To Save a Nation

Consider this, it is plausible to reason that even in a utopia, if the people have no sense of purpose, anarchy will soon prevail - What do they do with their abundant “happy time”?! It is reasonable to deduce that a sense of purpose and a common direction are critical to develop and maintain a nation. And this may be where national leaderships are fumbling an easy catch.?

As said, so true, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions”. Good intentions do not always yield good. While doing good may be the objective, if it is not done within the right context, then the good being sought can create a horrendous mess. In Jamaica the “Zones of Special Operations” (ZOSO) were created as a “good” initiative, to reduce crime and violence. However, crime and violence have not abated, promoting the posting of a travel advisory by the United States of America, due to insecurity within Jamaica. Good initiatives must fit into a larger picture - a larger plan.

Whatever the country, whatever the initiatives, be it security, social upliftment, or economic stimulus, it won't succeed without the context of a singular national vision and a concrete national objective. One sole solid aim, that everyone can understand, perceive value, and buy into. National unity among the people of a country is the only condition and context for sustainable national development and meaningful success.?

While no silver bullet exists to solve every country’s challenge, the drive toward unity is the best chance for growth and development in every situation. “And the Lord said, Behold the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis 11:6) The biblical account of early human history informs that a united people can create what they require and what they desire. The account reveals that unity is the critical power for any people seeking to build.?

Leaders should take note and work tirelessly to coalesce their people around a singular vision and purpose. What built the United States of America, other than a singular vision to create a nation “Of the people, by the people, and for the people”. The strategy toward unity of purpose propelled the U.S. to its lofty position as the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. A motley crew determined, above all else, to be united, and voila - Super Power. They demonstrate that a whole new world, and even the wild-west, could converge into one people - E Pluribus Unum.?

The odds of failing as an experiment of liberty and democracy, were high. Becoming a “United State” could not have been easy. And freedom from the British monarchy and subordinating native Indians would possibly be the least of their challenges. Internal wranglings and jostling, and the struggle to submit one to the other, in pursuit of one vision, would have been their greatest challenge. Winning that struggle, to unite everyone around one vision, predestined and propelled them to great success. And that’s the great struggle that every serious national leadership must also take up - Unity.??

The chances of meaningful and lasting success increase dramatically with the increase in unity. Yes, even in the context of democracies, which function by separation and polarization. Skilled leaders will unify their people, even after difficult elections are won. African nations, and Jamaica and Haiti particularly, have this great challenge ahead of them. Without skilled leadership to coalesce their people around a singular vision and mission, development and advancement is nigh impossible. Good initiatives become meaningless without leadership that can unify their people.??????

Whatever is required to bestir leadership of countries toward focusing on the unity of their people is prudent. The best leaders will communicate and represent equity and equality through unity. The best leaders can communicate a vision and a mission which promises equality and equity through unification, on the strong foundation of liberty and democracy. “United we stand” will always ring true.??