-
In Jamaica, a 14-year-old girl went missing, murdered, and her body burned, indicating a disturbing new normal in crime.’
By R.D.
Her Story/Their Stories
Photo Credit: Latoya Riley, the mother of 14-year-old Yetanya Francis She’s gone way too soon, and who is going to be the next victim?
How do you comfort the mother of Yetanya Francis, a young woman who was murdered and maybe raped, molested, and her lifeless body discovered on August 24, 2018, while out on an errand?
She was cherished and adored by her classmates, community, and friends, and she possessed an infinite number of possibilities.
Regrettably, her future was ruined by an act of violence that many on this coast have witnessed far too frequently, and it is not an accident. Others will have their lives cut short before they had a chance to succeed, which is a tragedy.
Numerous missing and unresolved cases continue to involve young people whose hopes, dreams, and aspirations have been broken by violence.
In light of the atrocities’ unfavorable coverage, many students feel frightened. For some people, the loss of a classmate or a friend can cause long-term psychological damage. Unfortunately, several students will not receive the counseling and other assistance they require to cope.
Data from experts show that when these crimes occur, young girls or boys are frequently sexually abused, or exploited. These atrocities are not the result of the perpetrators having a bad day that turned out badly.
While this young lady’s death was tragic, it is not unique to Jamaica or any of the Caribbean’s other difficult countries. Many parents are still looking for answers to these types of unsolved cases.
No matter how quickly society moves on to the next hot topic, stories like hers must not be forgotten and solutions must be sought out fiercely by the public and law enforcement officials alike.
I’m hoping it doesn’t dissipate quickly in the aftermath of selective fury.
As long as a sexual predator isn’t caught by law enforcement, or one has been released from an institution, or diagnosed with a mental illness so they can receive the proper treatment, or if someone recognizes someone but chooses to remain silent about a thug terrorizing the streets, who knows who will be the next victim.
Previously, these stories would have been a few paragraphs in the local newspaper’s crime section or a quick headline on an evening news outlet. Because of social media, these victim testimonies and public officials’ responses have now spread all over the world.
Few people, especially those in positions of authority, will admit that these cherished moments of freedom, innocence, and limitless possibilities have been ruined.
After the outrage and protests have subsided, her story will become just another one while these parents deal with their grief and continue to be afraid to send their children to school, local stores, or on future educational school trips.
The data: You’ve got to wonder if this is the norm.
In the first place, violence is all around us, and yet it appears that the most typical technique for dealing with violent acts is to place blame, be pessimistic, and divert attention by referring to other countries that have had similar experiences disguised as minimization.
Each year, the Center for the Exploited and Missing Children reports over 800,000 children missing, or nearly 2,000 children per day. This estimate is based on both foreign and domestic data.
Experts point out that, while this is just a snapshot, this information is not widely available in many countries. As a result, you should start your investigation by focusing on your local missing students, or other people, and crimes that occurred, as well as the stories of the victims, particularly one who died as a result of the crime.
Every year, almost 20,000 Australian kids go missing.
Every year, 45,288 children go missing in Canada.
Every year, almost 100,000 children are kidnapped in Germany.
The disease affects 96,000 persons in India.
In 2015, Jamaican authorities reported 1,984 children missing.
In 2015, almost 45,000 children went missing in Russia.
Every year, almost 20,000 children go missing in Spain.
Every year, around 112,853 children go missing in the UK.
Every year, an estimated 460,000 children go missing in America.
This mindset of minimizing and comparison causes tension and worry in the victim’s family and the larger public because of the absence of hope.Who is next, and a few others who have gone before while you deflect?
There has been a slew of crimes committed both before and after the year 2014. The murder of Aliesha Brown, a 13-year-old girl who had gone missing and was later discovered dead on October 2, 2014, and perhaps still being investigated
What would their professional path have been if they hadn’t been snatched from us?
Photo Credit: Jamaica Observer, (Associated Pres/J-Flag The only thing Yetanya cared about was getting to and from school and home without getting hurt or losing her sense of wonder and naiveté.
According to reports, Dwayne Jones, a 16-year-old transgender adolescent, was also brutally murdered by a mob after showing up to a street party dressed as a woman. How many other Dwayne’s live in fear of their true selves?
Individuals who feel gays and lesbians are morally disgusting as a result of their lack of tolerance or harsh views creates a chasm in these disadvantaged and developing communities, resulting in insufficient medical treatment and even violence.
Because of the stigma and hostility that many parents face as a result of their children’s sexual orientation or gender identity, they are more concerned with the present than with the future.
Many people not only on these shores, live in fear for their safety and feel guilty as a result of the antagonism, which can result in isolation, homelessness, abuse, a lack of resources, and a lack of access to non-political support groups.
It’s tough to fathom how awful it would be for these parents to discover their child’s lifeless body in the middle of the night on a mountainside, on a side street in a valley, in front of a stream, or at a mortuary.
The delicate selective empathy for justice- while victims’ tears continue
Regrettably, these headlines fade quickly, which is why so many individuals create reform petitions on social media. While something must change, these victims are frequently forgotten in the arguments.
As previously stated, there is a high level of violence in a number of locations.
The killings, kidnappings, assaults rapes, and robberies of many people are all too common.
These criminals (thugs) kidnap students and leave their families waiting for days, months, or even years for their return.
Photo by Dellon Thomas Mentally sick individuals or possible serial killers usually delay, or even join, the crown, and wait out the frequent three to four days of media euphoria aimed at cultivating an erroneous sense of empathy.
A visit by the Prime Minister or other prominent figures to the home of a victim in response to these heinous atrocities does little to soothe the sorrow of the victims if there are insufficient follow-up resources and no justice for the victims.
A firm embrace or passionate words from a number of community leaders will not be enough to halt the cycle of criminality and family pain, even if there is no community safety and justice for these violent perpetrators.”
While they may have good intentions, if the same challenges arise with the same talking points and few resources, it is often just a photo opportunity for them.
There are many victims who have gone undiscovered because of their sexual orientation or because they lack a voice as a result of poverty, and they are not members of a certain social class, but they are also deserving of a hug or an update on their case status
Long-term socioeconomic consequences
By taking the innocent lives of these students, discord is created in these close-knit communities. Crime, in general, is not only a public health issue on many of these shores, but it also undermines the hope and security of students, as well as the nation’s upward mobility.
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich For instance, a future scholar, sports star, counselor, or advocate who could have contributed to, or has already contributed to, the upward mobility of society as a result of these barbaric doctrines of violence.
No one benefits from a community that remains mute in the face of fresh realities.
As a result, police jobs become more challenging, and the rate of re-victimization and public safety in the neighborhood continues to decline.Additionally, it breeds distrust and depression, while complicating crime-fighting efforts, increasing victimization, and eroding one’s sense of security.
At the sight of this, people are shaken with fear and paranoia. In the absence of action, many hardworking and law-abiding persons may become victims as well.
Vigilante justice has been increasingly popular in recent years because of their dissatisfaction, lack of faith in the system, and utter disregard for the rule of law.
Furthermore, it has the ability to put innocent individuals at risk while failing to address the root causes of the problem.
There are numerous such victim stories that exist and will exist in the future; thus, when will the next round of photo ops be completed and the process of building an action campaign begin?
What has changed since the last time these problems were debated in the political arena?
Many political leaders suffering from selective amnesia merely prepare themselves for the revolving election door in which they failed while in power, rather than genuinely serving the demands of their constituents on a variety of fronts during their time in office.
Even if new policies and strategies have been developed are implemented, will they be sufficient to deal with the underlying systemic issue that has existed for years?
The leadership race appears to be held in a vacuum, with the purpose of identifying who controls reality.
As I have stated, the terrible reality is that these fears and outrages tend to fade away after a few news cycles, which is unfortunate.
Countless times have we heard the statement “we’ll find a solution” uttered by authorities, while the cries of local inhabitants are drowned out by the commotion of the crowds.
The fact that some local officials may be afraid and prefer to remain silent in the face of ongoing bloodshed suggests that the deafening silence has contributed to a feeling of normalcy.
Is it feasible for them to approach the church for assistance? I’m not sure what will happen if religious institutions, activists, counselors, and educators are unable to inspire and alleviate sorrow while also giving hope and tranquillity during these challenging times.
Many preachers are forced to turn a blind eye to crime in order to maintain their positions. Now, it appears as though the person with the best weapon is the one who resolves all disputes.
Who is making the decisions?
Organized crime appears to be gaining strength and will soon be able to outgun law enforcement officers, who may already be stretched too thin and lacking in various resources to cope with these new criminal threats properly, according to an increasing number of reports.
Photo by kat Wilcox Despite the right to hope for better days, there is a quiet sense that the problem is worsening.
As it stands, these atrocities, like political solutions, are the result of a systemic problem that is constantly ignored, and the people who should be working tirelessly to ensure that there is hope, safety, and tangible results to help these cherished wonderful, cultural communities return to the bean of light are not being held accountable for the consequences.
People in many neighborhoods appear to have become numb and indifferent to the steady stream of news reports about violence.
The distrust of police stretches back to colonial times, making it difficult for people to speak up in closing these cases because they regard a few industrious policemen as the enemy.
Trust is further damaged if, as stated, some of those sworn to serve and protect are allocated case numbers as a result of their illicit conduct.
How can the next generation expect a better future if they see their peers’ lives cut short with little or no positive impact??
Is it possible that Jamaica, as well as a few other unstable countries, ended up in this situation?
Crime control measures have, of course, been put in place by the country in order to confront this malignancy of criminality, but many people believe that they have done nothing to restrict the easy availability of high-capacity firearms, to curtail organized crime, to get to the source of these issues.
No one seems to be ready to speak out about a crime because they are afraid they will be the next victim of a lack of support or protection, hence many homicides go unsolved. This could be because the police force is too tiny to adequately cover these congested areas.
An incentive in the form of money is nice, but community policing’s usefulness in building relationships with residents and persuading them that they are not the enemy is invaluable. Officers need your help, but it’s not just about the officers in this case.
Another wave that is rarely told.
Yetanya’s and other young people’s stories have kept me up at night because their single ambition was to be left alone to pursue their dreams.
Some of this societal deterioration can be attributed to economic stagnation, documented corruption, a widening gap between the rich and poor, and high unemployment rates.
Photo by KALZud8 A lack of treatment for this criminal disease will only make the problem worse and lead to much more social and economic degradation if it isn’t addressed.
A far cry from the laid-back and trouble-free atmosphere of Jamaica and a few other troubled islands that frequently welcomed visitors and returning residents.
More than 1,600 people perished as a result of violence in 2017, according to the Jamaica Observer.
Even in areas with a higher level of safety, one would think that law enforcement would have a better handle on these types of crimes. Gunned down while waiting for his son to come home from school, Carlis Blatch worked as an assistant to the Bahamas’ governor-general.
Sadly, even some returning residents who have worked their whole lives and returned to enjoy their retirement or make a difference have similar stories.
I’ve decided to highlight a few that are especially dear to me. (For other related Opinions, click here.)
Delroy Walker’s death in May 2018 serves as another reminder of the danger that few individuals are aware of and/or are willing to confess to others in the community.
He was attacked and murdered after he returned to Jamaica after spending time in the United Kingdom and giving back to the young of the island.
Photo credit: Steve Walker, whose brother Delroy Walker was murdered in Jamaica He has been an advocate for youths by giving back and making use of his abilities and resources through his nonprofit organization, which he established.
He was popular with everyone he met, and spending merely a few minutes with him reveals why: his humanity, love for the community, and upward mobility for the less fortunate, as well as his persistent desire to aid people. He was a gentle soul who impacted the lives of many.
Criminal groups that are gradually destroying these once-safe communities pose a significant threat to daily life, despite the fact that his assassins may have been apprehended as of this writing.
Delroy’s death slowed down many charitable barrels of goods that were supposed to be sent to the island to help other people. They are now being reconsidered or sold on eBay and Amazon, and they are being kept in a basement or storage center because of safety concerns.
44-year-old Karen Cleary was last seen on Sunday, November 25th while working on her dream home in her birth nation of Canada. Her body was found in a shallow grave on her farm in Boscobel, St Mary’s Parish, according to local news reports.
Yes! To be sure, I recognize that crime is all too common, as are poverty, inequality, and socioeconomic issues.
Criminal activity becomes more appealing to young people when they lack hope, social support, or the financial means to pursue their dreams.
Many people are losing their sense of normalcy.
Many people, including myself, can afford to stay in a private villa and eat some of the best food available. I prefer to see the real thing, pick my own fruits, and nothing brings me more joy than supporting a local street vendor.
Those with a strong heritage also visit their grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives. But how long will these visits be common if these types of news stories continue?
When I first fell in love with Ras’s business and other local famous spots off the beaten route, I would stop by to gather apples and mangos from Grandma’s fruit trees and wait for Ras’s steam fish supper to arrive in his handcrafted dish.
Yes, you can still find that, but there are fewer and fewer of them each year, either because of the economic downturn in some areas or because of the threat of violence, and these iconic spots are priceless.
However, there are pockets of danger lurking in these natural events and images, like snake poison, which might strike at any time. These natural occurrences and images are not necessarily healthy.
Sadly, it is important to keep an eye out for potential threats.
Many iconic and cultural hangout shops, restaurants, and bars are now only open in the morning and closed at night unless they are located in one of those tourist-protected zones.
The reality is that crime is causing the lovely breeze that caresses your cheek, the beam of sunshine, and the smile that greets you with a sense of peace to cause some potential visitors to reconsider their visit.
I’m not saying that the country as a whole is now isolated and rife with violence. Many people keep coming to weddings and fun vacations and having a good time, and they keep having fun.
However, leaders must understand that this magnificent country has been dealing with major crimes for decades and cannot be kicked down the road to see who comes next in order to get to the root of these problems.
A shift in perspective is required.
With a chilly breeze that makes you feel like you’ve shed your skin like a snake in order to take on a new identity and forget your problems as if you were at an all-day spa, the beach’s white sand and turquoise ocean stay unchanged.
To combat crime, some experts said that a wide variety of early detection, accountability, resources, and community involvement are required, but they must also understand that the country is plagued by major crimes.
Individuals who suffer from a sexual mental disorder or other antisocial dangers, as well as other forms of criminality such as rapists, should have resources to help them change their criminal behavior. These concerns demand a comprehensive evaluation and psychosexual therapy.
The education system, which is critical to preparing the next generation of leaders and rebuilding the middle class, appears to be deteriorating.
Today, many young people have dropped out of school, are struggling with addiction and mental health issues, and those with higher education have few opportunities for advancement because they are burdened by student loans and empty promises.
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny In order to prepare the next generation of leaders and re-establish the middle class, the education system appears to be failing.
