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Working in the dark
published: Friday | August 24, 2007
Heather Robinson
Some women are treasured by men after the termination of the relationship. The proverb, 'Cow nuh know the use of him tail, 'till him lose it', puts it far better than I can, and during and after Hurricane Dean, many of us have found ourselves in the place of both man and cow.
On Sunday morning, many of us were able to have a pleasant shower, and many of us watched television until 3.00 p.m.
Others had ice-filled glasses of drink, and others were able to sit under a hair dryer. These are things that we do every day, and we always take them for granted until we can no longer do them.
Hurricane Dean came and disrupted our lives and for some it ended their lives. Today, we should have been winding up political campaigns and preparing ourselves for election day on Monday.
Instead, we are trying to bring our lives back to pre-Dean status. In this time many will be tested. Some will pass and some will fail.
In September 1988, when Hurricane Gilbert came, the government led by Prime Minister Edward Seaga put in place extra security measures that placed restrictions on one's ability to move after certain hours. My recollection is that one had to have some type of security pass issued by the Commissioner of Police, which wouldbe presented to police officers when asked.
Dark time in history
This precious piece of paper was not easy to come by, and was treasured by those who had it. It was a very dark time in our history, and it took several months to have electricity returned, and the general elections were not held until February 9, 1989, 56 days after the government's term had expired.
In September 2004, I wrote, "It is hard to believe the ridiculous complaints by some Jamaicans who have been spoilt by the People's National Party into believing that water and electricity are to be taken for granted".
The same is true today, and chief among those who have been spoilt is the Leader of the Opposition, who sometimes seems unsure as to his real position, as he repeatedly behaves as if he were the Prime Minister.
But some of us today must be questioning his motive for wanting Jamaicans to be up and down the streets after dark. The police reports point to sustained gunfire in areas of Kingston western on Sunday and Monday as some persons sought to use the cover of darkness for their own illegal and criminal reasons.
Many employers have decided to close the offices early precisely for this reason, as they are concerned about their workers going home on dark and desolate streets.
Uncomfortable experience
Why would any reasonable human being want freedom of movement in the darkness? What motive can be satisfied by allowing marauding 'teams' to wonder our streets freely?
Which sane human being could believe that life can get back to normal in less than a week when there are still thousands who have neither water nor electricity? Are the politicians of the United States satisfied with the recovery efforts in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina?
Those who believe that working in the dark is a right need to have their heads examined. Driving on dark streets is not a comfortable experience. Neither is it safe to be campaigning in dark communities with criminals bearing M16 rifles lurking inthe dark as a form of protection.
Many children are afraid of the dark. Many adults are as well. Our police officers understand best the potential for evil that comes with the absence of light. Leaders must come into the light so that we can see their true colours.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
published: Friday | August 24, 2007
Heather Robinson
Some women are treasured by men after the termination of the relationship. The proverb, 'Cow nuh know the use of him tail, 'till him lose it', puts it far better than I can, and during and after Hurricane Dean, many of us have found ourselves in the place of both man and cow.
On Sunday morning, many of us were able to have a pleasant shower, and many of us watched television until 3.00 p.m.
Others had ice-filled glasses of drink, and others were able to sit under a hair dryer. These are things that we do every day, and we always take them for granted until we can no longer do them.
Hurricane Dean came and disrupted our lives and for some it ended their lives. Today, we should have been winding up political campaigns and preparing ourselves for election day on Monday.
Instead, we are trying to bring our lives back to pre-Dean status. In this time many will be tested. Some will pass and some will fail.
In September 1988, when Hurricane Gilbert came, the government led by Prime Minister Edward Seaga put in place extra security measures that placed restrictions on one's ability to move after certain hours. My recollection is that one had to have some type of security pass issued by the Commissioner of Police, which wouldbe presented to police officers when asked.
Dark time in history
This precious piece of paper was not easy to come by, and was treasured by those who had it. It was a very dark time in our history, and it took several months to have electricity returned, and the general elections were not held until February 9, 1989, 56 days after the government's term had expired.
In September 2004, I wrote, "It is hard to believe the ridiculous complaints by some Jamaicans who have been spoilt by the People's National Party into believing that water and electricity are to be taken for granted".
The same is true today, and chief among those who have been spoilt is the Leader of the Opposition, who sometimes seems unsure as to his real position, as he repeatedly behaves as if he were the Prime Minister.
But some of us today must be questioning his motive for wanting Jamaicans to be up and down the streets after dark. The police reports point to sustained gunfire in areas of Kingston western on Sunday and Monday as some persons sought to use the cover of darkness for their own illegal and criminal reasons.
Many employers have decided to close the offices early precisely for this reason, as they are concerned about their workers going home on dark and desolate streets.
Uncomfortable experience
Why would any reasonable human being want freedom of movement in the darkness? What motive can be satisfied by allowing marauding 'teams' to wonder our streets freely?
Which sane human being could believe that life can get back to normal in less than a week when there are still thousands who have neither water nor electricity? Are the politicians of the United States satisfied with the recovery efforts in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina?
Those who believe that working in the dark is a right need to have their heads examined. Driving on dark streets is not a comfortable experience. Neither is it safe to be campaigning in dark communities with criminals bearing M16 rifles lurking inthe dark as a form of protection.
Many children are afraid of the dark. Many adults are as well. Our police officers understand best the potential for evil that comes with the absence of light. Leaders must come into the light so that we can see their true colours.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
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