Glenn Tucker | Don't diss your elders

In 1976, Pearnel Charles Sr was placed in detention at Up Park Camp. My mother was livid. There were days when I thought she was going to abandon her job as a principal and leave Brown's Town for Kingston to free him herself.

Each morning she would wonder aloud whether he had received his breakfast. Exasperated, I pointed out to her that - to the best of my knowledge - Mr Charles had a wife, who would, in all likelihood, take care of such matters.

Pearnel Charles has been battered and bruised, but this has not deterred him from giving about 60 years of service to this country. His children - who have all distinguished themselves academically - seem to have inherited the 'service' genes from him.

I mention this because of a statement attributed to a Robert Nesta Morgan directed at, now, Speaker Charles, "If you expect a PR war, I am the expert, but I am telling you I have nothing to lose. I will deal with you like I have with Peter and Portia." Why was that necessary, Mr Morgan?

The name Robert Nesta Morgan is new to me. But I keep wondering: Would this young man exhibit this level of arrogance towards a senior party official without some sort of 'official' support? Does he have a patron?

This country seems to be overtaken by a culture of coarseness which passes, everywhere, for being 'cute'. I am concerned that the JLP, in its frantic search for 'stars', is - unwittingly, maybe - doing its elders a great disservice.

When I reflect on the bloody, rocky roads these seniors had to travel, long before these youngsters were born, and the selfless service they gave to create the beautiful highway that now exists, they may very well have a right to be very 'touchy' when they are being pushed, overlooked and sidelined. And, from the outside looking in, that is what I see.

Ageism is on us. Everywhere I go, the demand is for 'young, bright' this and 'young, bright' that. Is it that the elders are obsolete? With nothing to offer? We need to look at the cultures that have endured, like China, and ask why. There, elders are respected and honoured.

In fact, if Mr Morgan had made a statement like that to someone of Senator Charles' stature in China, there could be legal consequences.

One of my brothers-in-law is Chinese. When doctors revealed that his mother was suffering from dementia, he promptly resigned his job to take care of her himself. This despite the fact that there were more financially prudent options available.

I am late for every appointment. Massive road construction is taking place like I have never seen before. No one can deny the messages of hope that this gives. This is progress. And progress is impossible without change.

Have respect

In the meantime, I wish to say to the party that now forms the government: "Be more respectful of your elders, they had a hand in the progress we are enjoying today."

Can I also encourage Mr Morgan to change his mind and apologise to Speaker Charles? Because, sir, if you can't change your mind, you can't change anything.

Oh! And there is a word I would encourage party leaders to look up and spend time understanding the true meaning and usefulness of it. That word is 'transition'.

- Glenn Tucker is an educator and sociologist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and glenntucker2011@gmail.com.