As my mother once observed, “pure talk seldom results in action.”
There are many people out there who are unaware of the atrocities occurring in this gorgeous location, but the sun will rise again, and you must continue speaking out.
Although tourists are still an important component of Jamaica’s economic engine, and other places, the young people I’ve encountered don’t see that as the only source of success, fulfillment, and employment prospects in other industries is also crucially important.
After years of photo ops and empty promises, they are ready for genuine options, leadership with a stake in their future, competitive world knowledge that will help them succeed, and not just personal rewards for themselves.
If the correct instruments are utilized to shift course, all is not lost.
Despite the atrocities committed against its people, this island nation has maintained its resiliency and hasn’t lost its will to fight back.
There may be fewer community businesses featuring late-night music and street sellers, but these beats, smiles, and pockets of authenticity will endure.
Photo by James Wheeler It is still possible to feel the “local smile” and “cool running vibes” in Jamaica. If you’re looking for authentic Jamaican cuisine or a flat tire fix, you can still find them at restaurants and shops that are open to everyone.
However, if they wish to reclaim their economic stability and confidence, they must demonstrate their passion, even if it is loud because only an individual can define what is normal or alter and rectify what is not.
Coming to terms with the world around you
There were lovely weddings and beaches, but I couldn’t stop thinking about their family and other heartaches despite all that I could have eaten and danced and forgotten that this wasn’t really the beautiful scenery.
For me, writing this blog post was therapeutic because I always wonder what 14-year-old Yetanya Francis and Aliesha Brown, as well as many other young people who died too soon, would be like today.
My heart and mind are filled with the thought of a victim crying for help.
I often wish I could go back in time and give them a chance to live because I went to college, lived a good life, achieved the goals I set for myself, and lived my life the way I wanted.
Society cannot abandon hope and must nurture it. These communities, regardless of distance, must be present for others in order to bring this madness to a stop.
If only they’d been given a chance!
(Stay Safe)
One-TimeMonthlyYearlyMake a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
$3.00$6.00$10.00$5.00$15.00$100.00$5.00$15.00$100.00Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated and will support students through the Blue Scholarship Fund
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly -
COVID-19: The long-term socio-economic gap facing poor and developing countries.
BY R.D.
The humanity of education:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences beyond the transmission of disease and attempts at quarantine or social distance. Thousands of people have been made unemployed, companies have gone out of business, or sales have decreased dramatically.
coronavirus under the microscope. The unknown consequences of more than a million people dying and an estimated 50 million others becoming ill, with the number of infected people continuing to rise.
Unfortunately, many low-income families in impoverished communities in poor and developing countries lack access to the global distance learning space, preventing them from catching up to the wealthier towns, counties, states, in these school districts.
Many are already overcrowded, low-performing, run-down structures that are deemed unsafe for both students and teachers due to a high student-to-teacher ratio. Students in several of these educational systems were required to attend classes in the morning and afternoon shifts.
Though it is not an easy task, the pandemic has revealed how fragile economies were prior to the pandemic, as well as the lack of focus on the educational system.
According to experts, these students will miss out on the critical face-to-face socializing process for a child’s development until the global health pandemic has passed.
Several schools that followed the guidelines of social distancing and masking had to close due to new infections, according to reports. Furthermore, these schools have the necessary resources, such as adequate classroom size and proper ventilation.
While communities debate the best course of action to mitigate the effects of science, politics, vaccination, and equitable distribution of resources.
The reality is that for many impoverished countries, this is still a complex issue, and some students may not be able to return to school due to a lack of critical resources.
Photo by Pixabay Aside from that, many people will object to vaccinations for cultural and religious reasons, as well as a history of mistrust, fearing that they will be used in their development.
Hunger, poverty, and malnutrition, on the other hand, are killing millions, and this disaster appears to have taken a back seat or been eclipsed by many communities, hidden behind clinical trials, vaccination, reservations, rising death tolls, and infections.
This pandemic has taught us that education is about teaching all people, regardless of race, gender, creed, culture, or socioeconomic status, and about building a nation and humanity that will bring our society closer together.
Beyond the vaccine, science, and politics.
COVID-19 exists in two worlds: behind a camera, on a computer screen hidden behind a kitchen counter, in a cafe, or in a corner office, and beyond the articles, opinions, and though it may not be related to a teacher’s engagement.
Photo by Julia M Cameron This new normal distance learning, hybrid, behind a camera, computer screen tucked away on a kitchen counter, at a cafe, or in a corner office, it’s a fight between the haves and have-nots once more.
While there have been political debates and promises about the COVID-19 stimulus package or money distributed, there has been no accountability or mismanagement of funds, as has been reported.
Many areas have seen distribution along political lines, with the fun lasting only as long as a trip to the local grocery store for those who needed it the most.
As a result, many future local elections will be won or lost based on the amount of money distributed, with overall pandemic management becoming lost in these debates.
Unfortunately, many politicians excel at winning elections before they understand the difference between campaigning and governing. Government is about getting things done, which is far more difficult than being a politician.
We give some people more work than they can handle because they have limited skills.
Several political leaders have issued tablets in many of these impoverished and developing regions, which is a step in the right direction, but it is not the end of the story. There is no internet access, nor are there any resources to pay for it.
Photo by Roberto Nickson Many of these leaders failed to recognize the technological and educational gap, which is especially important for many poor and developing countries, which can no longer wait for recycled or older computers to become competitive. The wisdom of these students goes beyond the dial-up mentality that has held several communities back.
Experts in the field of technology say that while these devices can be used to access education from a distance, they lack a keyboard and mouse, have a slow processor, and have limited research capabilities. Increasing numbers of young people are abandoning the classroom in search of a better life on the streets.
The economic reality that cannot be masked
When it comes to uploading and downloading life’s journey, poverty is like dial-up internet, and it has held many students back.
According to experts, COVID-19 has already begun to have an impact on academic achievement. Students have been failing at an alarming rate since COVID-19, according to reports. A recent test resulted in lower math, reading, and science scores.
Prior to COVID-19, many poor and developing countries were struggling and risking high tides across the perilous ocean as refugees looked for economic anchorage in any empty classroom.
Photo by Ahmed akacha These systemic disparities necessitate a new fiber-optic connection to combine hunger, education, and the pandemic into a single long-term social contract, similar to what your local cable company provides with broadband internet, television, and telephone.
According to the World Bank, the middle class has been equally affected, and the dreadful long-term reality of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty is appalling, as they anticipated an increase in poverty.
According to the report, between 70 and 80 million people will be pushed into deeper poverty. There were significant disparities in many areas prior to the pandemic, including education, employment, and access to good, affordable health care.
Is it a matter of budget whether you study on campus or not?
Rich school districts, on the other hand, have implemented an excellent strategy that includes resources, new technology platforms, increased speed, computers, and continuous access, whether virtual, in-classroom, or hybrid.
Parents in these affluent districts are frequently more engaged, have more flexibility, and have connections that can influence the next learning platforms that work with their schedules.
And, while there are legitimate concerns about student and teacher safety, as evidenced by the teachers and their union’s picket lines, these are usually resolved through the school’s budget.
Even with access, this pandemic has devastated many families on the other side of the city, particularly minorities and people of color who have lost many families as a result of this disease.
Healthcare disparities have resulted in more deaths in these communities, and any new classroom format, whether online or in person, will not fill the emotional sadness and gaps.
Who will be there to console a student who has lost a parent or another family member to the disease? In reality, COVID-19 has already widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
As experts pointed out, students unquestionably missed their senior proms, hanging out with friends, homecoming, and sports, all of which are critical to a student’s social and emotional needs.
However, the impact of this pandemic will be measured not by these factors alone, nor by political polls, but by the gaps, it will leave in our society.
Furthermore, they will face further setbacks in their educational, social, and economic development; many may not even be vaccinated due to location, and access will remain a barrier.
The only people who could win are well-connected politicians, where questions about the accounting of COVID-19 donated funds have been raised, according to reports.
In addition, the investors as shares of pharmaceutical companies skyrocketed, but one still must give credit to the scientist who has been working and got society to this point.
Today’s teachers wear many hats, including counselors, technical support, financial resource, and attendance advocate.
Teachers have a lifelong effect on schoolchildren, helping them believe in themselves, according to studies, but parents will continue to be the most influential individuals in a child’s education and development.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov COVID-19 has thrown many teachers into this unknown glass room, where everyone is watching, hoping to get to know these kids through their often foggy gadgets while keeping 20-35 students alert.
The online environment does not provide an ideal platform for recognizing all students’ unique strengths, weaknesses, and motivation levels, which is essential for keeping them all engaged virtually. However, there is a trade-off given the risk of new infections because no one knows how the vaccine will react to new variants.
We can argue that these students do not have the responsibility to go to work; their only commitment is to wake up, log in, and participate, but I can see how many students’ grades may suffer, even if they had a high GPA prior to the Pandemic.
For a few days, the personal check-in was disguised.
I’ve been observing a few classes over the last three months and have come to realize just how difficult it is for teachers to adapt to this new normal.
COVID-19 exposure provides some parents who can afford to stay home with immediate access to their children, which is undeniably beneficial for the parents involved.
Photo by Bich Tran You get that “I’ll be right back” a lot when you’re wearing two hats, but I understand.
Even though I work in an environment where I am protecting the public and using cutting-edge technology, my somewhat unlimited budget platform has its bad days. However, as the week progressed, it became less painful, and now and then someone appears in this visual space, possibly a school counselor or based on parental feedback.
Students’ opinions, which may be formed for a lifetime, may not have any outside discussion of one’s political beliefs, socioeconomic status, culture, race, national origin, and how few view other groups.
Often, there is a sense of a misguided history from some of these selective lectures, where it appears key decades in our/their history have been painstakingly painted in a much rosier light.
There is no need to be alarmed here, but it may point to broader intersectionality in our community and why there is a continued socioeconomic and racial divide, but given the diversity, I remain optimistic.
Some teachers are extremely helpful and understanding, whereas others, once the slide is completed, please check the folder to respond. What about those who may not have access to a closed online slide from that day’s class to refresh because their connection is at a McDonald’s, far from home?
Let us hope that COVID-19 does not further divide us once we are all vaccinated and can return to normalcy.
Many questionable sections of these PowerPoints will be critical to their development outside of the classroom, such as at lunch, on the field, or while walking to their locker.
Where is Mum when the internet connection is down?
Because of the pandemic, many people are unemployed, searching for a child, caring for their parents, becoming the breadwinner, looking for work, having no support when the WIFI goes down, and the list goes on.
These parents are entitled to additional assistance and resources, such as community groups. Even to help with a homework assignment Recognizing and respecting the fact that each family and child has unique needs is critical.
Many parents have taken on the role of substitute night teachers due to the abundance of assignments and emails. How will they help their child with homework if they can’t explain what’s being taught?
Mental health problems in children, adolescents, and college students are on the rise, according to experts.
More reclusive than usual
Excessive or insufficient eating or sleeping;
Most days, I’m in an irritable mood.
They are uninterested in the activities they normally enjoy.Parents should be aware of several pop-up learning platforms that offer free computers and dedicated support as an alternative.
They must investigate, as with any sequence-based surveillance, laboratory studies, and epidemiological findings, to ensure that it does not place an enormous financial burden on them and does not fail to prepare the child for the future.
Furthermore, the increase in fishing to lure students away from the virtual classroom to inappropriate websites and even the best internet security can’t keep track of these sites.
I’m logging out for the day with reservations, but I’m still optimistic.
As society rebalances, I hope this pandemic provides a second chance for everyone to close these systematic gaps. Times are tough right now, but I am optimistic if we prepare with a new balanced approach because education belongs to humanity, not a country.
Photo Credit: Forbes Choose an amount
-
Choosing between a rock and a hard place: Jamaica’s governance color’
BY R.D. MILLER
This, like others before it, is an unfinished canvas and a variety of colored bags:
On September 3, 2020, the island of approximately three million people will decide whether to replace the locks or return the keys, as well as which party color they will hang for at least four more years, as voters consider a plethora of economic issues.
Economic pressure, unfulfilled promises, a growing or shrinking economy, high or low unemployment, climate change, economic mobility, COVOD-19, Distribution of Funds, stagnation, who is less or more corrupted- high, low crime, how many murdered under what party, prosperity, poverty, a growing divide between the haves and have-nots, high or reduced taxes
The covid effect on the pain brush
Many voters and party officials questioned the timing because of COVID-19, but Prime Minister Andrew Holness of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) seized the moment, observing favorable poll numbers, and called for an election in the hope of extending and addressing the socio-economic and crime dents that have been inside these communities’ neglected paint shop for many years.
COVID-19 Pandemic, financial accountability, old-new manifesto, but who is accurately counting depends on one’s political affiliation. The COVID-19 fear, easy access to polling places for seniors, or abandoned hope and trust in the system. Many of the low-probability voters who will vote in this election are caught between a rock and a hard place
The island has made some progress in containing the pandemic at this early stage, but leaders must be honest and initiate a genuine debate about managing the pandemic. Many people argued that Tests, Treatment, and Trace (TTT), which will be critical, could be improved.
COVID-19-Image The long-term economic impact is unknown at this time, as the country and my other locations continue to follow the science and recommendations.
This battle to paint the nation’s next canvas may not be decided by who won the political debates or who has a better understanding of the country’s needs, but as experts have pointed out, the team that is more adept at using social media allows politicians to avoid the traditional method of reaching out to voters.
The reality is that it depends on the color you want to see.
An earlier nationwide radio poll found that roughly 64% believe the Holness administration is corrupt, but that it may be better to manage corruption. They will view these issues through a political prism that is either half-full or half-empty.
This report implies that having these foxes guard the hen-house is preferable. This election is still about what they should have done, what they could have done, what they might have done, what they might have done in the past.
These battles should be about the country’s future, environmental issues, the actual trade deficit, the balance sheet, investments, particularly for youths, education, corrections, training and development, and other key economic indicators for Jamaica’s real economic stability, which will benefit everyone.
When the election whistle blew, the two leaders, the players, went into non-stop color media bliss, taunting the progress or lack thereof. COVID-19 social distancing appears to be on the back burner of a national political campaign.
Unfortunately, no matter what the circumstances, justification, rationalization, or excuses are, bad things invariably follow when a country’s life is put at risk for personal gain.
Take, for example, the pandemic that I mentioned earlier. Rebuilding will be a continuing challenge for the new leader. COVID-19, economic stagnation, crime, poverty, and, yes, COVID-19 Blame Game Will Get Uglier as this election pandemic is ruthlessly exploited at the expense of people’s lives
This election debates for changing the nation’s economic tires, repainting, refueling these communities, and repairing broken parts may simply come down to which side is telling the truth or is better at covering up the truth as the island battles for its soul consistency looking for good governance.
