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Gas
Riots: a commentary
by Neil
On
March 18th 1999 the populace of Jamaica fueled by an unjust and inhumane
gasoline tax exploded into islandwide spontaneous demonstrations and riots.
The peaceful demonstrations broke down into a lawless display of looting
and burning of our fellow poor Jamaican's property. Many hard working
Jamaicans who are also struggling to keep up with mounting economic pressures
lost millions of dollars in damages as their business places were destroyed
by angry mobs. It seemed terribly unfair that these people who were themselves
supporters of the demonstrations have to pay the price literally.
The government of Jamaica, the ruling Peoples National Party grossly under
estimated both the mood and the suffering of the Jamaican public when
it introduced its latest draconian policies. Little did they know that
the people had nothing else to give to a government that has repeatedly
asked them to give more and to receive naught in return. The miscalculation
has resulted in a general uprising in Jamaica not seen since the riots
of the 1970's and the threat of communism. The result has been a severe
blow to our economy. To date we have lost three days of production because
the whole country has been brought to its knees. The limping tourism and
bauxite industries have both been dealt near fatal blows. It seems that
we have perfected the art of shooting ourselves in the foot. The most
worrying thing is that we seem to take aim first.
The responsibility of the chaos , mayhem, damage to property and lost
production must lay on the heads of the government as they failed to prepare
the populace for the pending tax increases. They assumed in their arrogance
that just a declaration from on high would be enough. History has proven
otherwise. They always seem to loose track of the bigger picture. By pushing
more people to the brink of poverty and subsistence it is inevitable that
more people will turn to our forests for cooking fuel out of necessity.
This will have the predictable effect of deforestation that in turn will
worsen our water woes. As people become more desperate many will turn
to crime as a solution to their plight. In a crime ridden environment
even the most successful business will be negatively effected. It will
be difficult to attract tourists and potential investors into such an
environment.
The unity shown by protesters islandwide was heart warming. All long standing
divisions were temporarily set aside as the nation united and showed both
its anger and its disgust at the government and their economic policies.
However the method of protest is outdated and and too easily disintegrates
into chaos. The blocking of roads results in damage to property. The burning
of tyres adds toxins to already polluted air. The same results could have
been acheived at a much smaller socio-economic cost by a national strike
or a boycott of gasoline. If we are seroius about progress we need to
move past this method protesting. The looting and burning and killing
that accompanied it all must be condemned.
Today it is apparent that the masses have spoken. What is also apparent
is that there is no credible alternative leadership in our current political
climate. The masses spoke but no leaders were present only wagonists and
two faced political oppertunists that have been called vampires by one
of our prophets, the honerable Robert Nesta Marley. The so called leader
of the opposition stood up and showed his true colours once again. I was
shocked as he condemned the unjust tax put on gasoline when less than
15 years ago his administration imposed a simulalar tax on gasoline. A
leadership void exists in Jamaica, with the exception of Rene Simoes.
We are a nation fumbling around without direction.
The unrest continues, the issues remain as none have been adressed by
the government. Our political system has failed us. Our future is as bleak
as our immediate past. Our worst fears will become our reality if we do
not do the right thing, change not only our political way of thinking
but our own way of thinking. But as it stands at this point the words
of Mutty Perkins seem almosr prophetic
" The center can not hold.
Things
fall apart.
Mere
anarchy is loose upon the world." .
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