Time for a new motto

THE EDITOR, Madam:

At this time of Jamaica’s Independence commemoration and celebrations, the old motto should be replaced with a new one that represents the future vision for Jamaica.

‘Out of Many, One People’ is a good motto that has defined our nation, became world-famous, and stood the test of time.

However, over the passage of time, change is important in order to re-inspire, refresh and re-motivate the citizenry of a nation, and particular Jamaica, land we love.

A motto ought not only to define a people, but should also be goal-oriented. At this time in Jamaica’s history, there is too much political divisiveness at both the leadership and community levels; too much crime and corruption; too much bad driving and accidents on our nation’s streets; and too much poverty.

There are also good things happening within Jamaica, both in the past and in the present. These include having a consistently robust tourism industry; a booming stock market; and being the home of world-class universities – including The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI); the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica; and Northern Caribbean University (NCU).

Jamaica also consistently produces some of the best sprinters the world has ever seen, including Herb McKinley, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson Herah, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.

And we produce some of the world’s greatest Reggae singers, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy, Cynthia Schloss, Marcia Griffiths, JC Lodge and Tessanne Chin.

Jamaica’s new motto should be ‘Striving for Sustained Unity, Peace and Love; Everyday and in Every Way’.

PATRICK GALLIMORE