The only certainty is that the winning party will need a majority because there is no room for compromise, even if the messenger on the other side has a friendly message, and more likely that the losing candidate will steer his ship into an iceberg if down-ballot candidates are on the ballot?
The same cars, dented but in different colors?
Local politics in Jamaica are frequently compared to a contact sport in which only the strongest survive. The economic strain will continue after the political colorful game is over, with injured community players sidelined due to lost jobs, navigating students who may face distance learning in rural areas without resources, and many other camouflage colors that have been blocking upward mobility, from a checked flag to a good finish line.
Photo by Denys Gromov Photo by Adrian Dorobantu An incumbent has an advantage, and people may stick to the putrefaction because sifting through political tribalism is difficult, and governmental power is rarely based on real accomplishments, but on personal time served in a cabinet and popularity, resources to paint a better picture than reality.
Whether Dr. Peter Phillips, the People’s National Party (PNP) opposition leader, agrees with the election call. It is a delicate balance to ask residents who have been neglected to buy another ticket for their economic future. Both ships, each with a new soundtrack, argue that better days are ahead while accusing the other of being in the same murky water.
The reality is that any losing party’s leadership will almost certainly lead the entire crew into an iceberg. Even if the messenger on the other side has a good plan, the tribal toxicity in these campaigns leaves little room for compromise.
Sadly just holding the paint brush from the window, it seems; one side is blemished, the other is imperfect, while the oppressed are constantly squeezed from decades of promises, distrust, and ineffective management, as well as a lack of upward mobility, as many argue that only political leaders appear to be the only ones getting ahead.
The color that is missing while leaders shine:
Jamaica will rise and do better, but who will be less tainted, or who will carry a permanent stain, to continue navigating these ostentatious waters, roads, and hills?
When voters are whipped into a desperate frenzy, pitting communities against each other for temporary feel-good, the youths, downtrodden, teachers, law enforcement, public safety victims of crime, small businesses, and the middle class are trapped inside the body shop hoping someone fixes their dents from years of neglect and bumps.
After all, these political spray paint parties and leaders must serve as primary colors, combining both sides to produce an excellent portrait. Constant political wrangling only complicates governance and paints a bleak future picture.
Despite its cultural significance, Jamaica’s prosperity is not the best beat on the street; it is a single unemployed mother, father, sons, daughters, cousins, grandparents, and uncle on the hill debating whether or not to dance because what happens when the music stops?
“”The rhythms may change, but they’re all on the same vinyl,” one person argued.
Many argue that the politics in that country, as well as other impoverished and developing countries, are similar to some aspects of Chinese investment. They come to mine minerals and other natural resources in exchange for low-cost goods. However, little will change.
Unfortunately, after an election, Jamaica, like many other poor and developing countries, is dominated by kleptocracy leadership. Despite coming from modest means and being democratically elected, many of them have amassed massive fortunes.
These politicians use their political clout and clout to amass personal fortunes. Several reports have surfaced of people stealing money and important resources from the countries they lead, including close allies and family members. They govern in a charismatic manner for the people, but when they leave office, they are enormously wealthy.
As some locals have pointed out, the wealthy, well-connected, and politicians are often the only ones who continue to prosper. Many gated communities will claim patriotism and continue to wield political power in order to protect their profit margin.
We’re hoping for a new blend:
According to local reports, a number of women have entered this election on both sides, and whoever wins must demand a seat at the prime minister’s decision table.
Few Pictures from 2020 campaigns: Photo Credit JLP & PNP. Scholars have observed that women are under-represented in key positions to make critical changes in elected offices, civil services, the private sector, and academia, not only in Jamaica but in several other poor and developing countries.
This political election will not significantly reduce COVID-19 the next day, reduce crime, create affordable education, violence against women, better medical care, lower unemployment, increase bed space, or provide new life-saving equipment.
As the region continues to navigate the choppy waters, I hope that after these colorful events, everyone can find a color combination to renovate the country. It will take more than party dedication to see hope triumph over fear and reality triumph over fiction on this beautiful island.
Will everyone enjoy and benefit from the finished product?
This battle to paint the nation’s next canvas may not be decided by who won the debates or who has a better understanding of the country’s needs.
Voting should be done for the future, not for temporary jobs or a financial handout in an emergency. What about tuition and school supplies for your child’s education in the long run?
If your participation or reason for running for office is purely for personal gain, the nation’s socioeconomic upward mobility from healthcare, safety, education, and better roads will be lost at the polls.
During this political battle, the only question that communities should be asking is whether they are better off today or envision a future for the next generation. However, this election may come down to a single issue, “safety,” which is a public health issue.
Bob Marley Jamaica is not without flaws, but it is a vibrant place full of hope and opportunity. Change must begin at the bottom and work its way up. Regardless of which color is elected, the country must deal with a number of ignored rusts that weave a new upward mobility pain for long-term development; transforming the country.
An election, like art, should leave people with wonderful memories. As this shore tries to choose an image for better days between a rock and a hard place, regardless of who has the next paintbrush, they must remain hopeful until everyone can genuinely enjoy these recycled portraits, adding their color for both the country and personal prosperity.
-
The color of governance: Jamaica’s 2020 Election: Choosing between a rock and a hard place`
BY R.D.
This, like others before it, is an unfinished canvas and a variety of colored bags:
Approximately three million people will vote on September 3, 2020, on whether or not to replace the locks or return the keys, and whose party color they will wear for the next four years, while they weigh a wide range of socio-economic issues.
As seen in other places, Jamaica is not afraid to put everything on the table if it means more power on any given political side.
From high crime to low crime, from a growing wealth gap to a shrinking economy, from climatic change to gender equity, from the number of murders committed under the JLP or PNP to the number of jobs created, to the number of promises kept and the number of people who are able to move up the economic ladder, there are a variety of variables that can play a role.
This conflict can be exacerbated by the social pressure of those who are well-connected and wealthy to change or maintain the status quo regardless of who has the keys to Jamaica’s or the people’s house.
The covid effect of this election’s paintbrush
The timing of the election was also questioned by many voters and opinion leaders, but Prime Minister Andrew Holness (JLP) took advantage of the occasion, based on good poll figures.
He is popular, and he has taken a new approach, and depending on the angle from which one sees this moving vehicle and preferred color, some call his plan an old-or new manifesto.
People in these communities have had socioeconomic and crime holes in their neglected paint shops for a long time. The prime minister called for an election based on the constitution in order to try to fix them.
Yes, COVOD-19 has added another level to the debate and opened the door to a wider discussion, distribution of Funds, what business stays open, closed, death tolls, vaccination, who is less or more corrupted-but at the same time, it has provided additional much-needed paint to cover these areas for now until the pandemic can be addressed.
While the island has made some progress in containing the virus at this early stage, leaders must be candid and initiate a serious discussion about pandemic management. Numerous individuals suggested that the critical Tests, Treatment, and Trace (TTT) procedures could be improved.
COVID-19-Image With the COVID-19 fear, easy access to voting sites for the elderly, or abandoned hope and trust in the system, there is reason to believe that citizens who will vote in this election are trapped between a rock and a hard place if they gaze in through these tinted windows inside the community body shop.
However, the battle to paint the nation’s next canvas may not be decided by who won the political debates or who has a better understanding of the country’s needs; rather, as experts have pointed out, the team that is more adept at using social media allows politicians to avoid the more traditional method of directly addressing voters with difficult questions.
It depends on the color you want to see
According to a previous nationwide radio poll, approximately 64 percent of respondents thought the Holness administration is corrupt, but that it may be more beneficial to handle corruption.
Photo by Markus Spiske People on the island are constantly fighting for their socio-economic balance; seeking the right soul for a good government.
The debates over replacing the country’s economic tires, painting, recharging these communities, and repairing damaged parts may boil down to which side is better at telling the truth or lying about what is going on.
They will see these issues through a political prism that is either half-full or half-empty, depending on their political affiliations.
This report suggests that having these foxes keep an eye on the hen house is better than not having them at all.
All of these things are still important in this election. This election is about what they should have done, what they could have done, and what they might have done in the past.
Those who fight should be fighting for the future of Jamaica, the environment, the real trade deficit, the balance sheet, investments, especially for young people, education, corrections, training, and development, and other important economic indicators that will help everyone in the country.
Start painting or sanding down the rust for display.
When the election buzzer sounded, the two leaders, the players, entered a state of non-stop color media bliss, mocking progress or lack thereof. COVID-19 societal separation appears to be a secondary consideration in a national political campaign.
Even if the PNP’s leader, Dr. Peter Phillips, is opposed to such a demand, a careful balancing act must be performed in asking individuals who have been forgotten to purchase another ticket for their economic future.
While each ship’s melody is distinct, they both herald the arrival of better days. The other ship, according to both of them, is also in troubled, murky, and choppy questionable waters.
The fact remains that politics is a game of cat and mouse, and in this part of the world, it’s a fight of the titans between two powers looking to expand, or gain no matter what the conditions or justifications, or rationalizations may be.
Unfortunately, regardless of the circumstances, or excuses, when a country’s life is put at stake for personal political gains, horrible things usually follow, but we are still hoping for the best.
As I have said before, rebuilding will be a big problem for the new leader. This election pandemic is going to get even worse as people use it to their own advantage at the expense of people’s lives.
COVID-19, economic stagnation, crime, poverty, and the COVID-19 Blame Game will all get worse.
As long as there are down-ballot candidates who are running, it is more likely that the candidate who lost will run into an iceberg, even if the other person on the other side is friendly.
The only certainty is that the winning party will need a majority because there is no room for compromise, even if the messenger on the other side still has the respect and admiration of his or her community
Dented and painted different versions of the same vehicle?
Photo by Denys Gromov (Represent the People’s National Party,) (PNP) Photo by Adrian Dorobantu(Represent the Jamaica Labor Party, (JLP) Since driving and navigating political tribalism is challenging in a well-tuned engine, voters may choose to stick with an incumbent, who benefits from his or her position of familiarity and the resources available to present a more positive picture than reality.
Sadly, as it seems, governmental power is rarely based on real accomplishments, but on personal time served in a cabinet and popularity, resources to paint a better picture than reality.
Local politics is frequently compared to a contact sport in which only the strongest survive. After the political colorful game is over, the economic stains will continue, with injured community players sidelined due to unemployment from being on the losing team this season.
However, some will me but building new connections in maintaining their power and wealth, while others with camouflage colors that have been impeding upward mobility.
The impact of COCID-19 on navigating students who may face distance learning in rural areas without resources; they, too, will be looking for a new coat of paint, or a victim, wonders if their number will be called on a resolved case
Unfortunately, it appears as though only political leaders and the well-connected circles are advancing economically. No one has a monopoly on the best vehicle.
One political side has dents, the other with missing paints, and the oppressed are constantly squeezed by decades of promises, distrust, and ineffective management, as well as a lack of upward mobility.
It has been a pattern for decades, and many studies have shown that Jamaica ranks high on the corruption index when compared to other nations, and it supports
many elders argue that politics is where many people who should have been public servants go to become wealthy and the cycle continues.The color that is missing while leaders shine:
Despite its cultural importance, Jamaica’s prosperity isn’t the best beat on the street; it’s a single unemployed mother, father, sons, daughters, cousins, grandparents, and uncle on the hill debating whether or not to dance because what happens when the music stops?
Photo by Timur Weber While the rhythms may vary, they are all recorded on the same vinyl,” one person contended.
A desperate frenzy that pits communities against each other for a short-term sense of happiness can make people feel like they’re stuck in a body shop.
People who have been neglected and bumped for years are stuck there, waiting for someone to fix their dents from years of collisions, and socioeconomic rust
Regrettably, Jamaica, like many other impoverished and developing countries, is governed by a kleptocratic government following an election.
Despite their humble origins and democratic election, several of them have earned enormous riches.
Numerous studies have revealed that they govern with a charismatic style; frequently use their political authority to build personal riches, including those of close allies and family members; and are tremendously affluent after they leave office.
Many have relocated to gated enclaves, professed patriotism, and continued to wield political power in order to safeguard their profit margins.
Numerous commentators assert that the politics of that country, as well as those of other underdeveloped and growing economies, share some resemblance to Chinese investment in specific sectors.
They come in attractive bundles, but in exchange, there is an imbalance that costs these people more money, while they gather minerals and other natural resources, and little will change after the contracts are signed.
After all, in order for these political spray paint parties and leaders to produce an excellent portrait, they must serve as primary colors, combining both sides.
Constant political wrangling complicates governance and paints a bleak future.
They are anticipating a fresh blend:
There is a lack of women in political posts, civil service, business sector, and academia in Jamaica and many other poor and developing nations according to academics.
According to local media reports, both parties have a significant number of women running in this election. However, whoever wins must demand a seat at the prime minister’s decision table.
Few Pictures from 2020 campaigns: Photo Credit JLP & PNP. They must work with other women, regardless of political beliefs, because they are the backbone of this country and the lifeblood that determines whether these paints shine for future generations or rust.
This political election will not significantly reduce COVID-19 the following day, crime, violence against women, better medical care, lower unemployment, increase bed space, or provide new life-saving equipment.
As the region continues to navigate choppy waters, I hope that after these colorful events, everyone can come up with a color scheme to renovate the country.
On this beautiful island, it will take more than party dedication to see hope triumph over fear and reality triumph over fiction.
Will the finished product be enjoyed and benefited by all?
Voting should be done for the future, not for short-term employment or a financial handout in an emergency.
What about long-term tuition and school supplies for your child’s education?
Bob Marley Despite the colors, social media blasts, likes, and yes, for many who sit on the side, some of whom may not live in the country, and are part of the decision making; the only question that communities should be asking is whether they are better off today or envision a future for the next generation.
However, this election may come down to a single issue, “safety,” which is a public health issue, because the data on other systemic issues have been there for decades, and the best speeches will not change that.
Jamaica is not without flaws, but it is a vibrant place full of opportunity and hope.
Change must start at the bottom and work its way to the top.
Whichever color is elected, the government must address a number of overlooked rusts that weave a new upward mobility pain for long-term development, thereby reshaping the country.
It’s important to think about whether your community vehicle is still in good shape when you start painting again, as I said before. If it’s not, you’ll need to make changes or make some adjustments.
I don’t have a vote, no financial interest, and no candidate, but I like the colors and hope for a better canvas where everyone can stop by, feel safe, find inspiration, and the possibilities are endless.
They must remain positive until everyone can truly enjoy these recycled photos, adding their own color for both the country and personal success, as this shore seeks to choose an image of better days between a rock and a hard place.
Jamaica will rise and prosper, but who will be less tarnished, or who will bear a permanent stain, to navigate these ostentatious waters, roads, and hills?
