Diaspora has high hopes, expectations for 2021
Published:Friday | January 1, 2021 | 12:15 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
As 2021 dawns, Jamaicans in the diaspora are looking forward with renewed hope and expectations, with a reset to several issues brought to the fore during the pandemic and a change of administration in the United States.
Curtis Ward, Jamaica’s former ambassador to the United Nations, hopes that the Government will find a way to pivot from its support for the Donald Trump regime to take advantage of an expected better relationship with the incoming Joe Biden administration, which takes office in less than three weeks.
“My hope is that Jamaica will be an active part of a unified CARICOM that will speak with one voice to be able to work with the Biden-Harris administration to take advantage of several initiatives that will be expanded,” he said, referencing the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and the Caribbean Basic Energy Security Initiative.
Economic policies that will benefit the Caribbean region is high on Ward’s wish list for the new year, hoping that such policies will help to rebuild Caribbean economies devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We must position ourselves to benefit from these initiatives,” he said.
Professor Basil Wilson, former provost at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, said that the diaspora has great hopes of a recovery for the Jamaican economy.
Make a bounce-back
“Tourism should make a bounce-back. It is important that this take place for Jamaica and the people of the country, especially the thousands who work in the industry and depend on tourism for their livelihood,” said Wilson.
He is hopeful that with the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, there will be a lessening of the disease and a return to a sense of normalcy.
Pointing out that crime was still a major concern, Wilson said he is hoping that the Government will make serious progress in crippling lawlessness, especially in reducing the murder rate, for 2021.
“The many ways that have been tried have not worked, and so there must be investment in inner-city communities to break the cycle of crime. One way to do this is through our music and culture,” Wilson suggested.
He is also anticipating improved CARICOM-US relations with the new US administration in which Kamala Harris, who is of Jamaican heritage, is vice-president.
“The Biden-Harris administration will be staffed with professionals, and Jamaica must position itself through CARICOM to take advantage of opportunities to boost exports to lift the standard of living for Jamaicans at home,” Wilson said.
He pointed out that there is a new energy in the diaspora, which should be harnessed for the country’s continued benefit.
New York State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, who was born in Jamaica, said he was looking forward to seeing the back of Donald Trump as he anticipates a more professional approach to bringing the coronavirus pandemic under control.
“I am optimistic about 2021, and I am looking forward to see an inspired partnership between the United States and the Caribbean where policies will be implemented to benefit the peoples of the region and uplift their standard of living,” he said.
The assemblyman said he was looking forward to having the new US president work with Jamaica and other CARICOM countries as a sister nation and a friend.
Northeast Global Diaspora Council member Dr Karren Dunkley would like to see improvements in healthcare and the economy, especially small businesses devastated by the pandemic. She also wishes for a reset of relationship between CARICOM and the new US administration and a continued strengthening of the diaspora.
“We don’t want just a propping-up of small businesses, but meaningful economic programmes that will benefit them long term,” she said, pointing out that it is important that these be given the kinds of lifelines that will enable them not only to remain viable, but also to grow.
Dr Allan Cunningham, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the Southern US Region, wants to see an optimistic approach in 2021 and continued cooperation between the Northeast, Southern, and Western US Diaspora regions.
He also wishes to see more Jamaicans aspiring to leadership positions around the globe both in the political and corporate worlds.