Ruthibelle: Fate of a Failed and Faithless State

Fate of a Failed and Faithless State

There I was, late for church, silently willing the chatterbox driver to go faster, and overhearing these two men talk around the driver's latest unfortunate run-in with the police (apparently he'd had several). Then he made this statement: "Me nuh have no faith inna police nuh more. No rasta. Police or pastor. Me nuh have NO faith inna dem.

(Translated: I have no faith in the law anymore. Not at all. Pastor or police, I take no religion in any of them). And it made me conceive of our entire nation, because I've heard similar sentiments expressed on many other occasions. Our company is so riddled with corruption and frustration-inspiring situations that Jamaican people look to get lost trust in a LOT of things and people. So here's my list of things I believe we get no religion in anymore.

7. Government/politicians

We let that ship slide a long time ago. So long, in fact, that people no longer have a differentiation between government and corruption.

6. 'Di system'

It's not just governance and politics. It's this unnamed, intangible entity/force that drives all the major industries/sectors in our country. 'Di system' is this organised series of events, an unwritten list of requirements that naturally excludes the people and imposes injustice on the people.

5. Police

A common cry among our masses is that the police force has turn the nation's machinery for mass victimisation, bending to the wishes of their heartless dictators, many Jamaicans see police as the enemy, as 'Babylon', the ones who hold life hard for everyone.

4. Pastors/religious leaders

If ever there was a people/state who have been grossly disappointed by the Church, it's Jamaicans. Usually a strong Christian society, over the years Jamaicans have become the world's best and biggest religious sceptics. They've seen it all: from sex in the podium to pastors with guns, and they are not impressed.

3. God

Well, if the masses who defend him constantly fail you, why believe anything they say or appear to any reference point they offer?

2. The future

'Boy, tings dread,' is a common sentiment. And if that was all, it wouldn't pain me. But our masses have begun to get a position of resignation. Like the listless brood in Ayi Kwei Armah's The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, they take become firm believers in a stagnant, unchanging, unchangeable society. The more things change, they say, the more they continue the same.

1. Themselves

And this is the role many of us don't realise. Our deprivation of religion in all these other things belies a deeper crisis. It's not jut that we no longer believe in others or the system they work in, but it tells us - tells me - that we don't think in ourselves. We no longer value our own capabilities and potential. So that's my list. What do you mean? Do you agree/disagree? What would you add? Minus? And are you one of the many Jamaicans/persons who have given up on this state? I desire not.