-
Is there a me-too moment for racial, economic- equity, justice and reparation in the` Caribbean region?
BY. R.D. MILLER
The unexpected call:
Shortly after George Floyd, an African American killed during an encounter with members of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, police department; a global social consciousness rose with massive protest. They called for the universal reversal of laws and systematic practices that many deemed socially and economically ruined local communities of color for decades.
Protesters gather Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis The domino effect forced several businesses once benefited from slavery and the institutional discriminatory practices to confront their past. However, many argued that some gestures were not enough as it appears some banks and insurance companies across continents where slavery generated enormous wealth now setting the agenda regarding implementation of any reforms, apology or compensation.
The global reckoning on race relations and discriminatory business practices has caused some noted changes despite previous resistance. Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben’s Rice, and Mrs. Butterworth’s brand changed its logo from 130 years that many argued were racial stereotypes of blacks. Other companies have been taking steps to address hiring practices even more diverse advertising that featured people of color.
Will that be enough remains an open question.
Today’s global racial equity call is not like recent women’s me-too movements when several ladies came forward and spoke up about their experience of inappropriate widespread sexual advances, harassment, and rape by powerful men that have gone un-noticed for decades.
The leadership equation for racial and socioeconomic equity along these shores
Though the Caribbean islands often take a hint from the international media and struck courage. However, the Caribbean me-too for equality, and an economic package to build a better future from its dark past, is more complex.
Furthermore, with reported millions of dollars in debt owes to foreign investors, it is almost like one is in playing in a football game down 3-4 touchdowns, and two minutes before the game ends, and the opponent has the ball.
Can they all afford to protest earnestly for fundamental as for a change in the street; and how do you bite off the nervous hands that are merely sustaining you? But the lack of a massive protest along these shores, as seen elsewhere; does not mean that there is not one brewing especially among the younger generation.
Sure, it is a noble feeling to eradicate 400-years of the colonial chain, laws, and mental debris for equality and equity that has been hitting many disadvantaged communities like a destructive hurricane recklessly causing administrative, economic, and social barriers to upward mobility. This sea change will take more than tweets, likes on social media, or political position, or silence.
The Caribbean tragic colonial history cannot be eradicated with a rope, stones, or fire as seen elsewhere pulling down historic generals or former slave owners statues; or call for the official resignation of local managers who typically operate businesses in the region once benefited from these ships with tweets, anger, and photo-ups for quick sound bites.
Decades of economic and social disadvantage despite few educational and economic transformations, as it sits now, need a new blueprint to reverse not only what was on paper, but to reverse the mental anguish of colonial practices that have caused communities to be stuck at sea without an anchor.
Sadly, it is an uphill battle as some leaders cannot even decide if or where to hold a protest, whom, or policy, structure’ leaders should move or steer this reparation vessel for critical change.
Change can be difficult, but moving forward requires a holistic approach from the youths, churches, community and elected leaders, political alliances through collaborative voices. Who arranges a seat at the head table with the biggest notepad along these shores remains a challenge. Many reports have shown there are wide-spread skepticism and distrust of local elected leaders in several communities as to who will benefit from any mee-too approach
One of the challenges, not all on a similar path, but they are looking dock. Barbados, where scholars noted that colonial powers first docked in the region with the blueprint may have an alternative approach from Jamaica, Haiti still looking for an economic anchor to move several people out of poverty may have a different approach.
Another example, Trinidad and Tobago, where many Indians descendants were also enslaved on sugar, cane plantations during slavery. However, today some see themselves as a prominent part of the privileged class and may embrace a different approach to reparation. Antigua and other islands are still under colonial rule and benefiting directly from the shade of the Commonwealth structure.
A Troubled History:
Despite one mission from the Transatlantic slave trade as many philosophers have recognized, in which they transported between 10 million and 12 million enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas from the 16th to the 19th century.
Many who share the umbilical cord have a different approach, deep philosophic difference, while some rather remain silent woven in a social class system despite being descendants of slaves while others continue suffering from the lingering legacy of slavery racial inequities. As a result, it seems today, on many of these shores, they invite more discussions than policies.
Based on historians; the Caribbean islands fell under the ruling of a European nation; British, Dutch, and French. Denmark, Portugal, and Sweden also occupied territories in the Caribbean. And since innocent people of color did not have a personal reservation, they established rigid rules and penal laws that transcend into systematic institutional racial discrimination today.
History has informed us, between 1788 and 1838 workhouses in Jamaica, one of the most significant British West Indian colony marginalized its population, and that affected local industries, like finance and manufacturing to progress. Today, many dark-skinned people experience steeper mobility subsequently carries forward even in more migration elsewhere across these shores for better opportunities.
The Caribbean may have passed its hostility tone since those cultural prohibitions of black settlement in some areas to interracial sex, part of the racial discrimination known as the “color bar” that has severely constrained its unique culture and economic growth, but it until now reverberates globally today. It may give that melting pot atmosphere, but it is, however, segregated by class, and yes, the complexity that many darker skin people still struggle from that horrific past.
A delicate dance for equity:
Colonial occupation has established a legacy where only a new economical reconciliation path for all that will establish an economic foundation to left people out of poverty. Some argued, perhaps eliminating several debts, financial compensation, but I believe a mental rehabilitation from slavery has to be balanced across these coastlines to reduce decades of a psychological drain.
Many reports have shown that many of today’s buildings, imported goods, and service contracts, ports, and manufacturing own by foreign investors on the shores, which will sit at the reparation table, therefore; me-too may not represent the downtrodden. Subsequently, where does the Caribbean start for social and economic justice for Afro-Caribbean and ethnic minorities who have been marginalized for decades?
Me-too on many fronts absolutely is not about resettlement, re-distribution of land to the poor owned by elected officials, or the top one percent of the rich, removal of colonial images from a local church window, lower interest rates on predatory loans, a new police station to cut violent crimes, and reported corruption or political alliance that only create a stalemate.
The mental complexity
If the Caribbean solution is to its decades of poverty, inequality, and other barriers, “reparation” or a unilateral economic package permanently building the education system, job opportunities, adequate healthcare, better salary for public servants, modern infrastructure, or manufacturing will represent an excellent approach.
However, openly talking about reparations for the descendants of enslaved people, remain open debate on philosophical grounds like the ocean as to where, who, when any economic wave will approach its shores.
This reconciliation debate is more than a dollar value, social and economic equity, nor can it be the voice of the privileged class, but an economic widespread policy that addresses institutionalized practices that have created a wide gap between the have vs the have-nots.
Today, many wealthy islanders who have successfully attained academic opportunity, business success and can promptly compensate their way into that privileged class often still harbor the colonial bourgeoisie consciousness mentality and a strong grip maintaining stratification, them vs us. Often there is minimization in areas of poverty, crime, poor education, healthcare structural impediments as it appears these poverty-stricken community are at fault.
Conveniently some will yield their financial power to maintain their status> One former diplomat said, “many locals are more foreign minded that the foreigner.” This mentality will stymie any me-too moment for equality.
What is good from the colonial doctrine if it does not eliminate the paralyzing debt, promote manufacturing, improve schools that play a key part in economic prosperity? Many island nations have contributed to the economic power of their once colonial rules, and the economic success they enjoy today.
The hidden rough tide:
Though these islands remain a place to forget your overdue bills and any other issues temporarily; where the smile continues to be broad, linked by the slave ship. The region’s shorelines forever roar with a dark cloud after Europeans decided they wanted to establish their economy and Africa represent the place they went and eagerly snatched people of color, filled several ships without reservation.
An economic collaborative even the ability to travel to other islands for accurate diagnosis and critical medical care rather than waiting eagerly for weeks for urgent surgery or test results will safeguard many lives, and access to good and affordable healthcare represents new me-too respiration. But social disadvantage remains difficult to detect with the naked eye like bigotry seen elsewhere because many bears a resemblance to you does not make it a steady path.
A notable example: Since the COVID-19 pandemic washed onto these shores, it exposed the already poor healthcare system, the ever-widen gap between the haves vs the have-nots, access to decent healthcare, and the major disparities. And if provided local reports that highlight ongoing corruption, mismanagement of COVID-19 funds received, and a system where not everyone can agree on if it is going to rain, or what party is less corrupted in leading these islands; it generates more questions about how to manage any potential reparation or me too question..
This pandemic has affected tourism one of the vital economic and significant industries in the various Caribbean islands. Today, despite measures balancing the economics and safety, It further shows a lack of collaboration as these island stances regarding which one secures a firmer grip on the pandemic for the next terrorist dollar.
This COVID-19 pandemic may leave the shore one day. Those impacted numbers can be disguised as to which leaders telling the truth on the figure of infected individuals, fatality, and the exact cause of death or delivered it there.
What is clear, the internal political struggle goes on, and hidden division between many of these islands that should be working together more than it seems to reverse this decade of ongoing strain from the colonial slavery virus.
The enduring mental impact:
Slavery divided the region into different plantations that established a protectionist and competitive system, subconsciously or not. Today islanders are not from the sugar canes and coffee fields and are free to travel between islands, but some continue to identify others as you over there, and if some could erect a wall, they would.
Recently the Jamaican Supreme Court ruled a student could not attend classes if she didn’t cut her dreadlocks and the school did not infringe on the child’s constitutional rights. This ruling confirms that Rastafarians typically remain a social outcast based on an old colonial ideal, and this culture should only be practiced behind closed doors.
Slavery is no longer on paper, the casting of a new fishing net to have a balance dance is still delicate; especially if the judiciary system has holes in basic democracy and cultural tolerance for all? To such a degree, these communities must step back and rigorously evaluate that, “Out of Many One People,” and any other motto after colonial rule.
Undoubtedly, the Caribbean continues to search for its socio-economic soul, and if one’s hair is no longer acceptable in the local school, what next, Rasta solitary bathroom, dining area, etc. The styling of one’s culture may explain the abundance of bleaching cream being bought in the region for acceptance by many, as the colonial mentality still lingers.
Bob Marley: From R.D. Library It is like a recent report surrounding a British insignia, a medal worn by the heads of state, the governor-general of Jamaica that depicted an individual on the neck of a black person. Though dehumanizing, how can you achieve a balance if laws bear similar weight on their people?
The Order of St. Michael and St. George And if the region conveniently overlooks this pivotal moment for upward mobility despite other systematic socioeconomic disparities, and without the right leadership, I am genuinely terrified they all are naturally wearing the official insignia, and me-too and any other push for economic prosperity represent just a thought.
-
The elephant is still in the room: Women leaders in the Caribbean and the silent struggle`
BY RD Miller
The hazy mirror that revealed the past:
In the Caribbean and other impoverished and emerging countries, the glass ceiling may have shattered, but it remains intact.
This is a watershed moment in which political groups are discussing who is best positioned to lead them out of violent crime, endemic poverty, and a new path toward a brighter future.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon Although these local political communities are frequently dominated by men, women have made significant contributions to their advancement, whether as educators, nurses, police officers, or wives who keep the family together.
Despite the fact that many great female leaders have emerged from our various societies, there is still a significant gap between gender equality and political advancement.
Leta Hong Fincher of CNN recently reported that a “United Nations and Inter-Parliamentary Union report highlighted that 10 of 152 elected heads of state were women, and men made up 75 percent of parliamentarians, 73 percent of managerial decision-makers, and 76 percent of people in mainstream news media.” Fincher said.
Perhaps it is not their talents or dedication to public service that has been questioned, but rather their “being a woman.”
This is not, however, an opinion on feminist movements.
There are many barriers that still exist in our society, and while I am not qualified to speak on them, many have been documented and may continue to play a role today.
However, I have selected a few cases near my home and presented my case.
Photo by Emre Can Acer They were too tough, had strong opinions, had an attitude, and were unable to connect with changing demographics; they were disconnected from the working class.
Sadly, it seems on some of these shores, today, the selection of our modern-day female leaders resembles a “beauty pageant,” with their physical appearance taking precedence over their abilities or economic policies.
For example, I recently read about Lisa Hanna, a former World 1993 contestant and Jamaican Member of Parliament whose personal beauty overshadows her ideas.
I will address the elephant in the room later, which may have made upward mobility more difficult, and it is not an attack on any individual, but a mentality that may need to be adjusted to have a balance in our society.
However, there was little discussion of hidden sexism, misogynist views, low voter turnout, and parliamentary control in which some representatives appeared to be unaware of or respect their power to implement policies that would move these nations forward.
The room’s unspoken elephant:
According to political pundits, opposition leader Dr. Phillip was one of Jamaica’s finest legislators, and his experience benefited the country greatly.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko However, because demographics have shifted to a younger demographic, some likely voters may believe it is time to hand over power.
Can he or others, on the other hand, instantly remove the barriers that women frequently face in politics, barriers that have been woven by a decade of a stained mirror woven by an old colonial and slavery mentality that only a few people can overcome?
Most importantly, can he use his abilities and skills to capture the imagination of young voters and persuade them to change course or continue to steer this political ship into an iceberg?
To illustrate what I consider to be an elephant not only in Jamaica but across the globe. Based on local reports, and again, this can be viewed along the party line.
In the eyes of many Jamaicans, Lisa Hanna has a better chance of delivering a clear decision concerning the country’s future than any other candidate, regardless of party affiliation.
Does she or any other comrade have the power to force the resignation of the Honorable Dr. Phillips?
With regard to guard changesFor her to be the covenant leader, a less than enthusiastic male leader must step down from their chair.
Will she take the helm of Dr. Peter Phillips’ National People’s Party (PNP) as Leader of the Opposition?
Hon. Lisa Hanna: Member of Parliament-Jamaica Will the power-holder, the Honorable Dr. Phillips, give up his position to her or another comrade after decades in office when it comes to changing guards has been the center of debates.
It looks like if this ship sinks, the current leadership is taking, if not everyone, at least a majority of the people on board.
Without a doubt, legislative elections should be centered on the next generation, with rigorous debates that properly align voters’ legitimate concerns and interests with their economic future.
The gradual rise of populism in the Caribbean, particularly in the Caribbean today, is never successful. It almost always results in obvious personal financial gains for many elected officials.
Again, this is not an opinion about Lisa’s ascension, descent, or obstacles; I conclude her account because it elucidates some fundamental issues surrounding women and governance.
A succinct summary of notable accomplishments from the archives:
The Hon. Eugenia Charles: Prime minister of Dominica, July 21, 1980, – June 14, 1995,
The Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller: Prime minister of Jamaica; March 2006 – September 2007 and again January 2012 – March 2016
The Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar Prime Minister: Trinidad and Tobago, May 2010 – September 2015.
Increasing numbers of women have emerged from the shadows in recent decades and sought positions of greater responsibility, but many have failed.
