Fighting injustice in Jamaica

[Peasie]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Op-ed in Caribbean Journal 11 April 2012 </div><div class="ubbcode-body">
In recent weeks, many Jamaicans enlisted in the viral Kony 2012 campaign to promote justice for children and their families in Uganda. Weeks later, the murder of an African-American teenager, Trayvon Martin, and the outrage it sparked in America were the subject of many heated discussions by Jamaicans about racism. These two events reminded us that we care deeply about correcting injustice. Jamaicans are plugged into global news networks and we are identifying with the struggles of vulnerable people in foreign communities. <span style="font-weight: bold">It is heartening that many of us feel a sense of responsibility to speak out against injustices abroad. <span style="font-size: 14pt">The dilemma is that too many of us [Jamaicans] are blind to and silent about the injustices in our midst</span>.</span> </div></div>

<span style="font-size: 8pt">*if this has been posted and discussed before, please delete</span>

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Fighting injustice in Jamaica

There is a story on the Gleaner Website about JFJ strapped for cash......Needless to say 99% of the respondents are not sympathetic and even are happy that they will have to go out of business.

Then there is the Green Bay story which has again come up in the news. Reading the conclusion today in the Jamaica Observer....one commentator who commented multiple times blamed the victims(s).

An of course the Flag issue many Jamaicans see it just as a PNP vs JLP issue and and not as a possible violations of the Rights of Jamaican Citizens.

So yes most of us are blind to injustice within our midst and it may take another 74 dead, another 5 at Green Bay, another 171 at Eventide or another 7 at Armadale....or even if these things happen it may not move us any more.

[Peasie]

Re: Fighting injustice in Jamaica

Or could it be that we feel so helpless and hopeless in our attempts to fight injustice in Jamaica?

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Fighting injustice in Jamaica

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or could it be that we feel so helpless and hopeless in our attempts to fight injustice in Jamaica? </div></div>

I have not seen any mass attempts at fighting injustice.
No Trevon Martin March, No Arab Spring awakening, even though we have had many opportunities to protest.
The last real protests were the Gas Riots and for obvious reasons many will never set foot in that direction again.
The few folks that attempt to speak for all, are quickly shouted down by the very masses they are fighting for.

Any situation can easily be neutralized by reminding folks of the political divisions and/or the specter of crime.
Crime has become a self-serving tool. The rich and well to do is easily reminded that the only tool to guarantee the ability to retain the keys to their BMW X6 Lifestyle, is the very corrupt Security forces.

The poor and the unwashed are easily setup against each other by reminding them that choice of whether they breath a little longer, comes down to the One Order, The Clansman or the JCF.

so even the most bleeding of bleeding hearts have to chose carefully in what cause they support. It is easier support a full investigation of Keith Clarke's killing than to press the Security Forces on why they killed over 70 folks in Tivoli and only found four guns, behind the barricade.