"One Love" is definitely lacking in the wake of Jamaica's local government elections

petchary

March 4

Bob Marley's Cry For Unity Falling On Deaf Ears

I have not seen the Bob Marley biopic yet, because I find Jamaican cinemas rather noisy and cannot concentrate. The premiere in Kingston was lively and packed with celebrities. Having said that, it seems to have had somewhat mixed reviews, but Professor Carolyn Cooper's review is a positive one. I guess I will watch it one of these days, perhaps when it gets to the streaming platforms. One consensus seems to be that the performances of Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch (as Bob and Rita, respectively) were top-notch.

I am sharing this blog post/newspaper column, because I agree completely with Professor Cooper's sentiments. As a social media person, I confess I am sick and tired of the partisan bickering, not-so-veiled insults and ad hominem attacks that have followed our closely-fought local government elections on February 26, 2024. The media seem to be following along with their own interpretations of the results - which were pretty much even.

"I won!" "No, I won!" cry the party leaders. In response, there is a chorus from their supporters of "We won!" "No, we won!"

The race was extremely tight, but I am not sure that the politicians and their diehard supporters have anything to boast about. Just under one third of registered voters actually cast their ballots. Do better next time, Jamaicans. Vote, and hold them accountable.

I wish we could do more of the "Let's get together and feel all right" part of that particular song. Meanwhile, Jamaican communities across the island have one wish: not to have their very real needs (good roads and water supply, primarily) ignored.

Meanwhile, echoing Marley's words, quoted by Carolyn Cooper, I would say to the politicians with their heads in a spin over a poorly-supported election:

"Watch what you're doing!"