As a result of these holes in the ceiling, it has not been possible for anybody else to pass-through
Eugenia Charles was the first female prime minister of Dominica and the first female lawyer in the Caribbean. Since the death on July 21, 1980–until June 14, 1995, there has been no other death in Dominica.
Except for the late Eugenia Charles, Portia Simpson, and Kamla Persad all lost re-election bids. It resulted in more critical examinations of how they lost rather than their political achievements.
It’s clear from a few old accounts that even as the leaders of their countries, Portia Simpson-Miller and Kamla Persad weren’t immune to the idiocy and savagery of the press.
However, my focus is not on what should have been done, but rather on how these countries should proceed going forward.
As a side note, other women have served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles, which include Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, and Bonaire, and are known as Dutch Caribbean colonies.
According to scholars, the elected parliament wields political power, and the government is appointed based on the composition of the legislature. That political system, on the other hand, is a little more complex.
A ray of light
Given the good of today’s issues, as I’ve outlined above, more women on these coastlines and other places, impoverished, industrialized, and developing, could make a significant difference, but the numbers are still troubling.
Photo by Julia Volk There are other women all over the world who are inspiring others, breaking down barriers, and forging their own paths, particularly in poor and developing countries.
However, I only wanted to highlight a few for this opinion I believe are generally underestimated in terms of what they’ve accomplished, the challenges they’ve faced, and the work that still needs to be done to attain that balance.
Hope exists, but it will take more than just Prime Minister Mottley to bring it about.
Instead of waiting until the season is over to rebuild, the team must always have a group of reserves on hand to help develop the next generation of players.Prime Minister Mottley is widely recognized as one of the region’s most brilliant independent thinkers, having previously been elected as the political opposition’s leader prior to his unexpected triumph in 2018.
The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley: Prime Minister of Barbados She recently pushed for stronger moral leadership and critical collaboration to enhance health systems across the area, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is a breath of fresh air for the region, not only because of her charismatic leadership but also because she is a visionary who understands what it takes to lead in the twenty-first century.
Aside from that, she doesn’t accompany her caretaker since she wants to befriend the community that’s been following her. Reports say she put the interests of her country ahead of personal gain, mismanagement, and corruption.
While not all women agree on the same metrics, political approaches, or experience-based values, the drive for socioeconomic equality, upward mobility, and gender equity persists, as numerous scholars have emphasized.
A delicate balancing act
I’m not an expert on women’s politics, but despite the fact that more women are running for office in the region, it appears that the men in charge are still in charge.
A sizable contingent of supporters or women at the table does not always result in legislative victories.
Economic policy-making in the region sometimes resembles learning the ropes at a local mechanic’s shop. Only when a supervisor has no choice or can no longer lead, then they spread the opportunity to show off the staff skills.
Clinging to power, on the other hand, breeds division, disconnect, and a stalemate of new ideas for advancement, paving the way for the next generation of female leaders.
There will need to be a strategy to minimize organized crime and attract new investments that benefit everyone in order to reduce the gap between the wealthy and the poor in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, stagnating economic conditions, and high levels of employment.
Of course, some will push back to appear to be aware of these issues, and even a day at church before an election, which I understand; they’re all politicians, and I’m not in the room, but after the sermons for change, it seems to be the same scriptures.
If the regional legislative system requires future female leaders to win the approval of the system’s men in order to ascend to the top, this is problematic.
Will the elephants leave the room so that other well-qualified female leaders can become the party’s commander in order to be elected as the next Prime Minister?
The revolving door of leadership:
Every election cycle appears to have the same guards and a similar platform for economic prosperity on many fronts, jobs, education, and access to good and affordable healthcare regardless of party affiliation, particularly in poor and developing countries plagued by crime and economic stagnation?
While it comes to being a good leader, it’s all about being able to maintain a stable environment and recognizing that, as a passenger, you may benefit from the years of road experience you’ve gained rather than trying to drive when you’re distracted by personal requirements.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov Perhaps term limits should be considered, and communities throughout the region should ask themselves: do they feel safer, better off, regardless of party affiliation?
Every vote has consequences, but losing an election does not mean that women’s advancement in the Caribbean is over.
More women in politics are needed, especially for adolescent girls who need a role model, better education, job opportunities, health, and security.
There are many people who believe in “democracy,” but it is an oligarchy that selects who they believe their community will recognize based on an emotional connection between themselves and their elected leaders.
This allows the elected leaders to gain more control over their personal power while pretending to be working for the community at all times.
According to the current political climate, this isn’t an excessively harsh criticism.
Many political leaders utilize appointed jobs as a way to show their commitment to diversity.It’s possible to intentionally exploit even at the highest levels, with political titles, because they only hear her voice after the meeting
While sending Mother’s Day tweets to your constituents is a nice gesture, a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at lifting these young women out of poverty, victim rights, and or even diversion out of the criminal justice system would be far more beneficial.
Giving out a few shopping bags to the impoverished is always a good thing, but when it comes with a camera and a 30-second film to tweet, it’s approaching exploitation.
At least for the time being, this is an effective means of getting out the vote and getting a head start on the next election cycle, but its long-term viability remains an open question.
If access to important career paths remains stagnant, which is especially important for young women, many elections will have no effect on the importance of women’s issues.
Taking a stand in the face of reality.
To be more than a statistic, more women must unite around similar threads, regardless of political allegiance, to show that politics and action can be the difference between success and failure for students.
Photo by PICHA Stock Because many of the women in the region’s official titles are “former,” this is not the time to embark on an apology tour, because it cannot become a safe haven.
It’s been proven in numerous studies that men are notoriously bad at apologizing for their mistakes.
To overcome these barriers, leaders must coach and encourage the next generation to lead. Young people in the region must believe that they have the potential to become the region’s leaders.
Approximately half of women in the workforce today have an undergraduate degree, matching the number of men with a college education according to Pew’s analysis and academic research.
Graduation Sadly, despite these academic achievements, there are still barriers to developing leaders and business owners who can serve as role models for the next generation of leaders and owners.
They must view the obstacles or chronic challenges that women confront as an integral part of them, rather than as women working in distinct areas of the house to change the hurdles, especially in impoverished communities.
The next generation of leaders in the region must know that there is still hope for them.
This is not a last-ditch appeal for males to resign from positions of authority. And just because you cannot see the elephant or he is unsightly does not imply he is not present.
I don’t have a ballot and I’m not voting for anyone. A female candidate should not lose an election just because she is female or because she is competing against a male candidate; similarly, a male candidate should not lose an election simply because he is running against a female candidate.
Given the complexity of the global economy, a candidate’s intellectual and physical capacity to lead a country in distress is a fair issue; yet, given the current situation, I believe she must have a fair shot to if she is equipped.
-
To reduce serious criminality, a COVID-19 strategy is needed in some Caribbean `islands.`
BY R.D. Miller
Balance while addressing the other public health crisis
COVID-19 has exacerbated the global economic downturn by causing job losses, business closures, and disruptions to many educational systems. This has resulted in a wider gap between the haves and the have-nots.
When it came to the shores of the Caribbean Islands, it also highlighted structural discrepancies in many medical systems’ readiness and access to cheap healthcare, as well as in other poor and developing countries.
Given the magnitude of the economic damage, experts believe that many nations will face a difficult recovery in the coming months, if not years.
Furthermore, the overall strength of many economies will necessitate more than a mask, particularly in impoverished and developing countries where the tourist industry is vital to the local economy and accounts for a significant portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
It exhibited the same waves of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety as other locations, and because no one is immune, compliance will be up to the residents until a vaccine is discovered.
Whoever looks at it can determine what is true.
Additional difficulties, according to local accounts, were a lack of planning for economic loss, accountability, manipulation of monies allocated, corruption, and a lack of sufficient bed space and other resources to deal with the pandemic.
Pay-as-you-go healthcare was already beset by problems that appeared to have outgrown the system’s aging population. COVID-19 has also highlighted the delicate balance that exists between public and private treatment in terms of whether patients have a better chance of surviving.
Effective pandemic management is vital, no matter what the disputes are.
This is not an indictment of the system, but decades of failed socioeconomic policies cannot be washed away or deflected, nor can they produce a single party capable of resolving these challenges, as some assume.
However, it has exacerbated tensions between local businesses, tourists, curfews and public safety, and the long-term economic viability of the country.
A wide range of issues, including the safety and well-being of front-line workers, research into the best method for restricting transmission, and the economic impact, were also brought to light by the outbreak.
Whatever the debates, effective pandemic management is critical despite the reported tensions and a delicate balance between local business operations, job losses, tourism, curfew, public safety, and long-term economic sustainability.
The good news is that there are a lot of dedicated healthcare professionals working in these difficult conditions, and their methods seem to have made a big difference in the virus’s early stages.
Photo by Laura James on People who worked hard to fight this deadly disease behind the Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] and away from the cameras and press conferences were and still are the doctors and nurses who did their best to keep it from spreading any faster than it already has.
To move forward, epidemiologists and the local communities must figure out how deadly the coronavirus will be, how many people are sick, and the exact number of deaths that have been documented.
The delicate political maneuvering
The pandemic has also provided a platform and built the foundation for a future presidential contest. Two rival parties were blamed for the country’s troubles.
With the outbreak and its handling, there was an additional layer of separation between the two groups of people who were already at odds,
Experts have noticed for decades that social upward mobility has been a major structural challenge, regardless of which party is in power. Even my grandmother’s recollections helped shed light on a couple of the main causes, which I’ll go into more detail about in a moment.
However, it may take more than a few vaccines for the region to recover and enjoy this beautiful environment, from the other issues also not just for the well-connected and wealthy but also for those who are frequently left behind.
The COVID-19 pandemic is being accompanied by a second hidden epidemic.
For the sake of gaining a larger perspective, I approached this essay or statement of view like an academic term paper.
Recent years have seen an upsurge in several shootings, robberies, theft, assaults, and killings, as well as gang activities. Violence is a public health issue, and it has been known for years. According to local reports, leaders should follow the same rules to bring these criminal strains under control.
Photo by kat wilcox This, too, necessitates a national daily conference, such as COVID-19 strategies, because it may have claimed more lives than COVID in the same period.
While COVID-19 has compelled numerous people to stay at home, many residents in gated communities were already mentally confined before the epidemic, with steel bars put on some properties serving as a constant reminder of security concerns.
As some leaders have argued, these issues may have an external influence, such as drug trafficking and the importation of illegal firearms, which may have an impact on the situation.
Crime, on the other hand, usually requires a lot more cooperation from different groups to stop criminal businesses. What are some of the internal motivators?
Some members of the community believe that the city is not doing enough to protect them from becoming victims of this criminal virus.
Photo by Faruk Tokluou011flu While local law enforcement has been unable to attribute the surge in violence to COVID-19 or any other external factor, the outbreak has the potential to reach pandemic proportions.
Trying to avoid stigmatizing people with mental health disorders and homelessness, especially in countries where the subject has a history of being ridiculed, taunted, and consigned to the margins of the public eye.
Another question is, given the epidemic, how many facilities could have dealt with any potential problem? However, I’ll come back to this topic eventually.
Foreign travel restrictions can help prevent a pandemic, but a country also needs to vaccinate dangerous areas where crime has persisted.
Local residents may recognize that the Coronavirus and the recent increase in crime rates pose a threat to the economy. But who is to blame for economic downturns brought on by the pandemic or the increase in crime rate, the virus, or the leaders?
Many of these communities will likely continue searching for solutions for many years to come.
Despite the reality that violence is pervasive not just in these places, some regional media outlets compare and minimize it regularly, which is not a solution.
Moral equivalence is conveyed, which conflicts with local crime figures and other socio-economic difficulties.
When it comes to horrifying crimes, many have said that COVID-19 techniques have been adequate, but do they often identify the criminals who commit them?
The evidence is clear on the true cause of death.
According to experts, crime in Latin America and the Caribbean costs an average of 3% of GDP, amounting to more than US$350 billion in enforcement, investigations, security spending, disinvestment, and other areas, and it has been increasing for decades.
Photo by cottonbro According to experts, roughly 40% of the Caribbean population views crime and security issues as more serious than poverty or inequality in their respective countries.
There were 306 homicides in Jamaica between January 1 and March 31 of this year, according to police records. If the current weekly murder rate holds, Jamaica could see over 1,200 killings by the end of this year.
Unfortunately, the region will have the dubious distinction of having the highest murder rate per 100,000 local residents, which is something no civilized nation can be proud of.
Between January and February 2020, over 73 murders were reported in Trinidad and Tobago. If current trends continue, the 536 murders recorded in 2019 will be the second-highest in Trinidad’s history for a single year.
According to several crime analysis reports, the death rate has increased from an average of 31.5.8 per 100,000 people to more than 37.5 per 100,000 people.
A high number of cases per 100,000 people was also observed in English-speaking Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Belize, as well as Latin American countries such as Honduras and Venezuela, according to experts.
These rates are 15 to 30 times as high as those in the majority of European nations.
Bermuda, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, and other countries in the region, on the other hand, maintain lower rates. Naturally, they are smaller in population, and some retain colonial authority with well-managed administrations.
Bermuda had its first murder in two years, with five occurring in 2018 and none occurring in 2019.
Despite claims of drug and firearm smuggling, organized crime, and criminal gangs, these islands have a far better grasp on crime.
A tightrope walker
Local law enforcement personnel who are required to wear numerous hats daily; crucial mediators, advisors, diversity coordinators, youth advocates; group leaders, psychologists, and community volunteers are all caught in the crossfire of politics.
Today’s officers face a challenging duty. They must serve in politically connected neighborhoods. They frequently encounter danger and hostility.
The animosity between law enforcement and the problems they face today has its roots in colonial control, but many of the conflicts they face are self-inflicted.
Officers have a significant role in preventing violence and other civil issues in these communities, as demonstrated by the discovery of a COVID-19 vaccination.
As a result of trying to replace years of experience that have departed the police, they are probably overworked and understaffed.
Today, it seems they are overburdened, outgunned, and appear to lack the resources necessary to reduce violence while reconciling community perceptions with reality.
Additionally, underpaid, and in some circumstances, the community casts doubt on some currently serving obligations or willingness to defend and serve the community for many years to come.
Sadly, many organized criminals who may be suffering from mental illness, some frustrated with their personal growth, or feel like they are untouchable because of their political connections won’t hesitate to scare people and take off their masks to make them afraid.
There are a lot of people who think that these criminals, like the COVID-19 virus, are not bound by society’s laws and rules. This makes them more dangerous to everyone who comes their way.
A lot of these criminals are trying to destabilize local communities by taking advantage of this time of unease, anxiety, uncertainty, and stress that isn’t seen in a long time.
Unfortunately, some members of the same violent communities will defend those accused of heinous crimes, disguise themselves, or refuse to provide valuable information to assist local law enforcement in being more effective.
