Politics has failed us, gangs have killed us

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica is at a critical juncture, a moment of urgency and necessity. The looming threat of gang violence and the unmet pledges of politics intersect, posing a grave danger. For generations, neighbourhoods have been ensnared in a web of ineffective governance and the stifling influence of organised crime.

It is an undeniable truth that politics has failed us, and gangs have killed us — sometimes literally, but always in spirit. We need only to look at the current temperature of our most valued assets, our youth, to confirm this. If that isn’t convincing enough, look at the conditions of the roads, the healthcare system, the layers of unnecessary burden to conduct any business, overall poor infrastructure, and the blatant way the politicians play in our faces.

Politicians have long painted hopeful pictures and outlined grand strategies. Yet, the reality on the ground tells a starkly different story. Communities, especially those in the inner city, remain neglected, with little to show for the policies and promises delivered from platforms and podiums. These voids have been eagerly filled by gangs that offer a twisted community structure. They step in where leadership and opportunity are absent, perpetuating cycles of fear and dependency.

While we wait for politicians to deliver salvation, we watch our society erode, piece by piece. The pervasive culture of gangs shows us just how far the breakdown of society has reached — pushing us to recognise that neither waiting for change nor placing our future in the hands of the next political cycle will save us.

The only force potent enough to shatter this cycle is the self-sufficiency of our populace. We must forge stronger community ties, bolster grassroots initiatives, and foster economic autonomy. Education is a crucial tool in this journey.

Jamaica, the jewel of the Caribbean, as I like to call it, needs its people more than ever before. We must summon the spirit of our ancestors, who overcame insurmountable odds with resilience and courage. It is time for every Jamaican to rise and demand more than politics and empty promises can offer.

Let us claim our individual and collective strength, unity, and pride to build a nation where progress and peace are driven not by those in power, but by the people themselves. The legacy of our forebears compels us to be the architects of our destiny — undaunted, unwavering, and unstoppable. Be the change we deserve. Together, we can build a Jamaica we can all be proud of. Let’s rise, let’s demand, and let’s be the change we deserve.

TESHA ALLISON

Attorney-at-law

Weston, Florida