JACKASS SEY DI worl' no level. Jackass sey eena Jumaica de anes smaddy get juk an de dis-anes wan fet tru.
The leader is a much smarter man than his slow talking, a minute between each word, looking over his glasses image would lead us to believe. One of the most telling things that he has said in public is also one of the things that he was most castigated for.
It came after the leader declared a spontaneous national holiday when Jamaica qualified for World Cup '98 (and who saw it had better treasure that moment, cause Jackass sey Jamaica ain't going back to no bleedin' World Cup again, OK?). When asked, "Well boss, yu can jus do dat? Yu no haffi check no one?" the leader replied. "The law is not a shackle..."
Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is deep.
Now, in Jamaica, those to whom the law is a shackle seem to be always getting the crappy end of the stick. The biggest way that it happens is the utility bills. The utility companies collect for what is used, no matter what. There is a slight problem with that though, because there are some areas in this country where the folks just say "We ain't paying no steenen bills". And, what is more, they say 'Come cut off di blouse an skirt if yu bad.'"
And before you go assuming, Jackass is not talking about the beating stick garrison communities here. Some years ago The Gleaner carried a story about uptowners bridging and tiefin more light than ghetto people. So, don't assume that above the class border line is squeaky clean, OK? OK.
Fine, but their light and water have to be paid for, right? So who pays it?
You guessed it. The honest person, that's who.
Then there are other matters, like having a run-in with the cops for something like speeding. You pay them off, thereby joining the system and becoming a dishonest person, and all is well. You do not and you still pay a fine, plus you get a few points off your licence for your troubles.
Or, worse, if you fail to pay by the appointed date or decide to challenge the matter, then you waste a day in court, probably get 'raced up' by the judge for your troubles, and pay the money as well.
Then there is the matter of selling drugs (not ganja, drugs). He who sells and makes it big is not into anything with anyone. The money takes care of it all, from house to hotties. He who does not and tries to work the way through life has it rather rough. Many a rent paid, many a house moved to and the works.
As another saying is reputed to have dropped, in Jamaica he who plays by the rules gets shafted.
Jackass sey di worl' no level. Jackass sey a true we no waan no lie ova we grave we gwaan live ital.
