I read an article in the Jamaica Gleaner a few days ago which described the “lawlessness that was rooted in the Jamaican culture.” The writer said this lawless behavior of Jamaicans was occurring at home and abroad. The writer also talked about parents teaching their children everything but the correct thing to do. It was his belief stated later in the article, “Jamaicans seek everyway not to do the right thing.”
I was disappointed and a little embarrassed after reading the article. “Lawless,” was not the way I have ever thought about describing a people I am a part of. The word however, made me revisit a the time when I was growing up and the only people described as lawless, were those who committed crimes. Their fate if not handled but adults in the area, was handled by police officers far away from my community.
People, who grew up in the small rural community of Epping Farm where I grew up, were taught by their parents or grandparents to obey rules. In a nutshell, you did what you were told to do, period. If you broke a rule or embarrassed your family, you would be punished which most often meant getting a “clap” or a “beating.” There was no sparing the rod, and spoiling the child, and after your punishment, you also felt different degrees of “shame”. Does the concept of “shame” still exist? Are we ashamed when we engage in behavior that is not the norm for our communities? Shame was the deterrent for so many of us, sometimes worse than the beating. It prevented us from doing what was thought of to be “bad” behavior again!
Epping Farm was the model of “it takes a village to rear a child.” Every adult could, and was expected to correct a child’s behavior. The adults saw it as their responsibility to preserve the norms of the community. Your behavior good or bad, was monitored and reported to you and your parents often. You listened, stayed in your lane, and kept things moving.
I was disappointed and a little embarrassed after reading the article. “Lawless,” was not the way I have ever thought about describing a people I am a part of. The word however, made me revisit a the time when I was growing up and the only people described as lawless, were those who committed crimes. Their fate if not handled but adults in the area, was handled by police officers far away from my community.
People, who grew up in the small rural community of Epping Farm where I grew up, were taught by their parents or grandparents to obey rules. In a nutshell, you did what you were told to do, period. If you broke a rule or embarrassed your family, you would be punished which most often meant getting a “clap” or a “beating.” There was no sparing the rod, and spoiling the child, and after your punishment, you also felt different degrees of “shame”. Does the concept of “shame” still exist? Are we ashamed when we engage in behavior that is not the norm for our communities? Shame was the deterrent for so many of us, sometimes worse than the beating. It prevented us from doing what was thought of to be “bad” behavior again!
Epping Farm was the model of “it takes a village to rear a child.” Every adult could, and was expected to correct a child’s behavior. The adults saw it as their responsibility to preserve the norms of the community. Your behavior good or bad, was monitored and reported to you and your parents often. You listened, stayed in your lane, and kept things moving.
So this concept of “lawlessness” doesn’t sit well with me. If indeed this is what’s taking place on the island today, things need to be fixed. I take pride in knowing that when I was growing up there were standards that people followed, and maintaining those standards kept our communities safe, and secure. I want to think that there are people in Jamaica today who still remember what standards are, and are still willing to uphold lawful behavior! Am I wrong?
To a fault, most of the people who grew up with me still find it important to follow rules. We still remember shame and pride, and conduct our daily lives in the manner taught to us by our parents/grandparents… living a life that is respectful of self and others. What’s wrong with that?
Revisiting and practicing the things that made us a lawful society in the past, will prevent articles like the one I read, from being written again. Let’s strive to eradicate lawlessness wherever we see it rearing its ugly head.
To a fault, most of the people who grew up with me still find it important to follow rules. We still remember shame and pride, and conduct our daily lives in the manner taught to us by our parents/grandparents… living a life that is respectful of self and others. What’s wrong with that?
Revisiting and practicing the things that made us a lawful society in the past, will prevent articles like the one I read, from being written again. Let’s strive to eradicate lawlessness wherever we see it rearing its ugly head.