Turning a blind eye to bad behaviour
THE CRASSNESS and general impropriety that takes place within political spaces is partly our fault. We, the citizens, give our political leaders free rein to behave in the reprehensible manner they often do, by hardly ever truly holding them accountable for bad behaviour. In so doing, we are perhaps even more culpable for the social and moral decay that seems to be overshadowing Jamaican politics.
By now, many Jamaicans have seen video footage of Dennis Meadows, former People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for the Trelawny Northern constituency, addressing a group of party supports. In the video, he is heard saying “I have no problem wid a man if him waah chop, because dem chop us during slavery…”. The crowd is then heard cheering in the background.
Almost as soon as the video went viral, Meadows was removed by the PNP leadership as the party’s provisional candidate for the Trelawny Northern constituency and his statements condemned.
Only a few days after that, I saw an interview of an ardent PNP supporter from the constituency begging for more Meadows. Having carefully considered the man’s impassioned proposition for the PNP leadership to reconsider its decision to have Meadows removed, it seems his reasons were: 1) Dennis Meadows helps the people where he can 2) Dennis Meadows knows how politics is and “is dealing with the things that the people want him to deal with” 3) Dennis Meadows is trying to reinstate the PNP in Trelawny 4) Dennis Meadows has made a mistake, has admitted it and has apologised.
SYMPATHY
It is hard not to feel sympathy for the party leader in a case like this. What does a party leader do when “every weh him tun, macka jook him”? It appears Mark Golding acted quickly and decisively in removing Dennis Meadows as a representative of the PNP. It is unclear at what point the video was brought to Golding’s attention, but assuming he learnt of Mr Meadows’ utterances when the rest of us did, he took immediate action, as is expected of a leader who says his party is demanding higher standards of accountability. Having done the principled thing, some of his party supporters have now turned on him.
We, the citizens of Jamaica, are not a homogeneous group. Some Jamaicans love the slackness and the vulgarity often displayed within the political arena, and even applaud it. Furthermore, we are often very selective in our condemnation of politicians who say and do inappropriate things. Depending on who the offender is, what they have done for us and whether we like them or not, we sometimes are more than happy to ignore their vices and turn a blind eye to the wrongs they commit. If I’m to understand the sentiments of Mr Meadows’ biggest fan, Mr Meadows is such an asset to the PNP that the national interest should take the back seat.
In any conversation surrounding the selective outrage Jamaicans exhibit towards matters of wrongdoing within the political space, former government minister, Everald Warmington, cannot be left out. For eons now, Jamaicans have wondered what secret Mr Warmington has been keeping for his party, that has given him licence to say literally whatever, however, whenever and to whoever, without sanction.
Warmington is perhaps most notorious for telling a CVM reporter during a 2011 live interview to “Go to hell” before hanging up the phone. But that incident was only one of many vulgar outbursts.
Notwithstanding the continued bad behaviour, Mr Warmington has managed to keep his seat as the member of parliament (MP) for St Catherine South Western since 2002.
INDECOROUS DISPLAY
The latest indecorous display from Mr Warmington was made last week, while addressing party supporters after the local government elections. This time, his comments were not just off-putting or distasteful but compromised the integrity of the electoral system and made a total mockery of the citizen’s vote. Supposedly in a bid to nullify the victory of a winning PNP councillor in his constituency, Warmington said “I am the Minister of Works… Nuh PNP councillor goin’ spend my money”.
First, I’m sorry, whose money? Second, did the former minister think he was in the privacy of his front verandah? Did he mistake all the green around him for his front lawn? It takes something special for one to utter something so obviously wrong, not only as a national leader, but as a national leader standing and speaking in public.
While Warmington may have ‘resigned’ from his ministerial duties, it is almost certain that if allowed to run in the next general election, he will win his seat again. Why?
What matters to many Jamaicans is not good behaviour, respect for law and order or gentlemanly graces. They are willing to turn a blind eye to rude and disrespectful behaviour by politicians, as long as they are taken care of. And apparently, Mr Warmington has been taking good care of his constituents, and no matter his decorum, they will continue to pay their thanks.
An individual’s competence or talent should never be used as an excuse for bad behaviour. The leaders of both political parties have made efforts to distance themselves from the misconduct of party members. But, in a weird turn of events, some Jamaicans prefer to turn a blind eye to bad behaviour, as long as the offender is their favourite MP.