing raping & killing your own brothers/sisters/countrymen is ok...
well it is not ok no matter how mad you are that you can't get the latest versace suit or rims on your car;

the soul of jamaica needs cleansing- from within; time for jamaicans to make a solution--no one elese is gonna do it for us;
but they are waiting to take control once we destrot ourselves which we seem very eager to do;

fire!

**britisha** · 05-05-2009, 11:20 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

Barosa, I love your last comment: I'd like to follow up on it little more, later.

**uswe** · 05-06-2009, 02:43 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

Barosa & Britisha, your comments were insightful, balanced and well thought out

**barosa** · 05-07-2009, 01:43 AM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jah_yout</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jamaica's deficit right now is in leadership...

people are but sheep- the leaders set the tone; and the tone they set over the last 30-odd years is that mudering and maiming, robbing raping & killing your own brothers/sisters/countrymen is ok...
well it is not ok no matter how mad you are that you can't get the latest versace suit or rims on your car;

<span style="font-weight: bold">the soul of jamaica needs cleansing- from within; time for jamaicans to make a solution--no one elese is gonna do it for us;
but they are waiting to take control once we destrot ourselves which we seem very eager to do;</span>

fire! </div></div>
jah_yout, Your statement is intriguing, in the sense that you obviously believe that Jamaicans are able and capable to come up with a solution to rectify Jamaica. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"The soul of Jamaica needs cleansing from within"</span></span> conjours up an almost spritual reclamation of JA. from the depths she has to. ~ I would say that most Jamaicans would embrace or agree with your assessment. - You say, <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"no one else is gonna do it for us, </span></span>to which I fully agree. I presumed that when you used those 9 words, you must have known that their brevity would betray the enormity of the task. I say that, because if it was easy, it would have been done already.

The Important thing for Jamaicans to remember, is that no Victory is won without a battle... If there is a battle to be fought, it does not neccessarily mean that it will be fought with the usual weapons. The trick will be to discover a way, or methods that could be used effectively against the enemies of Jamaica. We have heard that "where there is a will, there is a way". I will leave you to dream or contemplate on the possibilities...
___________________________

It's not where you're from that matters, it's where you are heading.

**jah_yout** · 05-07-2009, 11:52 AM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barosa</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jah_yout</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jamaica's deficit right now is in leadership...

people are but sheep- the leaders set the tone; and the tone they set over the last 30-odd years is that mudering and maiming, robbing raping & killing your own brothers/sisters/countrymen is ok...
well it is not ok no matter how mad you are that you can't get the latest versace suit or rims on your car;

<span style="font-weight: bold">the soul of jamaica needs cleansing- from within; time for jamaicans to make a solution--no one elese is gonna do it for us;
but they are waiting to take control once we destrot ourselves which we seem very eager to do;</span>

fire! </div></div>
jah_yout, Your statement is intriguing, in the sense that you obviously believe that Jamaicans are able and capable to come up with a solution to rectify Jamaica. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"The soul of Jamaica needs cleansing from within"</span></span> conjours up an almost spritual reclamation of JA. from the depths she has to. ~ I would say that most Jamaicans would embrace or agree with your assessment. - You say, <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"no one else is gonna do it for us, </span></span>to which I fully agree. I presumed that when you used those 9 words, you must have known that their brevity would betray the enormity of the task. I say that, because if it was easy, it would have been done already.

The Important thing for Jamaicans to remember, is that no Victory is won without a battle... If there is a battle to be fought, it does not neccessarily mean that it will be fought with the usual weapons. The trick will be to discover a way, or methods that could be used effectively against the enemies of Jamaica. We have heard that "where there is a will, there is a way". I will leave you to dream or contemplate on the possibilities...
___________________________

It's not where you're from that matters, it's where you are heading. </div></div>

yes
battles to be fought...certainly spiritually, possibly physically as well; our brave ancestors once fought so that we may now destroy our own selves..they are turning in their graves and very angry with us;
the moment of truth is coming...the battle for jamaica...
who's ready?!
all we got is us

<span style="font-style: italic">puts on dennis brown 'revolution'</span>

**britisha** · 05-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: barosa</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

<span style="font-style: italic">Britisha, you could not have picked a nation more fitting as England (the British Isles) to underscore your point. I always wondered why they fought so many civil wars. The "wars of the Roses" came to my mind, so I googled to get some measure of its duration. It was sporadic at times but lasted about 30 years. Your hint at "growing pains" is plausable as they were a young nation but you have to remember, series of wars ongoing throughout several hundred years. When we think of those periods which were way before the industrial revolution, it cast a different light on how things were. Is it any wonder that the Industrial Revolution began in England? We had all the<span style="font-weight: bold"> trappings of a CIVILISATION</span> handed to us, all we had to do was to use it and modify it where neccessary...</span></div></div>

...and many would disagree with you Barosa re the part in bold...many would say that we were left with nothing...so to speak...old wooden structures called schools...run down tenements to house the masses in the city especially, one wooden structure called a hospital to service the needs of thousands in the capital, with an ER where the average wait was 3 days..police stations and high step courthouses with inadequate facilities..God bless the post offices..They had no plan for the future when these structures would eventually disintegrate and crumble as we are witnessing now..