If these towns do not respond to continuing investigations when they have important information and given the observed poor case closure rates, they risk attracting a swarm of serial killers or someone in need of rehabilitation on their streets.
You cannot continue to blame law enforcement for withholding information that might benefit the community and the country as a whole.
Along these beaches, the swaying anchor
Similar stores, like Haiti, are often neglected. In February 2020, the Armed Forces attacked the National Police Headquarters in Port-au-Prince, killing one soldier and injuring another.
Photo Credit-Globe Post The governing structure itself may be under threat by other Haitians who are simply waiting for an opportunity to strike.
More civil unrest is possible in 2020 because of a worsening economic and political crisis ten years after their horrific calamity, reports other publications.
If the country of Haiti collapses and ignites innocent people in its path because of political unrest and economic ruin, society should pray for the best and prepare for the worse.
People who live over there aren’t alone, but some of the postcard images sent from other places may not tell people where the real stories are.
If you think the Pandemic or the Crime should be prioritized, then you’re right. I’m just pointing out the difficulties.
Separate but equal judiciary roles:
Will an offender’s behavior alter if countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Balise, Haiti, and other Latin American countries reinstate the death penalty by hanging?
Hanging offenders, even though it is a degrading, brutal, and inhumane penalty, has been argued to dissuade those who have violated the peace of the nation.
Even though the death penalty has been abolished in a large number of nations for serious crimes, Amnesty International remains opposed to it.
As of today, it appears like the court needs to get more engaged. In their publication, The Role of Judges, the American Bar Association stated it best.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA “What exactly is a judge’s job description? What he or she doesn’t do may be the greatest place to begin.
When it comes to enforcement of the laws, I believe that the legislative body, public employees, and citizens as a whole need to work together to ensure public safety. A judge is not a law enforcement officer.
Even though it is true that no country can forecast criminal conduct for a variety of reasons, reactionary law enforcement is not a long-term solution.
A hefty penalty will not be sufficient punishment for leaders who fail to address the underlying causes of socioeconomic decline.
To effectively deal with it as a public health issue outside of the elected or elite bubble, the correctional system, legislation, and judicial system, as well as politicians, must speak out in one collective voice. They must stop pointing fingers and speak together.
Finding the root cause of a problem
A focus on the primary area where I believe criminal elements contribute to high recidivism rates and other safety problems is not a denigration of the system.
What are the socio-economic hurdles that, especially for many young people, make joining a gang, indulging in scamming, or targeting vulnerable people more attractive?
It’s not only about breaking the boundaries of social distance or curfew but rather, what’s the pathology behind the behavior?
Addressing issues such as neglect, re-victimization, school fights that might escalate, weapons accessibility, school dropouts, juvenile criminality, and substance abuse will take some time, realistically.
Photo by RODNAE Productions Leading experts warn that if these problems aren’t addressed immediately, they could spiral out of control.
A lack of parental direction, low self-esteem, sadness, rage, and other symptoms of social and economic inequality are all red flags that need to be addressed if they are to address these problems.
Although they may have the best of intentions in some interventions, it appears that many residents engage in “selective wrath” before moving on to the next hot topic.
It is time to move the focus of crime-fighting measures away from how government institutions such as law enforcement and the courts operate in these close-knit communities.
While these disputes boil with each shifting of the guard in the people’s house, atrocities continue unabated. From the pulpit to the classroom to counselors, teachers, music icons, sports stars, babies, or grandma, it appears as though no one or nothing is secure today.
Closing a single door allows for simple access to mayhem.
Regrettably, tales of guns discovered in barrels and containers intended to import food and other supplies suggest that the government is preparing for civil war or that criminal gangs are wreaking havoc on an already criminal economy.
Social media increasingly displays more potent weapons previously only seen in war battles. Additionally, how many barrels of weapons or illegal drugs have been discovered in these ports?
Perhaps it is time to undertake a more thorough background check on individuals in these crucial public service roles, as they also contribute significantly to the nation’s safety and security.
However, the growing disparity between rich and poor that has existed for decades must be addressed, and collaboration between social development and law enforcement is essential.
Numerous analysts have warned that these developments suggest that you may be in or near a failed state.
Additionally, whether arming company owners or expanding citizen access to firearms is a solution that could end in vigilante justice. Some may become targets for their legal firearms, while others may lack the training necessary to wield a weapon, resulting in a few of these new offenses.
There is evidence of the succession of violence on these islands, indicating that it is not all doom and gloom, but it does demand a rational plan.
The criminogenic risk and needs:
Though many have stated that COVID-19 measures have been adequate, horrendous crimes require more than “we’re tough on crime,” but do these strategies frequently identify these criminals?
The character of a crime appears to be gaining greater attention in these community conversations, while the source of criminality appears to be dwindling.
Numerous disadvantaged and emerging countries need re-entry programs. According to specialists, many people are now living alone at home with little or no support, are unemployed, or have a history of mental health difficulties.
Photo by Chris John These horrible headlines will not go away, needing a multidimensional strategy that examines growing societal disadvantages and the plight of many disadvantaged youngsters.
Regrettably, their economy and lack of proper assistance undermine their prospects for a bright future.
Numerous individuals may have been unaware of criminogenic risk factors such as anti-social cognition. They frequently demonstrate risk factors such as antisocial conduct and personality characteristics.
They are irritable, lack appropriate education and employment skills or training, are jobless, and struggle with illegal substance usage and mental health difficulties. Regrettably, many are also victims of crime in need of counseling.
People have expressed unhappiness with their leaders in the face of expectations only to find themselves in the same predicament following each election cycle.
There has also been an increase in domestic violence and other community conflicts, which may or may not be related to gang turf battles, while the economic and psychological effects of COVID-19 are being assessed.
Unresolved conflicts often degenerate into physical violence and homicide as a result of a lack of available resources. Weapons, on the other hand, appear to have overtaken talk as a method of resolving small disputes in the modern era.
It’s not merely a place to sleep and be confined.
The use of prison to reduce crime does not always yield the desired results. Many incarcerated offenders face stigma, inhumane treatment, and a lack of resources after reintegration.
Studies show that recidivism is minimal in institutions and programs that focus on rehabilitating ex-offenders, and career criminals for reintegration into society.
institutions I’ve visited and talked about community risk reduction with. They have a great re-entry program in a brand new facility that is very offender rehabilitation focus.
Mental health assessment and treatment, substance addiction therapy, psychosexual evaluation, vocational training, and increasing investment in social workers are all critical components. “
This intervention in criminal behavior and community reintegration will result in a fundamental shift in addressing the root causes of the problem.
Many troubled people have limited adaptive abilities and are quick to commit crimes against anyone, including family members, in any conflict, using vigilante justice.
The use of a blanket classification for all convicted offenders, whether inside or outside the prison walls, contributes to feelings of isolation and tension.
Another example is that many deported people frequently lack the resources they need to reintegrate, and yes, some are misclassified and blamed for a crime even when they are innocent to divert attention.
Combating crime is more than just a political issue, despite its difficulty. To eliminate these pockets of criminals and restore public trust, all hands must be on deck.
The threat to public safety necessitates a multifaceted response. Counseling and social assistance, as well as cooperation from law enforcement and artists who many of these individuals trust and follow their music, are all part of this effort.
Is defining silence and selective empathy a viable solution?
Many critical points have been emphasized throughout this text to aid in the resolution of these issues. I don’t have all the answers, and I have no financial or political ties.
In neighborhoods where crime and other economic challenges are being ignored or where a swift and rigid implementation serves a public relations objective, any solution will certainly create more questions than answers.
I have not shied away from the realities of everyday life. Crime prevention, on the other hand, necessitates a firm but balanced approach, and political solutions are not always possible.
In most areas, each electoral cycle is like a revolving door. Economic inequalities, widespread poverty, and reported corruption that breeds despair pervade the country.
Leaders on both sides blame each other, causing critical crime-fighting and economic policies to stall. When does good governance enter the picture after an election?
While many victims seek justice, neither political party has called for the dismantling of criminal gangs in outlying parishes and counties.
The joint statements make it abundantly clear to these criminals that the country will not tolerate the chaos and mayhem.
Community and political leaders must work together to condemn these heinous ideas that target police officers to reduce robberies, murders, and kidnappings.
As the struggle for social intelligence intensifies,
They must accept reality, regardless of socioeconomic status, to eliminate these pockets of criminals and restore social trust.
Many will claim patriotism from their gated community, either locally or globally, while continuing to influence the political system to protect their profit margins while violence and systematic issues rage on.
The silent generation can no longer close their eyes and hope that the atrocities will stop. Fear and clinging to the polling booth appear to have devolved into a delicate balance in governance.
Some leaders appear to lack the courage and resolve to confront these criminals. They’re on a tightrope, pushing back to sell a delightful story while the systemic issues persist.
When a person dies as a result of a heinous crime, personal responsibility cannot be captured in a few tweets for likes, selective amnesia, and a false sense of empathy.
This creates the impression that politicians are the only astute people in those communities, manipulating headlines to downplay the reality on the ground.
When well-known media outlets criticize leaders for their mistakes, they are also attacked. The real victims, as I have said before, tend to get lost in the debates.
No matter your political affiliation, violent crime has hidden victims.
As leaders debate, the emotional, economic, and psychological effects of their actions will last for a long time. Unfortunately, more people will be hurt.
On March 26, 2020, for example, a 75-year-old grandmother broke down in tears as she followed the COVID-19 rule in the wake of the death of a 22-year-old man. Her unhappiness with the ongoing violence was reported by the Jamaican Gleaner.
Photo Credit: Jamaica Gleaner A quick media clip is regularly published in the name of empathy, but the victims in these areas receive little to no follow-up care.
Far too many stories have come out about people going about their daily lives and hardworking business owners who help the local economy. These criminals seem to think that their success puts them at risk.
Statistics demonstrate that the cycle of violence continues, and her tale is only one of many.
While local officials have caught a few offenders, the situation may worsen if they continue to walk the streets.
As I sat there attempting to make sense of it all, it occurred to me that if all of the apples on the tree are rotten, you may eventually have to look at the tree.
To eliminate the perception that a nation is being put on trial, society must return to caring for one another following each crisis.
Is there still a sense of pride on these islands?
Despite the cloudy skies, the economy will rebound and the people will stay resilient.
Photo by Julia Volk Highways and technology developments, as well as enhanced crime-fighting techniques, have all been mentioned as modernization and recovery initiatives. Long-term, certain government initiatives will be beneficial.
COVID-19 affects a large number of individuals, but if criminals continue to make people feel uncomfortable, they will never regain their sense of security.
Photo by Skylar Kang Our social and safety masks will fall off when society defeats this crime virus, such as COVOD-19 mitigation through vaccines or other safety measures. This means that all of our masks will fall off.
The gorgeous islands and other spots will be destroyed if the crooks win, so don’t give up!
See you soon!.. Stay safe
-
Could COVID-19 trigger a bigger ‘Brain Drain’ of Caribbean nurses?
BY. R.D. Miller
A delicate balance for economic security
This new potential wave of “Brain Drain” from COVID-19 is due to values medical experts contend are critical in keeping them on their local sand, not a lack of political gratitude, photo-ops, or alliance with one party.
Photo by cottonbro What will the job satisfaction rate of these facilities, healthcare systems, and nurses’ scorecards be after this unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis in the Caribbean and other impoverished and developing countries?
According to experts, it is an intrinsic value that protects one’s opportunity to grow within an organization, and an extrinsic value; pay and job security.
It appears that a few of these islands, as well as other regions, could benefit from updated Occupation Health and Safety laws. I believe that the lack of such regulation jeopardizes protection, ethics in medicine, and the integration of their relationships with their patients.
Despite the fact that healthcare is where most possibilities to migrate are, the brain drain along many of these beaches, especially where there is dysfunctional governance and many complaints of corruption and bad management, crosses several industries, not just healthcare.
COVID-19 discovered how unprepared even wealthy industrialized nations with world-class medical facilities were, let alone economically struggling islands. The stories echo from a lack of supplies, long hours, burnout, the emotional labor of witnessing people die, and feeling helpless when all of their professional training taught them how to keep people alive.
Photo by Laura James Sure, government policies provided some monetary relief, and supplies, aided financial markets, and stimulated economic activity as a result of business closures and unemployment, but experts cautioned that it may be too late to keep many of their professionals on the ground seeking a better workplace environment, better-paying jobs, and a better working environment, and security.
However, keeping nurses prepared is more important than a trillion-dollar stimulus package passed by governments around the world. Unfortunately, it will be unable to replace these professionals or the thousands of lives lost on the front lines; of frustration by these dedicated workers some of who also were infected with COVID-19 and become victims of inadequate medical systems.
The decision to stay, or return
Every year, hundreds of young people in the Caribbean obtain nursing degrees and critical medical assistant training. According to healthcare studies, between 21 and 33 percent of medical systems employ foreign-educated nurses, and this number is increasing year after year.
The role of a nurse is just as important as that of a good doctor, a police officer, a teacher, or a safe community. Their presence frequently enables families to return to work or take time off from spending the night on a hard chair waiting for a doctor’s response.
These first responders are not there to put politics to the test; they are the doctors’ eyes and ears, the ventilator power source, from preparing a clean bed to escorting a sick person, including those with mental health issues, while also providing comfort to families in times of need.
The workforce of a country is a critical factor in its ability to innovate and compete in a global economy. Maintaining a country’s long-term health and socioeconomic stability demonstrates its ability to produce leaders and action-oriented people with valuable skills. You can only do so if you provide incentives to keep your people on the ground.
According to studies, demand from countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as other nations affected by COVID-19, has increased. Highly sought-after working visas, which can lead to permanent residency, have become a one-way ticket out for many. If another pandemic occurs, these nurses will act as a stockpile of gowns, masks, and ventilators.
Many studies have shown that, despite some limits on immigration, lately due to politics, discrimination, and other ideology towards some immigrants, recruiters are aware that imported nurses have had a significant impact on many of these industrialized nations; health care systems, economic development, and social development are all waiting for the next group of new applicants.
Photo by Ono Kosuki Many organizations and support groups stand to benefit from assisting many of these young students in migrating from their home country with these critical skills.
Today, a new study of caregiving in hospitals is being conducted; the difficulties in balancing work and family responsibilities, as well as emotions during this pandemic.
After graduation flight back?
You may not realize how many students and professionals are studying abroad until there is a crisis, such as geopolitical turmoil or a pandemic, and then there are frequent reports of residents wanting to return home.
However, other vital areas to a nation’s economic stability and prosperity, such as urban planning, social workers, corrections, counselors, particularly substance abuse and mental health, technology, and sports medicine, are also important to have a robust healthy local economy.
