Garth Rattray | The ‘other side’

Jamaica has two major political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP). However, if people happen to disagree with, criticise, or complain about anything that has to do with a political party, the ruling administration, or projects being undertaken by the government, they are often unfairly categorised as being affiliated with the ‘other side’.

I vividly recall when the Hagley Park corridor was undergoing extensive rehabilitation. The changes were needed and long in coming. However, problems arose when the project was undertaken with scant regard for the hundreds of thousands of citizens who resided and/or worked there or commuted through the area.

The dust was not properly controlled; homes, businesses, equipment, and people bore the brunt of many months of severe dust pollution. All communication was cut off – the contractors blamed the utility companies for not properly pointing out where their cables were buried, and the utility companies blamed the contractors for not adhering to their instructions regarding where they should not dig. In the end, it was the citizens and businesses that suffered prolonged disruption of services. Interestingly, they were afraid to complain lest they be accused of belonging to the ‘other side’.

Power was frequently interrupted, water became a scarce commodity, vehicles transporting customers and clients for a multitude of businesses were turned away by flag-waving personnel who knew nothing of where to detour drivers so that commuters could find their intended destination within the mess. People and vehicles were damaged because of the lack of care by the contractors. Road and business signs were uprooted and dumped, although some were paid for at the municipality. But fear of being labelled as someone aligned to the ‘other side’ kept innumerable citizens suffering in silence.

SILENCE COMPLAINERS

The tactic of labelling anyone who dares to question or oppose the thoughts and/or actions of a ruling party is used to silence complainers. It is a very efficient way of shutting up most people. During the horrible time of work on the Hagley Park corridor, I was the sole plaintive voice; others felt intimidated into remaining silent. Even die-hard supporters of the ruling political party suffered and squirmed in silence because they did not want to give any appearance of belonging to the ‘other side’.

Recently, when two large, cardboard posters were illegally nailed to a Jamaica Public Service utility pole right outside my office gate, it was the only place that any political poster was placed nearby. Their conspicuous placement gave the impression that I was a public supporter of that political party. I felt that my right to keep private any political preference that I might have was taken away from me. And, in any event, I dislike all political posters that are placed without permission and without following procedure. But I was warned that removing them would have labelled me as being from the ‘other side’, and that “there are consequences” to such actions.

This technique is a very devious and subtle way of controlling a large number of the population. We are so politically polarised that it squelches free speech. I find that I feel compelled to qualify my opinion on matters of national importance by beginning with, “I have no political affiliations”, or “I am apolitical” when commenting on anything that is even remotely associated with politics. That’s troubling.

The converse applies to many citizens. Although they are not parliamentarians, who are constrained by ‘collective responsibility’ – wherein, even if, as individuals, parliamentarians do not agree with a particular position that has been collectively agreed upon and voted on, they must abide by that position – regular citizens feel compelled to agree with and even defend the decisions and actions of the political party that they support. They do not want to be branded as belonging to or aligning with the ’other side’.

NOT WORTH

The appearance of unity that agreeing with any and everything that your chosen political party does, is not worth the undesirable inevitability of making their followers a bunch of yes-men. It kills diversity of opinions. It destroys healthy debate; it annihilates the input of information and suggestions that are needed to strengthen any political party. It risks introducing dictatorial tendencies into our politics.

Because many citizens are concerned about being mislabelled as belonging to the ‘other side’, they feel compelled to defend the scandals, corruption, the denials, the cover-ups, the misuse of power and privileges, and the lack of accountability that goes on in politics. Many keep very dark secrets or turn a blind eye to the wrongs that sometimes occur. That sort of behaviour only serves to solidify the indiscretions and illegalities within such institutions. Eventually, they ooze out into the wider society and, since regular citizens are sometimes aware of them, they are seen as the norm.

The furore over the matter of the current Speaker of the House being the wife of the prime minister has people sharply divided along political lines. It is a pity that it cannot be openly debated without being sullied by party politics. It would make for worthwhile discussion so that guidelines for future similar circumstances could be established. Instead, as usual, there will be vexed interactions and nothing substantial will come of it.

Throughout my lifetime, I have been approached to join this political party or that one. I choose to remain unaffiliated because I do not want to surrender my freedom of thought and expression.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com