Perspective 2 “My Leader Born Here” Was Not Anti-Diaspora

The invaluable contribution of the diaspora from all overseas locations like in Canada, UK, United States or elsewhere cannot be over stressed. We could not have succeeded as we have  … with say our balance of payment and foreign debt without your investments and remittances.  Our Net International Reserves (NIR) have been boosted by your remittances, to say the least. You could have turned your backs on your native lands like Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago or Haiti to name a few countries in the Caribbean or region … as many deadbeat dads have on their children.

Dirty Politics

So the PNP’s 1976 campaign slogan “My Leader Born Here” was pure dirty politics intended to embarrass the then JLP leader & later PM Edward Seaga who was born in the USA.  This was bordering on racism or ethnic cleansing skillfully disguised as nationalism by a desperate PNP eager for State power. It resembles a Trump- like tactic in which you appeal to the base with race or ethnicity to hopefully gain support.

Diaspora

The diaspora has been our virtual saviour in bad and good times and therefore no sensible government would be so naive as to ignore this most valuable constituent.

Dr. Peter Phillips

Opposition Leader Dr. Peter Phillips was allegedly either a cabinet member and Minister or both in 1976  … so cannot be absolved of political responsibility for that dirty political campaign of the then PNP government (1976).

In my perspective if you sew division you cannot expect to reap unity. What is your perspective?  Only a praedial thief reaps what he has not sewn.  It was a short-sighted campaign but was hopefully not intended to disrespect or ignore the diaspora.

It is my further perspective that it could not have been PNP’s intention to ignore the value of the diaspora to nation building. They the PNP, are known to do  crazy things. Like attacking Andrew Holness’ house in their 2016 campaign. JLP’s Dunn will win in Southeast St. Mary by-election based on the polls.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.