I doubt many local government officials would report the number of students who returned after graduation to contribute in some of the poorer-run countries where there is still a significant gap between the haves and have-nots and high crime rates.
Many nurses will stay along these warm and beautiful shores to avoid the hard winters, but the region must also develop incentives for those who have left to study medicine in Germany, Cuba, the United States, and elsewhere to return.
Looking for a better deal to keep them home:
COVID-19’s initial landing on the Caribbean shores, as well as many parts of Africa and Latin America, most leaders have held off the potential high tide through awareness, keeping their death rate and infection numbers low to date, based on what has been reported but this remains an open question.
As experts have noted, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy’s promise of collaboration remains emblematic as the global hunt for talent continues. It appears to be a competition for equipment, and Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) with participants fighting like modern-day pirates as supply and demand became a political sport.
The Caribbean Cooperation in Healthcare will be critical in ensuring that not only CARICOM members, but particularly poor areas, receive adequate treatment beyond vaccination. Furthermore, the current medical system, which has outgrown its aging population, as well as the rising cost of healthcare, must be addressed.
Traveling to some islands, particularly rural areas, can take a long time to reach a medical facility, unlike better-managed islands with more access, but payment at the time of service will become more difficult for poor patients.
Haiti Protecting important medical professionals will no longer be about how robust or ineffective their systems are, how much bed space is available, or how many press conferences are held, but rather about ensuring that the medical system is held to a higher standard in order to reduce potential turnover and ensure the safety of these dedicated workers from infectious diseases.
Additionally, creating a structure that connects job enjoyment and organizational dedication to all parties involved, rather than just for profit.
The reality is driving more flights out:
Concerns about improved technology, supplies, and other equipment to save lives, including newborns, reverberated through these wards prior to COVID-19. Some facilities, according to the claim, endanger both nurses’ and patients’ lives by increasing their chance of contracting an infectious disease.
COVID-19 loopholes and facilities running like an experimental drug with little accountability, according to several healthcare professionals, while pundits praise leaders for their interest in making reforms despite systemic failings on multiple fronts.
Individuals who spoke out about COVID-19’s experience working under difficult and inhumane conditions appeared to be silenced shortly after. This reduces responsibility, makes people more prone to errors, reduces best practices, and increases risks.
Photo by RF._.studio on These nurses’ future departure is not due to poor leadership, gender equality, or nationality desertion. Few will admit the lack of a good education and there little few investments in research and development. Furthermore, several manufacturing companies have left town.
Unfortunately, the few success stories now face enormous student loans, safety concerns due to high crime, and claims of underpaying with an inadequate support structure to alleviate emotional scarring.
Today, some argued that veteran nurses are skipping vacations out of fear of losing their jobs, which could result in the current wage being reset after years of hard work.
Brain drain is not always about money, but also a better work-life balance (spouses, parents, children’s future), with the hopes of a well-prepared system and organizational management, job protection, and consistency.
They discussed how, while missing their own country, sometimes being in isolated locations, and having some difficulty adjusting to the culture, the benefits outweighed the negative aspects. Most of these packages now include their families, and they have the option to change their status from skilled worker visa to permanent residence after a specific period of time in these nations.
The complexity of care
According to healthcare professionals and academics, the aging population will raise the demand for both hospital and home-based care in the next decades, and nurses will become more important to meet those demands.
Photo by RF._.studio These countries will have to cover these vacancies, and the migrating talent will hinder the upward mobility of their medical systems. Many nurses, according to business research, make decent money. Furthermore, this is not a vocation that pays well, such as math, finance, science, or a career in petroleum.
They may need to build a system similar to Cuba’s, and while international travel is prohibited, Cuban doctors and nurses have helped with a variety of diseases and pandemics. Caregivers are becoming increasingly important around the world, regardless of their political system or who paid them for their services.
Poor and emerging countries, as well as several dominant Caribbean islands like Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana, Belize, Haiti, and other Latin American and African countries, whose long-term economic illnesses have debilitated major public medical institutions for decades, stand to lose a lot from the ongoing brain drain.
Although there are great doctors in private institutions in the region, there have been rumors that numerous practices have closed due to a lack of resources.
There are reports of little modernization throughout the region, but one cannot have faith in the system if some leaders appear to have a “pre-existing condition” that is a defensive and basic question asked about the number of people tested for COVID-19 muted, but stimulus checks are handed out are published, and dissenting views are seen as antagonistic.
Politics should not polarize or abuse caregivers’ experiences, whether they are imported or local. Their roles are vital and progress beyond stopping by a local store to pave a road a week before an election, handing out some money, and then selling a fake sense of community before the next election cycle must end.
Some of these Caribbean nurses may be seen on a bus or subway traveling to their next shift as they assess and test their next step; after all, a nation’s economic strength is determined by how healthy its society is.
One-TimeMonthlyYearlyMake a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
$2.00$3.00$5.00$5.00$15.00$100.00$5.00$15.00$100.00Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The impact of student loan debt on the Caribbean coastline`
BY R.D.
Is this a much-needed strategic announcement, or not?
According to reports, on February 8, 2020, Robert Nesta Morgan, parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office of Jamaica, announced that an incentive plan was in place or being developed to provide students with the opportunity to have their debts forgiven for public service work.
It is one of the best-imported policies to arrive on these shores in a long time.
Several countries around the world will occasionally introduce rules and regulations that are linked to another country. Some may not be appropriate for all cultural and traditional backgrounds.
Many developed countries share basic principles on how to approach similar problems that have been agreed upon. For example, consider the fight against drugs, crime, and environmental issues, or mitigating a health crisis such as a pandemic.
Although some copied policies worked as intended, other measures for moving a nation forward may not. It could be due to a lack of funds, technical skills, or other resources.
Furthermore, any government proposals that generate votes or increase community division across party lines may fail. However, this is not a comparative analysis point of view, but rather a much-needed attempt by the minister to provide students burdened with debt with a better future.
Potential impact
A previous opinion, “The Brain Drain of Caribbean Nurses,” raised concerns in the medical field about a lack of resources, patient safety, staff safety, job protection, wages, and leadership failure.
As a result, many experienced-well-trained nurses leave the region after receiving their nursing degree to work elsewhere, but overall student loan debt was a major motivator.
My phone rang a few times from friends I met while in the region, informing me that they had migrated with their families. “My wife works as a nurse,” he explained when I asked why he was on that side of town.
It’s far away, with only one major department store carrying everything; I miss home, but it will alleviate her financial burden.”
Theirs is one of many stories from the Caribbean region of people fleeing to Canada, England, the United States, and even other Caribbean islands.
This student loan proposal should be implemented beyond the party line and adopted by other impoverished and developing countries that do not currently offer this incentive. However, I will check back after the election is over to check on the status.
Many students on these shores will benefit from the elimination of loan burdens, which may alter their willingness to leave if an opportunity to migrate arises.
This trend depletes critical human capital that the country can use to maintain its standard of living.
However, it necessitates more than just likes on social media and genuine debate, accountability, affordability, and implementation with students at the decision table.
Perhaps it goes beyond politics.
Regardless of a political party, student loans enable many people to attend college, graduate, and obtain a degree, resulting in a more promising long-term future and overall economic stability for the country.
Though the proposal is a step in the right direction, it is unclear how it will be funded in the final details, which cannot be captured in a few tweets. However, as with other countries that participate in this program, there are requirements and commitments for individuals to be involved.
The expectation is that it will benefit everyone in the long run, rather than being used as a campaign talking point, as has been seen elsewhere, to generate votes on this platform.
Previous reports of free healthcare in the run-up to elections and other promises have surfaced, but it appears that many people are still waiting for bed space or free access to a much-needed medical screening.
The point is that many candidates for elected office will make promises, and in an attempt to demonstrate a different leadership style, some may over-promise and fail to deliver.
However, this is not about which part one should vote on, but about how this program may provide a solid foundation for upward mobility for students burdened by death and limited job prospects.
Because I have no political or financial interest in local politics, this goes beyond the social media outpourings, some of which appear to be more political for and against while interest rates on these debts remain high.
The reality of student loan debt
Evidence suggests that student debt jeopardizes the financial well-being of many households and the economy in the long run, not just in the Caribbean but in other countries as well.
This debt burden has also contributed to the wealth disparity between black and white people across the wealth distribution. According to other studies, roughly two out of every five households now have student debt, and the number is growing.
A person with approximately $45,000-53,000 in educational debt can result in a lifetime wealth loss of approximately $215,000.
According to academic experts, this has an impact on one’s retirement, long-term savings, and home equity.
In the United States, student debt has surpassed $1 trillion, and the delinquency rate has risen to more than 50%. According to these studies, the suicide rate in the United States has risen to its highest level in more than a decade.
I’m not sure if the majority of these suicides are entirely related, but others have noted a negative impact on people between the ages of 20 and 31.
Do some math before you apply.
Today, it appears that there are more financial advisors than clients, and having the right information is critical to making the best decisions for students.
I am not a financial advisor, but I have witnessed the impact of carrying a large student debt burden.
It can limit not only where you want to live, but also your overall outlook and flexibility to create wealth, as previously stated.
Understanding student loans, like financial literacy, is critical. It educates people on how to avoid predatory lending, unsolicited credit cards, and investment strategies.
Following up on re-payments to ensure they are forgiven on time, as other programs have been sued for denial after eligibility. But I’ll leave it to the local experts to raise awareness.
In the future, school officials should take responsibility and encourage students to take advantage of all available scholarships, grants, and aids before taking out loans, as well as career counseling to help them find work after graduation.
An understanding of the fine print can help you avoid problems in the future.
Household size, marital status, income levels, and employment status can all have an impact on these loans; thus, tailoring traditional loan repayments to this income base will be critical.
Students should understand how the symmetry between traditional banks and government loans will work, but for now, it is a significant step forward if created for the right reasons.
Furthermore, who will be eligible, what functions in government will be covered, and the government’s commitment regardless of which party is in power.
On many of these shores, your job security may be based on who is in power, even if you are not involved in decision-making and are simply a public servant.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, tweeted that she thinks this is a great idea worth exploring! 50% or 100%, 5 years or 10 years; Is the bi-national commission going to discuss police with forensic and cyber capabilities, critical care nurses, and teachers (especially STEM)? Or separately examined.”
I believe her conversation was extremely important, but it doesn’t change the fact that they use these loans for tuition, books and supplies, and ongoing expenses.
It is not one’s hope that this new loan forgiveness to one’s degree, but rather an incentive to attract and retain the best and brightest. It’s similar to a private corporation giving you a bonus stock option or a reward for your efforts.
This much-needed proposal, like the application, should not create additional social stratification in terms of which jobs are more important to consider.
Attracting and retaining the right workforce will be a win-win situation for the country’s economy. Civic service should be the common denominator.
Tyrone Brown, who ensures that your water is clean and that your trash is picked up on a daily basis, or Susie Brown, who processes your property tax on a daily basis, or Nadine, who went to school to study agriculture and is still paying off those loans.
Sadly, she became unemployed when her factory closed and shipped elsewhere, but she has always enjoyed cooking and now prepares your child’s lunch at primary school. They also do government work.
Your commitment is also essential.
Officials devised these loan incentives in order to compete with the private sector for the best and brightest. Your civil service career is unlikely to make you extremely wealthy, as these positions are frequently similar to being a law enforcement officer in a position of authority.
They must dedicate one who is physically and mentally fit, where pride and a sense of duty determine success or failure. It is a career that allows you to maintain a high standard of living while also providing a comfortable retirement package (hopefully).
Furthermore, before deciding on an academic institution to pursue your dream career, prospective students should have an open discussion with their families.
Photo by RODNAE Productions There are numerous stories in which retired parents are left to bear the burden of simply wanting to believe that their children have a chance at success, and one should not dismiss a good idea simply because one disagrees with the messenger’s ideology or party affiliation
For one thing, there has been a massive increase in government spending globally, but from the outside looking in, I hope this one is beyond Twitter and an incentive beyond votes because these students will benefit greatly long after many of these politicians have left their elected offices.
The only way to be certain is to hold them accountable, ask for evidence that their proposals have been implemented, and let them show you who the beneficiaries are while remaining focused on your career.
This is not the result of a single party’s victory or funding. This is a global issue, and you are not looking for a handout or to join a specific political party. It is simply some strings to hold up your boot while also giving back to your country or community, and in the end, everyone will benefit.
Best Wishes!
Photo by Joshua Mcknight -
The effect of students’ loan debt on the Caribbean shores
BY R.D. MILLER
The announcement
Several countries around the world sometimes introduce rules and regulations are linked to another nation. Some may not fit all backgrounds of various cultures and traditions. Many developed countries share basic principles on commonly agreed-upon approaches to similar problems. For instance, the fight against drugs, crime, and environmental issues..
Although some variation may not have worked as intended, a recent proposal on February 8, 2020, according to reports, Robert Nesta Morgan, parliamentary secretary in the office of the Jamaica prime minister, announced that an incentive plan was in place or being developed to provide students an opportunity to have their debts forgiven for public service work. It is one of the best imported policy seen in a while to arrive on these shores.
Potential impact
In a previous opinion “The Brain Drain of the Caribbean Nurses,” highlighted concerns in the medical field, surrounding lack of resources, patients’ lives, staff safety, job protection, wages, and failure by leaders. Consequently, many experienced-well-trained nurses abandon the region once they received their nursing degree to work elsewhere, but overall student loan debt was one of the major driving forces.
A few times my telephone rang from friends I have encountered while in the region, which informed me they have migrated with their family. And when I asked, “why that side of town?” the response, “my wife is working as a nurse. It is remote, one major department store that carries everything, I miss home, but it will relief her financial burden.”
Their story is one of many across the Caribbean region of residence leaving to Canada, England, the US, and even other Caribbean islands. This student loan proposal should be implemented and be adopted by other poverty-stricken and developing countries who may not at present provide this incentive.
Maybe it is beyond politics
Regardless of the political party, student loans support many people to attend college, graduate and attain a degree for a more promising long-term future and overall the nation’s economic stability.
Though the proposal marks a step in the right direction and; it is not clear on the last details how it will be funded, and that cannot be captured in a few tweets. But like other nations who take part in this program, there are requirements and commitment for individuals to be involved.
The expectation in the long-run is that it benefits all, and not an election talking point, seen elsewhere to generate votes-based on this platform. There were prior reports of free healthcare leading up to the past elections whereas it seems many are still waiting on bed space, and the result of the free test, but this program may provide a firm ground. After the announcement, social media responded in high numbers.
Many students on these shores will benefit from loan burdens and may change an appetite waiting to leave if an opportunity presents itself to migrate. However, it requires a genuine debate, accountability, and implementation beyond likes on social media.
Student loan debt burden reality
Evidence shows that student debt jeopardizes the financial wealth of many households and the economy in the long-run not only in the Caribbean, but in other countries.
