A Youth Party’s Revolution
Today August 12, 2015 is being celebrated as International Youth Day with the United Nations being the driving force behind these celebrations. Sadly in Jamaica, most youths are not aware of these celebrations. We are constantly being told to be seen and not heard by those who consider themselves above us, however we have have began to fight back against this misguided train of thought.
As the generation that is the most technologically savvy, whose ideas transcend the narrow, tribalistic ideologies of Jamaica and its xenophobic attitudes to our neighbours along with our stubborn resistance to change, could we make a difference? It is with this mindset that I pondered, could we start our own political party? A party which the youths of our fair Jamaica could represent the growing concerns of what is no doubt the largest group in the country? I believe we can, NO WE MUST, as our current political representatives have shown they have little incentive to change their archaic behaviour and this is a constant bone of contention with the youths of the country and politics. We are the ones who will inherit the mistakes of this generation’s decision making yet we have little say in how these decisions are made. Instead it is almost seen as an affront when we speak up, in fact one of the few young politicians in the People’s National Party, Raymond Pryce complains that it seemed that they were tricked and are now seemingly being ousted by the party. Joining our current political parties is akin to joining a cult, the word of the leader is law and breaking from traditional thought patterns is seen as grounds for ostracization. This is a sad occurrence in a time when independent ideas are needed especially from persons with grasp of new ideas.
Though one of our biggest challenge will be overcoming voter apathy, this isn't terrible hard to accomplish this goal. Though it will be long and arduous, we have the tools and the persons willing to do the job. We are the nation of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and YouTube therefore we can leverage these to get our message out. People already identify with our goals and are tired of the two party system which essentially boils down to both sides being the same. We should make ourselves present in every election, in every dilemma that faces the country we must be present with our activism and fresh approach. And for those which we can not be present for, our voice is still there as a guide as to who to vote for. We welcome all to the party and become influential -as we already are becoming- in every sphere of society in order to break this monopoly of non-representation for our group and Jamaicans in general.
Critics will fight against this idea claiming that to be present in Government requires certain level of maturity and some experience, to those persons I point you to the recent visit by President Barack Obama’s visit where we took the stage and represented our country splendidly. To those persons, I point you to the Student Unions of our universities across the country where the JLP and PNP would do well to take a lesson in what good governance looks like. To those persons, I point you to the countless youth organizations, clubs and societies where youths have blazed their paths. Hence the argument that we are inexperienced that is born of a discriminatory and entitled mindset is out of synch with the reality of what is happening, in fact we have never been more qualified.
It is time that the inheritors of the future take control of that future. Long have we sat idly by complaining for an opportunity. We must no longer ask for that opportunity but demand it, fight for it, wrestle it to the ground and beat it into submission. Our forefathers once did it and we gained our Emancipation and Independence now we must emancipate ourselves from the mental shackles holding us back. President Barack has already given us his seal of approval, go out and be the best.
