Citizenship, Tolerance and Respect

"Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected."- Kofi Annan. The lack of positive values in the Jamaican society is of grave concern. There is hardly any respect for person or property; intolerance is absent from our vocabulary. Statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) shows in 2017, 1,647 Jamaicans were murdered; 1,287 Jamaicans lost their lives due to homicide in 2018; in 2019, 1,339 Jamaicans were killed and 1,323 Jamaicans were murdered in 2020. Given the lack of a hate crime bill it is difficult to know what percentage of homicides committed are hate crimes. Positive values and attitudes are not innate; they must be purposefully woven into the education system, as well as through other agents of socialization such as the church. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Jamaicans attend church and as such the education system appears to be the medium by which the values we seek to inculcate must be achieved. Many years ago Civics was taught in our schools and the affirmative values and attitudes which we are so desperately lacking had an avenue to be passed onto the next generation. However, some brilliant mind or minds saw it fit to remove this subject and Civics is no longer taught in our schools. The Jamaican society is woefully lacking citizenship skills. The British Council defines citizenship skills as developing active, globally aware citizens who have the skills, knowledge and motivation to address issues of human and environmental sustainability, and work towards a fairer world in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue; developing an understanding of what it means to be a citizen of their own country and their own country’s values. The seven citizenship skills are; cooperation, fairness, patience, respect, strength, self-improvement and balance. Cooperation involves thinking as a group; each member must realize that working together will achieve the common goal. Patience speaks to when it is best to wait and or act and how much action one should take based on the specific circumstances. Fairness is the act of tempering individual desires within the needs of society as a whole. Respect speaks to accepting the differences in others. Strength is the willingness of citizens to stand up for what they believe in and to denounce what is wrong and admit when they have erred. Self-improvement is the desire for lifelong learning and to improve on your skills. Balance is the realization that there is more than one side to every issue and to compromise when necessary. Of course we are all digital citizens. Digital citizenship can be defined as engaging in appropriate and responsible behaviour when using technology. As digital citizens we must have a spirit of discernment for others and express empathy to those in need. It is evident that these skills are interdependent and are critical tools in making us better citizens. Intolerance Are you also at a loss whenever you read that Jamaica is not a homophobic society? Homophobia is an unfounded fear of, hatred or aversion towards lesbian, gay or bisexual people. Some might argue that the Jamaican society has come a far way in respecting the rights of those we deemed different. Perhaps for the purpose of academia we have made some strides, however, for those who live the daily experiences of violence, discrimination and intolerance the changes have been minuscule. As a society we have managed to carve out safe spaces for some who are viewed as different due to their sexual orientation. Whether actual or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation discrimination is alive and well in the Jamaican society. Institutionalized homophobia is very much present in the society. Recently, the local newspaper carried a story where a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) resigned and went to the United States of America where he applied for and received asylum. According to the news report, he was subjected to derogatory names while he served in the JCF, terms such as fish are usually attributed to those who are viewed as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex. Some of us speak from a position of privilege. This place of privilege affords us the protection that many others do not have and as such one has to be careful not to speak on behalf of others who do not share the social protection. We have seen cases in Jamaica where the homes of people have been firebombed due to actual or perceived sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to a person’s physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction towards other people. Everyone has a sexual orientation, which is part of their identity. Sexual orientation is not related to gender identity and sex characteristics. Gender identity reflects a deeply felt and experienced sense of one’s own gender. Everyone has a gender identity, which is part of their overall identity. A person’s gender identity is typically aligned with the sex assigned to them at birth. There is also documentary evidence where individuals have lost their lives due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Jamaica is such a paradox. The compassion and forgiveness which Christ speaks of is oftentimes not extended to those who are viewed as different. Many of us through our silence are complicit in the intolerance and lack of respect which have become pervasive in the society. Sadly, once you are of a certain age, childless and without a wife or girlfriend you cannot escape the negative labeling that is automatic. Those who reside uptown have an easier passage to escape the toxicity which underpins gender identity in many inner-city communities in the society. These inner-city communities are often without the schools of choices for the next generation and lack adequate and affordable housing and infrastructure. Jamaica continues to suffer from a brain drain and this is likely to continue. Brain drain is the phenomena where the most educated citizens of a country migrate to countries with better opportunities. This typically affects developing countries more negatively than developed countries. It is also probable that more Jamaicans will file asylum claims in North America and in Europe in a bid to escape entrenched homophobia and discrimination. The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of marginalized groups in the society and regrettably in many societies not much is being done to address these under-served groups. No society can achieve sustainable development on the pillars of intolerance and discrimination. There is need for governments to re-double their efforts in ensuring that safety measures are in place for everyone regardless of actual or perceived difference. In order to become better global citizens we all have a role to play. In the words of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, together, let us stand united against discrimination and for the right of all to live free and equal in dignity and rights. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo ©