Jamaican Researcher

Is Jamaica an Economically and Socially Unjust Society?

“In my travels there (Jamaica), I realized that it ain’t like the travel agent posted. Its a Third World nation–your flying into Mo Bay and your flying over zinc huts, wooden huts, and corrugated metal. Then you drive from the airport to Negril, you see little kids with no shoes, no pants on, just running around in underwear…” (Scotty P on the Ghetto Outcry).

As a social researcher with an emphasis on human rights, I have to face the reality of societal injustice in my country everyday. Though I am never isolated from its impact and haunts, I have to develop a resistant skin to ward of its psychological effects. Professionally I have a mandate to tour, research, and empower Jamaican communities in the rural and inner-city areas. I also work closely with societal leaders, which takes me into their communities and work spaces.

The economic and social divide between the poor and well-off Jamaican citizen is nakedly obvious. Social stratification can be seen quite clearly in any dark night. If you should take a drive throughout the country (rural and urban) you can tell by the indicators who is in each of the social groups. Just visit the Jamaican Photos and Videos pages of this blog and you’ll see the evidence. You can also view my post on Lifestyle of the Jamaican poor, Majestic Gardens and you’ll see absolute injustice–people on the brink of extinction.