How has our current approach served Jamaica so far? The answer is painfully clear: we remain the second poorest country in the Caribbean, grappling with systemic poverty and the highest levels of brain drain in the region. Our most talented and educated citizens
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continue to live in search of better opportunities abroad, leaving behind a nation struggling to achieve sustainable development. The question we must ask ourselves is: why are we still trapped in this cycle of dependency and underdevelopment?
When we look at nations like Singapore, the contrast is striking. Singapore’s greatest achievement was its ability to reject external pressures and carve out its own unique path to prosperity. Instead of blindly following the strategic traps or agendas set by imperial powers, Singapore focused on building its own systems, prioritizing education, innovation, and self-reliance. The result? A transformation from a small, resource-scarce nation into a global economic powerhouse.
In Jamaica, however, the story has been markedly different. For decades, our leaders have largely acted as though they are bound to the West—subservient to Western interests, mimicking Western models, and prioritizing Western approval over the needs of their own people. Metaphorically speaking, they have behaved like “house slaves,” comfortable in their subordination and unwilling to challenge the status quo. They send their children to be educated in the West, adopt foreign lifestyles, and focus on maintaining relationships with external powers rather than addressing the urgent needs of the Jamaican population.
This pattern of leadership has left us stagnant. While our leaders enjoy the privileges of their positions, the majority of Jamaicans continue to face poverty, inadequate healthcare, underfunded education systems, and limited economic opportunities. The brain drain exacerbates these issues, as the very people who could drive innovation and progress are forced to seek opportunities elsewhere.
It’s time for Jamaica to break free from this cycle of dependency and subordination. We must learn from the example of nations like Singapore and begin to chart our course. This means prioritizing policies that empower our people, investing in education and infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance. It also means holding our leaders accountable and demanding that they prioritize Jamaica’s interests over foreign agendas.
The path to true independence and prosperity will not be easy, but it is necessary. Jamaica is a nation with immense potential—rich in culture, talent, and natural resources. We have the ability to transform our future, but only if we are willing to break free from the chains of dependency and take control of our own destiny. The question is: are we ready to take that step?
The time for change is now. Let us choose a new path—one that leads to a brighter, more self-sufficient future for all Jamaicans.
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