Yes, we had bauxite and a sugar industry, a significant proportion of the polulation could read, but other than that...I wouldn't call it trappings of a civilization...there are still British laws on the books that are causing much confusion and even pitting segments of the society against each other.
---------------------------------

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

<span style="font-style: italic">That is always a good thought. ~ I have heard of many who have attempted but disillusionment became a factor, it's a constant companion. ~ I would venture to say, many went and have been back. They tried to pool efforts in local enterprises only to be robbed, and besides there are safety concerns. Ever heard of "PROTECTION" money...</span>
--------------------------------

.

<span style="font-style: italic">You are so right! we didn't know how good we had it then. I could walk from Franklin Town to Cross Roads!, Coronation Market to Greenwich Farm or Campbell town through Allman through Race Course to Jones Town and other areas any "howas" a day, night or early morning without fear! Is only Duppy mi did fraid of 'a nite time'... This could not be attempted today in any so-called better areas of Uptown...

What we now have in Jamaica is a "Lawless Society" out of control. Yes, we are a young nation with the benefits of education, trade, commerce and a justice system developed by the British that used to work. [i]We even had a Railway, symbol of the Industrial Revolution[/b] but because of incompetence by Govt it was closed! many jobs just vanished. We got too GREEDY for our own good, we were over-unionized, our politicians over promised and under- delivered, the social order was disrupted and everyone A-YAAD yearned to live like the Americans they see in the movies. The youths of the poor gave up on schools, learning of skills and trades. They look to the "Dons" for their "role models" ; Cho! we seem to be flogging a dead horse.</span>
___________________________________

It's not where you're from that matters, it's where you are going.
</div></div>

This is why I said some of the real reasons we will never know, and in essence we brought some of this on ourselves and not so much the extra-cultural influences that the original author was hinting at; other than what some of us go abroad and emulate...and what is now coming into the country in the form of go-go tourists and<span style="font-weight: bold"> samfie </span>businiss men/women who won't leave.

**barosa** · 05-08-2009, 07:50 PM

Re: The beginning of Kingston's decline

<span style="font-weight: bold">Original Posted by britisha, Response in Italics:</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">We had all the trappings of a CIVILISATION handed to us, all we had to do was to use it and modify it where neccessary...</span></span>

...and many would disagree with you Barosa re the part in bold...many would say that we were left with nothing...so to speak...old wooden structures called schools...run down tenements to house the masses in the city especially, one wooden structure called a hospital to service the needs of thousands in the capital, with an ER where the average wait was 3 days..police stations and high step courthouses with inadequate facilities..God bless the post offices..They had no plan for the future when these structures would eventually disintegrate and crumble as we are witnessing now..

<span style="font-style: italic">Britisha, thank God he supplied us with the ability to smile, for it was with a "smile" that I read the above. I realized that there was nothing to refute... I was so glad I didn't say <span style="font-weight: bold">"We had a civilisation handed to us on a platter" as some would have said.</span> When I used the word "trappings" it meant just that: a shell, an ornamental housing...</span>

Yes, we had bauxite and a sugar industry, a significant proportion of the polulation could read, but other than that...I wouldn't call it trappings of a civilization...there are still British laws on the books that are causing much confusion and even pitting segments of the society against
each other.

<span style="font-style: italic">Nothing much to refute here as well. At least, you have acknowledged that we derived some benefits under British rule, not least among them, was the fact that a significant proportion of our population could read by the time they left. I would say, that was a big part of what I meant by the "trappings" of civilisation. As for old buidings such as schools, hospitals and court houses, many reflect the era in which they were built and with time they got old. Some have been replaced but we still have a far way to go...

Jamaica has moved along in many areas since Independence. There are more cars on the roads, many modern Edifices such as Govt and adminisrative offices, more Private and Commercial Enterprises, more Luxury Hotels and more private Mansions built. <span style="font-weight: bold">The troubling thing about Jamaica, is that we have developed an "Us and Them" society which is not good.</span> If we are unable to control and help the "underclass" where most of the criminals are recruited from, Jamaica's future will be affected negatively. JAMAICA has a JOB to do, Delay is DANGER and the sooner we realised it, the better...</span>
___________________________

It's not where you're from that matters, it's where you are heading.

The beginning of Kingston's decline

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