This debt burden has also contributed to the Black-White wealth gap across the wealth distribution. Other studies have shown that about two in five households now owe student debts loans and that number is increasing.
A person with about $45,000-53,000 in educational debt can lead to a lifetime wealth loss of around $215,000. This also affects one’s retirement, long-term saving, and lower home equity according to academic experts.
Student debt has surpassed $1 trillion in the US and the delinquency rate increased to over 50 percent. These studies also showed the suicide rate in the United States rose to the highest levels in more than a decade. I do not know if most of these suicides are 100 percent related, but others noted the negative impact for individuals between ages 20 and 31.
Crunching the numbers before you apply
Understanding student loans is extremely important, like financial literacy. It informs individuals to avoid the predatory lending trap, unsolicited credit cards to investment strategies. Tracking re-payments to ensure forgiven on time as other programs elsewhere have been sued for denial after eligibility. But I will leave that to the local experts to continue more awareness.
Going forward school officials should be responsible and encourage students to maximize all options from scholarships, grants, and aids before taking out loans; and career counseling suitable to gain employment after graduation.
Understanding fine prints to reduce potentail problems
Household size, marital status, income levels, and work status can influence these loans; therefore, differentiating traditional loan repayments to this income base will drive that will be important. Students should recognize how the symmetry will work between traditional banks and government loans, but for now, it is a key step forward if created for the correct reason.
Example: Minister of foreign affairs and foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, twitted think this is a great idea worth exploring! 50 percent or 100 percent, 5 years or 10 years; Police with forensic and cyber capacities, Nurses critical care, Teachers (esp STEM)–is this something that would be part of the bi-national commission to discuss? Or examined separately.”
I believe her conversation was extremely significant and does not alter the fact that they also use these loans for tuition, books and supplies, and ongoing expenses. It does not define one hope that this new loan forgiveness as to one’s degree, but an incentive to attract the best and the brightest and keep them. It is like a private corporation giving you a bonus stock option upfront or a reward for your work.
This application should not create other social stratification what jobs are more important to be considered. Attracting and keeping the right workforce will be an economic win-win for the nation. The common denominator should be civic service.
Tyrone, who makes certain that your water is clean and that trash picked up, or Susie, who processes your property tax daily; or Nadine, who attended school to study agriculture; and still paying off those loans, but became unemployed when her factory closed, but she always enjoyed cooking, and currently prepares your child in school lunch at the primary school. They are in addition government workers.
Your commitment
These loan incentives were first developed by officials to compete with the private sector to attract and retain the brightest. It is more than likely that your civil service career will not make one extremely wealthy, as these public service positions often like being a law enforcement officer that is put in a position of authority.
They must dedicate one, physical and mentally fit where pride and sense of duty dictate success or failure. It is a career that helps to maintain a quality standard of living and has a smooth retirement package (hopefully).
Finally, before you pick that academic institution to build your dream career, this is a candid conversation potential student should discuss with their families because far too often, retired parents left to carry the burden just wanting to perceive their children get a chance at being successful, and one should not eliminate a good idea even if you have an ideological difference with the messenger.
For one, there has been a massive increase in government spending globally, but looking in, I hope this one is beyond twitter and an incentive only for votes because these students will benefit tremendously.
-
Possibly a Chinese Community Policing Model for Protecting Caribbean Women from Domestic Violence?
By R.D. Miller
Part I– Her Story/Their Story
I registered with a few Caribbean electronic news media outlets in early January 2020, and within a few days, reports about six murdered women, including others who have gone missing, appeared in my online feed.
Today, I highlighted a few names from an ever-growing list of victims and stopped counting. Jezelle Phillips, Gabriella Dunbarry, and Pollyan Chunlesingh are from Trinidad and Tobago.
Somattie Keosoram, Naiee Singh Naiee, 31, an administrative officer, and Sharon Burnett, 56, are all from Guyana.
Neville Sinclair fled Jamaica to escape a toxic relationship, Shantel in McMaster in a supermarket shot dead by her lover, Suzanne Easy, killed by defense force Corporal Doran McKenzie, who later took his own life.
Unfortunately, there will be more victims before you finish reading this article; whether you are a teacher, student, wife, mother, aunt, or sister, the murder rates and violent crimes, particularly against women, are high.
Several males have died as a result of violence around the same time. Many of these cases are unrelated to an intimate relationship, but studies have shown that on average, less than 10% of men are killed by their female partners, while males kill approximately 70% of females.
Photo by cottonbro Domestic violence, in particular, is a public health concern along many of these coastlines.
Every 14 hours, a victim is killed by a spouse, ex-spouse, or a dating partner. And someone is abused by an intimate partner every 20 minutes. According to experts and the Center for Domestic Violence, domestic violence accounted for nearly 19% of the total burden of healthcare for women aged 15-44..
According to studies, approximately 40% of the Caribbean population considers crime and security issues to be more serious than poverty or inequality in their nations. But also, even as leaders argue these numbers to paint a better picture, the psychological effects continue and that cannot be measured.
Systematic Failures
Shantel Whyte, 24, was in a bad domestic relationship when he shot his love inside the store he managed. Many local news outlets stated that she was well-liked, energetic, and had a promising future. Accountability is also essential for increasing community engagement. Good governance cannot be replaced solely through social media.
Shaitel Whyte-24 Authorities frequently lack resources, particularly in rural areas where technical skills to solve difficult crimes could be improved.
Weapons have largely replaced discussion as a means of resolving minor conflicts today. Disagreements can easily devolve into brutal personal aggression and killings due to a lack of resources for resolution. These perpetrators frequently overlook criminogenic risk factors such as anti-social cognitions and behavior. (Domestic Violence-Podcast)
The silence is deafening
Selective amnesia frequently sets in, rendering it ineffective as a strategy; neither minimization nor photo-ops empathy is a strategy; tweets do not elicit fundamental support, and frequent comparison to another country does not provide an action.
Often a sudden visit to a victim’s home is good, but without resources or a quick policy that focuses on getting to the root of the problem, including women’s concerns and the community, is not a long-term solution.
Despite the fact that violence is pervasive, there have been numerous reports of mentally disturbed or racist individuals with easy access to high-powered weapons killing or targeting innocent victims. However, the reported one or two killings per day on these shores add up regardless of location.It appears that the same record is being played over and over again; we will look for solutions, and where local concerns appear to be drowned out. Furthermore, these atrocities must be solved by apprehending potential serial killers on local streets and in communities.
How many women have gone missing, been abused, or murdered before these latest victims, and their cases have gone unsolved?
Far too frequently, a consistent trend, “The police investigation is still ongoing, while the families of the vulnerable victims seek adequate answers. When is the “Where does the next button stop along these shores, and in many other places?
I wondered if the Caribbean women including other poor and developing regions with little and sometimes no resources were on the verge of extinction, not because of shark attacks or aging, but because of the actions of their domestic partners.
Photo by Anete Lusina How many young lives have been snuffed out? Your next teacher, cop, doctor, social worker, or even prime minister could be you. It appears that these perpetrators have taken out life insurance policies, and in order to cash them in, they have resorted to violence.
The blame game
Rapidly accusing the victims is minimization, and the argument that those men kill out of mistrust and poor judgment, and that she should stop complaining about how much they spent on her should be refuted.
Even more problematic is some people’s re-victimization attitude as if they deserved it.
In our society, discussions about these cases frequently begin with an interrogation of the victim.
“She had the option of fleeing the situation.”
What was the source of her abuse? ….. Why didn’t she just leave?
She should flee, but where will she hide in a system riddled with flaws designed to protect their vulnerability? It’s always about what she should have done, not what should have happened.
But no one ever asked the perpetrator as it seems, whether in jail, school, church, or the community, why he or she chose violence
Many victims, and even those tasked with assisting them, may deflect or minimize. We recognize traditionalists, or the “silent generation,” as experts refer to people who were raised to be seen but not heard.
Changing an old ideology
The rise in violence, particularly against women, necessitates a critical examination of the cause, as well as policies to provide more protection and support.
Though laws and women’s rights movements date back to the 1950s in the region, such as in The Bahamas, led by Dr. Doris Johnson. However, several of these laws are out of date and may need to be revised to address current concerns.
Domestic and family violence cases are more than politicians showing up at a gruesome crime scene, snapping a few photos with a victim, and then posting on social media with little or no resources to back them up.
Every year, millions of women are emotionally, physically, sexually, or economically abused or killed by someone they know and love, such as a husband or partner.
Photo by RODNAE Productions Domestic violence is still considered taboo in some cultures on many Caribbean islands, as well as in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. It has a long history of male chauvinistic (macho) status.
Many people still consider street harassment to be normal, and few will admit that it is a serious problem. This behavior frequently escalates into unwanted touching, assault, kidnapping, and death.
Unfortunately, many victims remain in the shadows after being re-victimized, humiliated, blamed, and given little support, even when the offenders are involved.
Women’s and other victims’ upward socioeconomic mobility may have become a threat to some males because she is now independent, confident, and more educated, which severely challenges traditional thinking in which gender roles were defined and she was better suited or relegated to the kitchen.
This violence appears to be following a pattern similar to other places where ethnic, cultural, and religious cleansing has occurred as a result of geopolitical conflicts. Human rights reports have revealed that women are vulnerable and that if they do not comply with orders, many are molested, brutalized, or killed.
The cycle, disconnect, and long-term impact
Many children who live in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused or neglected. This violence creates a psychological pattern, and overcoming this traumatic experience has long-term negative consequences, with some becoming abusers.
Every year, over three million children are exposed to domestic violence in their homes. Some children were raised with the mistaken belief that if their worried mother stayed, everything would be fine.
However, due to a lack of effective responses, resources, and often accountability on the part of local law enforcement and the judiciary, as well as insufficient training for first-line responders to handle these violent cases, the cycle continues for helpless victims.
These victims’ stories are frequently politicized, deflected, or given little condemnation by elected officials in order to prevent tourist ships from docking, keep hotels full, or simply because they are also indirect victims of the impact or are afraid to speak up.
Getting to the root of the problem
This is more than a few erroneous tweets with a distorted sense of empathy. They should mobilize more to demand change and accountability because “we are going to” does not prevent fractures, third-degree burns, lacerations, disfiguring scars, and, in many cases, death.
Leaders must invest more resources in community policing, treatment programs, victim services, and youth organizations to identify troubled individuals, as well as in job training and rehabilitation to induce a mental shift in how they resolve conflicts.
Before deploying a vaccine, these local systems must be able to identify criminal symptoms using psycho-sexual assessments.
It is frequently a 48-hour news cycle, guilt, social media bliss, and promises made as if governance could be accomplished in a few characters. Some of your leaders should go back and read their social media promises and what will be arranged, with little or no support for victims’ follow-up.
Confronting violence against women means ensuring that their community remains a great place to live, work, and play, with the ability to provide resources to underprivileged victims, such as food and personal care items, as well as a safe place for victims to tell their stories without being revictimized.
More dialogue is needed, and not just when someone is murdered. It cannot resolve the familiarity of what happened at home staying at home with a phone call to a dear pastor or a few likes on social media while perpetrators are rarely held accountable.
The Barriers
Poverty, inequality, stigma, and polarization make it difficult to provide critical resources such as family or personal counseling. Treatment, victim services such as mediation, or shelters would be possible with intervention. Access to these services, according to experts, would change the course of many Latin American and Caribbean communities.
Unfortunately, experts have noted that some group interventions remain in the shadows, lack proper staffing, and close quickly, and convicted offenders frequently require the cooperation of law enforcement to ensure they attend treatment programs.
Victims continue to use the healthcare system more than others, and for a longer period of time.
Today, it appears that some elected leaders have selective amnesia when it comes to violence, from robberies to ongoing missing students. They are frequently entangled in the complexities of policing, politics, and community.
Vigilant justice on top does not foster vibrant communities. It only reveals a deeper, systemic problem in the community, and people must speak up to reduce violence. “If you see something wrong, report it.”
Part II- Accountability in the Chinese style may help to reduce this senseless violence.According to published reports, China has stabilized over 60 million people in one weakened state since the outbreak of the Coronavirus. What if local law enforcement took a similar approach to deal with family violence and violent women?
China’s growing global presence has been documented in studies and publications in recent years, with new inroads into the Caribbean islands and Africa. They have seen a cultural explosion as a result of Chinese companies and other recent investments.
These private investments were reported to offer a path to improved economic growth and security.
If the Chinese takeover of high crime islands public safety operations is successful, will it save more women from domestic violence killings and other criminal issues?
Given the Chinese influence on these shores, I reluctantly began to speculate. I entertained some deep thoughts and investigated this trend after consulting with a few experts and friends. To protect their investments, they may offer a more robust public safety strategy.
I also doubt that the region will adopt a governing structure known as a “police state,” which only works in a Totalitarian system in which the government wields power through the police. This only increases citizen distrust and anger toward law enforcement. And a delicate balancing act involving these countries’ politics and constitutions.
This idea is less likely because reports have shown that China has human rights issues, such as forcing Mandarin on ethnic minorities like the Uyghurs. However, because they have already invested in and own key areas of these shores, importing another approach to addressing these public health issues may work. This intrusion may result in improved technology and training.
According to scholars, this contentious practice “who are their friends and all their enemies.” If this were to happen, violent criminals would face severe movement restrictions, which is exactly what many victims face in these toxic relationships.
These victims require your assistance.
In these many of these communities, violence against women persists in the shadows. After she gathers the courage to come forward, these victims deserve your support and an action plan.
There is a struggle, particularly on the higher crime islands, to distinguish ideology from policies to combat this malevolent that is becoming more virulent. Even if it reduces the number of children who go missing or are later found dead, it may be worth considering..
Every year, Reggae Fests, Soca, Afro Beats, Jazz, Latin Rhythms, and Carnivals took over these nations, but beneath the costumes and rhythms; one loves vibes; someone is hurting from irrational decisions by perpetrators, and perhaps these events should be paused to highlight this epidemic.
The system must improve its assessments and interventions in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. Often, social media only focuses on high-crime areas, leaving rural areas unnoticed. Build confidence for the next generation of awareness by talking about domestic violence. We can no longer blame it on culture, where the objectification of women is still acceptable.
Let us continue to talk about it.
I hope that more helpless victims will receive critical additional support from other women and organizations when they come forward without fear of financial repercussions.
Violence against women must remain a top priority not just during election seasons. This problem will not go away because many domestic partners will continue to brutally abuse and kill regardless of the calendar day.
Photo by cottonbro One-TimeMonthlyYearlyMake a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
$3.00$5.00$9.99$5.00$15.00$100.00$5.00$15.00$100.00Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated. Provides Supplies, Support & More to Victims.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly