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One ponders the poor electoral performance of the JLP relative to that of the PNP. The JLP has, more often than not, suffered rejection from the Jamaican people at the polls. In overwhelmingly favourable circumstances in 2007 they only managed victory by a razor thin margin, with the popular vote virtually 50:50.
This phenomenon occurs in the face of the decidedly mixed record of PNP administrations - consistently failing to achieve development goals with healthy doses of incompetence and corruption... note: both parties probably have similar propensities for corrupt acts - the PNP has had more opportunity however... and seems to have made use of it.
The question arises - why this relative JLP failure and rejection by Jamaicans? The intellectually lazy may dismiss this question and merely state that Jamaica is PNP country - an inane and useless oversimplification.
The reasons are probably manifold and could be related to the historical organizational structure of the JLP where the party groupings were weak and the national body has to be held together by a "strongman" type of leader viz. Bustamante & Seaga. When this leader has foibles - such as poor people skills (Seaga) this has an inordinate effect on the party and its electoral prospects. The PNP internally has a more democratic organizational structure and stronger internal party bodies as well as "collective responsibilty" as a guiding principle.
A significant element of JLP failure to connect with the Jamaican people is probably also related to their historic support of and by the monied class.... a class historically dominated first by whites and over time by other ethnic minority groups. The JLP often adopts the mores, attitudes and positions and coded language of this class.
Even on this forum, which we could consider a microcosm of the Jamaican polity - one can detect among several of those who are obvious and enthusiastic JLP supporters - the language and mores of of a certain element of this monied elite.... whether or not they are members of this class is irrelevant.
For example - among this group - there is an obvious disregard for and disrespect of black people generally - not just Jamaicans of primarily African descent - but - black people any and everywhere.
It would be less likely (though definitely not impossible) to see such opinions from PNP supporters. Those who may entertain such thoughts are dissuaded from making them openly simply by the weight of tradition in that particular movement.
This is where basic demographics impact on JLP electoral prospects - maybe 90%+ of Jamaicans are identifiably black or of primarily African heritage.
As the JLP and its supporters stay true to their roots and generate language, images and conduct the majority of Jamaicans perceive to be inimical to their interests... they become alienated from the JLP tribe ... and the results are ultimately reflected at the polls..... JLP rejection.
Golding is probably aware of this conundrum and tries to dampen the tendency towards overt JLP racism or ethnic insensitivity as it is called in polite circles in the United States.
This may work for a while and to a certain extent. However people must be themselves and what is inside will come out to the light of day..... especially in the pressure cooker of political contest.
It is therefore inevitable that some JLP supporters will project viscerally anti-black (or perhaps just pro-minority) messages. It is equally inevitable that the Jamaican people will, sooner rather than later, reject this folly and the party seen as its promoter.
Respect is paramount for our people ... we, in our wisdom, have even turned it into probably our most popular greeting.
Respek
This phenomenon occurs in the face of the decidedly mixed record of PNP administrations - consistently failing to achieve development goals with healthy doses of incompetence and corruption... note: both parties probably have similar propensities for corrupt acts - the PNP has had more opportunity however... and seems to have made use of it.
The question arises - why this relative JLP failure and rejection by Jamaicans? The intellectually lazy may dismiss this question and merely state that Jamaica is PNP country - an inane and useless oversimplification.
The reasons are probably manifold and could be related to the historical organizational structure of the JLP where the party groupings were weak and the national body has to be held together by a "strongman" type of leader viz. Bustamante & Seaga. When this leader has foibles - such as poor people skills (Seaga) this has an inordinate effect on the party and its electoral prospects. The PNP internally has a more democratic organizational structure and stronger internal party bodies as well as "collective responsibilty" as a guiding principle.
A significant element of JLP failure to connect with the Jamaican people is probably also related to their historic support of and by the monied class.... a class historically dominated first by whites and over time by other ethnic minority groups. The JLP often adopts the mores, attitudes and positions and coded language of this class.
Even on this forum, which we could consider a microcosm of the Jamaican polity - one can detect among several of those who are obvious and enthusiastic JLP supporters - the language and mores of of a certain element of this monied elite.... whether or not they are members of this class is irrelevant.
For example - among this group - there is an obvious disregard for and disrespect of black people generally - not just Jamaicans of primarily African descent - but - black people any and everywhere.
It would be less likely (though definitely not impossible) to see such opinions from PNP supporters. Those who may entertain such thoughts are dissuaded from making them openly simply by the weight of tradition in that particular movement.
This is where basic demographics impact on JLP electoral prospects - maybe 90%+ of Jamaicans are identifiably black or of primarily African heritage.
As the JLP and its supporters stay true to their roots and generate language, images and conduct the majority of Jamaicans perceive to be inimical to their interests... they become alienated from the JLP tribe ... and the results are ultimately reflected at the polls..... JLP rejection.
Golding is probably aware of this conundrum and tries to dampen the tendency towards overt JLP racism or ethnic insensitivity as it is called in polite circles in the United States.
This may work for a while and to a certain extent. However people must be themselves and what is inside will come out to the light of day..... especially in the pressure cooker of political contest.
It is therefore inevitable that some JLP supporters will project viscerally anti-black (or perhaps just pro-minority) messages. It is equally inevitable that the Jamaican people will, sooner rather than later, reject this folly and the party seen as its promoter.
Respect is paramount for our people ... we, in our wisdom, have even turned it into probably our most popular greeting.
Respek
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