The scintillating sounds of reggae music, the record-breaking performances of sporting elites and the beauty and serenity of white sand beaches give Jamaica a place on the world map. A powerful island nation with many great achievements, Jamaica has much of which to be proud. Despite our successes and international glory, the level of crime and violence, internal corruption and intolerance for homosexuality have served to mar our global image.
Murder and other violent crimes have become increasingly prevalent in the Jamaican society. A 1998 Interpol Report on global crime rate, ranks Jamaica fourth in the world for number of murders per 100,000 persons. The majority of the violent crimes in Jamaica's metropolitan areas, especially Kingston, is associated with gangs and politics. Jamaicans are extremely passionate about social and political issues and, in the most populous areas, such passion can sometimes find destructive outlets. Impromptu demonstrations have been known to occur and can escalate into riots or shootings. For as long as Jamaica has been a popular vacation spot, the island’s reputation for crime and violence has preceded it, often overshadowing the many wonderful aspects Jamaica has to offer its visitors. The United States State Department has issued travel advisories about crime rates, particularly in Kingston and Jamaica’s own Tourist Board offers tips and warnings for keeping safe while visiting. With a recorded 1574 murders committed in 2007, locals constantly live in fear and foreigners are discouraged from visiting our island home.
The problem of corruption jeopardizes Jamaica’s economic stability and prosperity. Corruption can take the form of treason, misappropriation of funds, extortion, bribery and black market operations. In 2005, Transparency International (TI) ranked Jamaica 64th out of 158 countries on its Corruption Perception Index. This Report placed Jamaica at 4th out of 6 Caribbean nations based on the degree of corruption that is perceived to exist among politicians and public officials. Once corruption is associated with a certain person, company, government or country, it is difficult to shed the stigma. Jamaican businesses actively seek Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and corruption only makes economic relations more complex and less forthcoming. Standard and Poor’s, provider of independent investment research and data, gives investors a 50 to 100 percent chance of losing their entire investment in countries with corruption like Jamaica. The struggling economy is indicative of failure to secure adequate foreign investment capital despite prospects for suitable development. Jamaica therefore pays an economic price as a result of the height of corruption that pervades international perception of the country.
Jamaican culture is such that it exudes a vehemence of intolerance towards homosexuality. Dancehall music as a form of social commentary expresses deep-rooted disgust with same-sex relationships. Popular lyrics such as Buju Banton’s “Boom Bye Bye”, Capleton’s “Slew Dem” and TOK’s “Chi Chi Man” have not only served to express the general sentiment of the people , but have also prompted physical violence towards those labelled as homosexuals. The lyrical content and lewd nature of theses songs have, on numerous occasions, precipitated a spur of mob beatings islandwide. International human rights activists and groups like the American-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAAD) have branded Jamaica as a homophobic nation. They have successfully lobbied in recent times to ban Jamaican musical acts from international showcases, as in the recent cancellation of Sizzla’s whirlwind tour of the United Kingdom. While many songs which echo anti-gay perspectives are widely accepted on the home front, they spark global concerns which negatively impacts on reggae music, Jamaican culture and the island as a vacation destination.
Indubitably, negative images of Jamaica are greatly pronounced and are more readily highlighted than the great advances that have been made. Excellence in music and sports coupled with our democratic political framework and potential for investment opportunities, serve to uphold Jamaican fame and renowned status. High crime rates, exorbitant corruption and gross disregard for human rights only play the role of dismantling Jamaica’s good name both locally and across the seas.
