HAVE you ever noticed someone with a watch on their arm and you ask them what’s the time, just to be told “It’s not working?” and you ask yourself why they wore it?
Same way — everybody seems to have a cell phone (and two in some cases) and you assume they are IT-savvy, just to discover their use of such gadgets is minimal.
So, we have cell phones, lap tops, flat screen TV at home, even in the garage, and yet so few are able to relate or process information.
In the same way we have institutions that feel because they write an article or two, or put an ad on the radio, or use Facebook or other related sources, that they have informed everybody.
All of that is known as perceived analysis, whereby we think that everyone should be able to do business online because this is the way of the world, so no more hymn books in church or song books, you must just watch the screen.
But then, we tend to forget how many people don’t know how to read, or process information, far less send it, but because everyone gives the impression that they are bright, educated, or savvy and we automatically assume that they are above average. But we must remember there are educated fools as well.
In the same way that project after project is established by the Government, and various institutions, but the turnout or response is minimal, all because we assumed that we have reached them, or convince them that what we do or organize is in their interest.
We live in a society of impressionism, discrimination, foolish pride and in some cases a lack of understanding, but nobody dares to say “I do not understand” or “I cannot help myself” or to simply admit they’re illiterate.
Those who have the grasp or know things assume that everyone else can, or knows, or has understanding, but if such is the case all students in a class would graduate with first class honours, or only have AAA, and there would be no failures or persons failing to meet the pass grade.
Our lack of understanding of the make-up of our society, or the difference in learning ability, makes us assume — and we judge everybody with the same yard stick.
Knowledge and understanding could be given at the highest level or with little complexity, but not all will grasp or have a full understanding of or relate to what they have been taught. There are those who suffer from manual dexterity while others are thinkers and intellectually gifted. Hence the statement “Different strokes for different folks.”
When scholarships are available it is not those in need or have the aptitude that get, but those with connections, name, or ‘backa’.
When we chose to make one profession seem better than another that is not necessarily a good thing, like some parents think… You will acquire more status if you become a lawyer rather than an art specialist, or a media announcer. We create division and perpetuate low self-esteem among those who are not high achievers.
When we see the vender, bus driver, or the fisherman or farmer as a low-class job, we create the same problem and it is from that standpoint segregation, and division and class is put on the front burner.
We have to come to the realization that all jobs and roles are essential, but we also cannot see about the needs of the youths and forget that seniors also need support.
When we make sure that some earn millions while some earn crumbs, how do you ever not expect dissatisfaction amongst the sectors?
A society should be about all the citizens, not a selected few, and work opportunity should be for all sectors and not only for tag teams or party hacks, or the sons and daughters of the elite.
The Rasta, the bartender, the vender, the street cleaner, all should feel important and seen as a contributor within the society. Education should be geared at all, regardless of religion, social or community background, or where you originate from should not decide your fate and thus decide who among us should be given a chance.
It is too often about who is eligible or should be chosen, based on your background. But it should matter not if you from the ghetto or Cap Estate.
The effort to elevate all should be at the forefront of our minds, and those empowered to assist and give direction must avoid being discriminatory.
There will always be different classification of workmanship, so we need a society to grow and we need to understand all our people are in need in one way or another and need help at various levels, to ensure there is general satisfaction among all our people.
We need to stop thinking it is the educated and those born with bread and butter families that need support.
We must also not think that it is the yellow party or the red party that should be at the helm, as government should not be about party but intent and conviction to deal with real issues and circumstances.
And also remember that despite your material achievements, when the bell rings we all go six feet under and with none of our worldly achievements.
Live for legacy not personal greed and self-attainment. It does nothing for nation building.