Talk to the average Jamaican and
you will very quickly hear “Nut’em naaw gwaan”. But is this
statement really true? To answer this question the political and emotional considerations
will have to be kept in check.
Now, for those who will be quick
to say this is the rant of a party hack that is disconnected from the current
realities in Jamaica, these is no illusions that there are many Jamaicans who
are unemployed, homeless and living in poverty.
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| A section of the Mount Rosser bypass of Highway 2000 |
The suggestion being
intimated by the question is that the real issue in Jamaica, and many other
countries alike, is the widening earning gap between the rich and the rest of the
population. One only needs to read the daily newspapers or scan the electronic media
to see the monies being earned by the rich.
Before those in the “rich
category” start thinking law-suits, this is not an assault on their wealth or
earnings. It is merely a statement of fact. And more importantly, an invitation
for discussion on how to create a much more inclusive Jamaica, where no man,
woman or child is left behind.
Now back to the question. How can
a country where there are several companies making in excess of J$ 2.5 BILLION in profit and there
is a feeling that nothing is going on [nut’em
naaw gwaan]? And this is based in public information on publicly listed
companies, so one can only imagine what obtains for those privately held entities.
One particular group is those companies registered in places like Cayman, Bermuda
and St Lucia which are owned by Jamaicans and operates in Jamaica.
So, there you have some food for
thought. Is there really something going on or is it really nut’em naaw gwaan?
