Much of Jamaica’s inability to maximize human potential and produce to meet global standards, stems from the colonial mentality of flogging, “badness”
and institutional fear which magnify the survival feelings of fear to fight, often when there is no survival situation. This psychological trauma destroys the
intellect and the benefits of educational achievements. Research shows that this “colonial culture” of fear and Rote learning has 90% power overruling the
10% power of educational intelligence or critical thinking. To transform to a culture of world leading innovators, I propose Creativity Learning to develop
intellectual agility. Jamaica has not been able to implement a culture of effective governance and a critical mass of innovative role models. People are 90%
culturally constricted to poverty, neuro-destructive lifestyles, low productivity, remittances, lottery, crime, borrowing and selling state assets to finance
“consumption” and corruption, instead of making innovative contributions to humanity. Jamaicans are being crucified for no real ideological purpose.
Culture eats strategy and intelligence for breakfast says Peter Drucker, famous author. Is it easy to observe the increasing incidents of crimes? Yes, even
though the increasing security forces and churches per square mile are intended to reduce crimes. How many more decades will we go in circles looking in
the wrong places for solutions to crime and low productivity? The 2004 Task Force on Educational Reform Final Report indicates that many students
suffer physical, emotional and cognitive abuse. Their homes, churches and communities lack the training to provide proper protection, nutrition and social
values to effectively develop their cognitive, visual and motor skills. Instead of becoming socially functional, adaptable, spiritually conscious, empathetic
and contributing members of society, our children are being groomed by the culture of vulgarity, 'bad-man-ism', violence, and social irresponsibility.
With twice the population of Jamaica, Singapore and Demark have little police visibility and churches are usually empty, yet criminal murders average 2
to 5 persons per month compared to Jamaica’s 100 persons per month since 1995 according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
For several years, the European Union Economic Partners (EPA) and the National Development Bankers have reported that Jamaican entrepreneurs are
not adequately utilizing the available facilities for export trade and grant funding respectively. Contrary to traditional beliefs, crime and low productivity
are not due to a lack of money or resources from government, religion or business and the resolution goes beyond these colonially cultured ideologies.
Similar to Trinidad, Denmark and Singapore, Jamaica is expected to use its superior human capital, socio-economic wealth and tropical ecosystem to
compete with the big players in the global marketplace. By Vision 2030, in 14 years or less, Jamaica aims to be a first world country of choice to live,
work, raise families and do business. Even after 14 years, are these projections really possible, without addressing the rote of mental slavery, poverty and
neuro-destructive lifestyles enforced by our colonial systems of governance? No. Hence we must cure this Colonial Cancer destroying Vision 2030.
The Deadlock of Jamaica‟s Vision 2030
The “who knows who” leadership, followership and fellowship style of people in GR&B is similar to that of a cult, where people are forced to become
rote learners using the cravings for food, sex, drugs and money to make decisions, instead of using intellectual creativity. This affects our ability to relate
to global players who are not of our colonial habits. The challenge is habits are developed as pieces of flesh interwoven in the brain and are not easily or
effectively removable by flogging, surgery, drugs or powerful words. It will require biological time, best efforts and smart strategies in applying nutrition,
fitness, team accountability support and stimulating creative practices to disintegrate the Colonial Cancer in each Jamaican and develop Intellectual
Creativity. Yes, it requires all hands on board including the Diaspora, local, regional and international stakeholders; otherwise we will remain in deadlock.
Vision 2030 will be an empty barrel if Jamaica fails to develop a critical mass of innovative thinkers and self-directed learners with the ability to commit
to achieving world leading goals beyond short term horizons. Example-1: Instead of colonial rote-based defensive Laws (muscle focus), Jamaica needs
optimistic Laws promoting Intellectual Creativity (mind focus). Instead of the Legal System earning from crime, refocus its mighty resources to cultivate
intellectual creativity and secure the skills, rights, earnings and intellectual properties of Jamaicans in the global marketplace. Intellectual creativity uses
thought to drive action and reduces crime. Colonial Laws see the glass as half-empty –pessimistic; Creativity Laws see the glass as half-full –optimistic.
Can a pessimistic and suppressing colonial system of governance instill hope? Can hell be used to make heaven? Can stone make bread? Definitely not!