I guess I’m prone to pessimism, so I always ask those that show so much vigor and patience with the challenges we face in Jamaica. What encourages you? Are there any examples of sustainable development over the years in Jamaica? Where do I find the best example of Jamaica changing course and investing in the future? From my point of view, all I see are the best and brightest leaving, irrational urban development, a further divide between the classes, zero accountability with regard to public disasters (tavistock for example), and so on.
I really hope there are successful solutions that have been implemented. The only one I can think of is the plastic recycling plant, and the garbage collection nets at the harbour and while that’s indeed encouraging, I hardly see it changing the way people willingly dump in the gullies anyway. If anything, it seems to just encourage that habit.
Hi Travis, I'm not sure I'm 'encouraged' - there's plenty of reason for pessimism. For me, acting including speaking out helps to keep despair at bay. And it's a mistake to think the world doesn't change - it does. Maybe not as fast as we want, or is necessary, but change has been brought about by regular people taking a stand throughout history. That's all I do. I have a voice and I use it. I go to boring meetings. I write. I annoy politicians at cocktail parties - well, not so many of those these days. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Well, from someone who wakes up almost every day on the wrong side of the bed, I do every once in a while see something hopeful. It’s always a pleasant surprise and I try to support it with my actions and annoying voice at the occasional uptown cocktail parties… lol. I’m afraid I might be slowly becoming a nuisance from much of those events though. Maybe we need to have our own shindigs and encourage each other to keep pushing. 😇 merry Christmas when it comes.
I agree with you Travis. I see all the challenges you mention. I know without a shadow of doubt that those of us who know better can and must turn the tide. I get a lot of inspiration from large scale natural spaces such as national parks, and the history they contain. The legacy of Nanny and the Windward Maroons and their success in repelling the British from our shores is what propelled UNESCO to inscribe “World Heritage Site” onto our Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. Are we going to do less for the people coming behind us than they did for us? I don’t mean to sermonize -please forgive me. A drive up the mountains to the park HQ might be just the reset you seek. One Love
OMG!! I’m in heaven and I didn’t have to die! How invigorating it is to see someone so passionate about our country, so aware of the extreme challenges that are hurtling toward us, speak out so compellingly on what we must urgently do. We’ve never met but I feel I have a new sister and a tremendous leader in the fight of our lives. The more of us that speak up and inspire others to do all we can, the greater our chances of survival. Bless you!
Audrey! You should meet! Diana has been fighting for many years...and has always been one of my inspirations! And the thing is, one has to continue to fight. It's impossible to stop...
True in all regards sis. love you!
I guess I’m prone to pessimism, so I always ask those that show so much vigor and patience with the challenges we face in Jamaica. What encourages you? Are there any examples of sustainable development over the years in Jamaica? Where do I find the best example of Jamaica changing course and investing in the future? From my point of view, all I see are the best and brightest leaving, irrational urban development, a further divide between the classes, zero accountability with regard to public disasters (tavistock for example), and so on.
I really hope there are successful solutions that have been implemented. The only one I can think of is the plastic recycling plant, and the garbage collection nets at the harbour and while that’s indeed encouraging, I hardly see it changing the way people willingly dump in the gullies anyway. If anything, it seems to just encourage that habit.
Hi Travis, I'm not sure I'm 'encouraged' - there's plenty of reason for pessimism. For me, acting including speaking out helps to keep despair at bay. And it's a mistake to think the world doesn't change - it does. Maybe not as fast as we want, or is necessary, but change has been brought about by regular people taking a stand throughout history. That's all I do. I have a voice and I use it. I go to boring meetings. I write. I annoy politicians at cocktail parties - well, not so many of those these days. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Well, from someone who wakes up almost every day on the wrong side of the bed, I do every once in a while see something hopeful. It’s always a pleasant surprise and I try to support it with my actions and annoying voice at the occasional uptown cocktail parties… lol. I’m afraid I might be slowly becoming a nuisance from much of those events though. Maybe we need to have our own shindigs and encourage each other to keep pushing. 😇 merry Christmas when it comes.
I agree with you Travis. I see all the challenges you mention. I know without a shadow of doubt that those of us who know better can and must turn the tide. I get a lot of inspiration from large scale natural spaces such as national parks, and the history they contain. The legacy of Nanny and the Windward Maroons and their success in repelling the British from our shores is what propelled UNESCO to inscribe “World Heritage Site” onto our Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. Are we going to do less for the people coming behind us than they did for us? I don’t mean to sermonize -please forgive me. A drive up the mountains to the park HQ might be just the reset you seek. One Love
Thanks. I hike up there anytime I get the chance. It’s my second favorite place in Jamaica… I’m a sucker for Negrils beach.
OMG!! I’m in heaven and I didn’t have to die! How invigorating it is to see someone so passionate about our country, so aware of the extreme challenges that are hurtling toward us, speak out so compellingly on what we must urgently do. We’ve never met but I feel I have a new sister and a tremendous leader in the fight of our lives. The more of us that speak up and inspire others to do all we can, the greater our chances of survival. Bless you!
Audrey! You should meet! Diana has been fighting for many years...and has always been one of my inspirations! And the thing is, one has to continue to fight. It's impossible to stop...
Thanks! I'm always happy to hear from readers.