Youth civic engagement urged as Jamaica faces accountability tests in parliament

Welcome Jamaica. Welcome back to Unfiltered. I am Peter Gay Ferguson. Did you miss us? Okay, so today I want to reason a little bit as Jamaicans, especially with my fellow youth, because elections have consequences and participation matters. We're living in unprecedented times in Jamaica. What we choose to do and what we choose not to do has consequences for the quality of life we experience in this country. And yes, I understand the frustration. I understand the disappointment. I understand why so many Jamaicans feel disconnected from politics. Every election cycle we hear promises. Every budget debate we hear promises. Every major issue, promises. And after a while, people get tired. But here's the thing Jamaica, apathy has consequences too. When good people withdraw from the process, somebody else makes a decision for them. When citizens stop paying attention, leaders stop feeling pressure. When people decide that politics doesn't matter, politics still matters to them because the decisions made in parliament affect every aspect of their lives. The roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, the health care system we depend on, housing, crime, taxes, jobs, wages, water, electricity. Every single one of these things is influenced by political decisions. Whether we participate or not, those decisions are still being made. And if we're being honest, a government that is not operating in the best interest of the people will always prefer society that is docile, apathetic, and disinterested. Because citizens who aren't paying attention are easier to ignore. That's why participation matters. In the song Glory, Common reminds us that the biggest weapon is to stay peaceful. He reminds us that no one wins a struggle individually. It takes the wisdom of our elders and our young people's energy. And when I listen to those words, I can't help but think about Jamaica because there was a time when our people understood collective action. Just like when UWI Mona students and lecturers in 1968 protested against the Jamaican government when Walter Rodney was declared persona non grata in Jamaica. Or like when Davian Crawford as Guild President for UWI Mona led a protest in 2004 against unfair policies for students at the campus. Or like Crystal Tomlinson in 2012 who took similar actions on UWI Mona campus. Today, as we observe what is happening on the global stage, young people and university students in particular are holding their leaders to account. We've seen it in protest actions in Bangladesh, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, and Nepal just to name a few. We too in Jamaica have to find back that spirit as young people. No meaningful change that we desire will be handed to us through inaction. There was a time when communities organized just like we did for the 1999 gas riots. There was a time when ordinary Jamaicans understood how to hold leaders to account. Just like we did during the 1938 labor rebellion starting with Frome sugar factory in Westmoreland. That led to the formation of major trade unions such as the National Workers Union and Bustamante Industrial Trade Union. And even importantly, full adult suffrage which gave every person the right to vote in 1944 regardless of your gender, color, or class. There was a time when people understood that democracy is not something you participate in once every five years and then disappear. Democracy requires constant engagement. Somewhere along the way, many of us forgot that. Today, we spend more time arguing with each other and cursing the state of the country than demanding better from those elected to serve us. We spend more time defending politicians than defending principles, and we have become so accustomed to disappointment that sometimes we confuse cynicism with wisdom. But, being cynical doesn't change anything. Being angry doesn't change anything. Complaining alone doesn't change anything. What changes things is organized, informed, and sustained participation. So, Jamaica, we have to do a little more than just feel mad about what's happening around us. We need to start asking a different question. How do we mobilize ourselves? How do we organize ourselves? How do we build movements that go beyond party colors, beyond social class, beyond religion, and beyond the divisions that are constantly used to separate us. Because injustice doesn't become wrong only when it affects us personally. We shouldn't have to wait until a policy hurts our family, our community, or our pocket before we decide it deserves our attention. A wrong is a wrong, and if we want a better Jamaica, we must be willing to speak up for each other even when the issue isn't directly affecting us. That means paying attention to what is happening in Parliament so that our government doesn't feel comfortable having a member or minister who's been charged for illicit enrichment gaslight the nation into thinking that, "Oh, it is because he's from humble beginnings and beat the odds to becoming a very wealthy politician why he's being targeted by the Integrity Commission." When the facts showed that he cannot legitimately explain his wealth or that he's misleading the institution about his lawful earnings. That means understanding the laws that are being debated, just like beach access that the Jabem Group is fighting for across Jamaica, so that Jamaicans can have free access to our beaches and that they are not sold off to investors or those connected to power. That means asking questions and demanding transparency, so that the government doesn't feed us varying versions of stories about the Tishan agreement with the United States government to have the parties come to Jamaica and we cannot get any reasonable explanation as to why Jamaica is being forced to accept these individuals that the US is rejecting and have no idea as to their background or how they will be treated once they're on Jamaican soil. And then this just becomes another 9-day wonder. That means expecting accountability and most importantly, that means remembering that elected officials work for the people, not the other way around. So, whether you're young or old, whether you're rich or poor, whether you're orange, green or somewhere in between, remember this. Democracy works best when citizens show up, not just on election day, but every day. Because elections have consequences, participation matters and the Jamaica we get tomorrow depends on what we're willing to do today. I want to leave you with this quote. The power of the people is greater than the people in power. My name is Petagaye Fairclough, and this has been Unfiltered. Until next time, take care of yourselves.