Howard Mitchell and Michael McAnuff-Jones | Jamaican Covenant: A blueprint for moral revolution

This collaborative opinion piece has been penned after extensive thought sharing and discussions with a group of concerned senior church leaders who are members and leaders of a pastors association, the Watchman Church Leaders Alliance and a number of laypeople who are equally concerned and would like to see positive reinforcements in the society.

There is a shared consensus among the church leaders that it is past time that the Jamaican society takes stock of itself, make a course correction and move in the direction that fashions a culture that will serve to unify us rather than divide. Further, it should be a path and mindset that encourages collaborations rather than selfishness.

Our common view, and we are sure that of many people in Jamaica, is that we have come so far with so much sacrifice to achieve an amazing economic recovery. It would be a sinful waste to risk our gains with the antisocial and destructive behaviours that have developed because we have neglected or experimented unwisely with our social infrastructure since 1962.

The unfortunate and disastrous global upheaval to what was a painfully fashioned World Order bought by the blood of two World Wars brings an urgent imperative to the need for Jamaica to build a cohesive and just society based on equality of access and respect for human rights. It is in that context that we respectfully argue that the words of our National Anthem, National Song, and National Pledge are not hollow traditions to be merely trotted out routinely at ceremonies, underlined by Jamaica “boom”. They are sacred declarations and promises — the heartbeat of a nation that still dreams of assured freedom, dignity, and righteousness. These words are our mutual covenant, carved into the soul of our people at Independence.

But somewhere along the way, we have drifted.

Our ongoing cry for a Moral Revolution is not a new demand. It is the echo of an ancient vow with its imprint in Holy Scripture, calling us back — back to integrity, back to justice, back to each other. It is a Call to a sacred awakening — a return to the moral foundations upon which this nation was meant to stand.

If Jamaica is to rise again — not just in song and poem, but in substance — then we ALL must agree on the values that are non-negotiable, the attitudes that must define every citizen, every leader, and every child, that will be the terms of our covenant with God, with each other, and of an agreement for our future.

FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS

1. Integrity – “Justice, truth be ours forever.” Integrity is the courage to speak truth even when it costs, to act rightly even when no one sees. It is the full rejection of lies, corruption, and deceit. Without integrity, no nation can stand upright.

2. Justice – “Stand up for justice.” Justice is not a slogan; it is the sacred balance of fairness and equality. It demands that every Jamaican — rich or poor, known or unknown—is treated with equal dignity under law. A just Jamaica cannot be bribed, silenced, or bought.

3. Service – “To the service of my fellow citizens.” Service is love in motion. It is using our strength, skill, and intellect for the good of others. When service becomes the heartbeat of our society, selfishness loses its throne.

4. Universal respect – “Teach us true respect for all.” Respect is the recognition of God’s image in every Jamaican. It means we look beyond politics, colour, class, and creed. Without respect, unity is impossible.

5. Stewardship – “The wisdom and courage of my mind.” We are caretakers, not owners — of this land, this heritage, this freedom. Stewardship means humbly protecting what is entrusted to us: our environment, our institutions, our name. What we destroy today, our children will mourn tomorrow.

6. Brotherhood and peace – “Give us vision lest we perish.” Peace is not the silence of fear, but the music of understanding. Brotherhood means standing as one Jamaican family, resolving conflict not with violence and cass-cass, but with courage, forgiveness, and vision.

SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION

1. From tribalism to patriotism: Let our loyalty no longer be chained to party or personality, but to country and conscience. The new anthem of the heart must be, “Jamaica first, always.”

2. From greed to generosity: “Think generously.” We must trade the hunger to take, for the passion to give. Let us share opportunity, knowledge, and kindness, for only a generous people can build a great nation.

3. From apathy to active citizenship: Enough of the sighs and complaints. Every Jamaican must rise with the pledge, “I will use my strength and vigour for my nation’s good.” See a need, fill it. See a wrong, right it. See a gap, bridge it.

4. From excuse-making to accountability: The moral revolution begins when each of us says, “I am responsible” and we hold each other accountable. Leadership begins in the mirror.

This is not about government mandates . This is about soul work — a covenant that needs to begin in every heart and home, and spills into every school, church, business, and parliament. Yes…. businesses because for many Jamaicans no stronger signal can come than from businesses..

Every time we sing the National Anthem, let it not be performance, but as a prayer. Every time we recite the National Pledge, let it not be habit, but a vow.

A Jamaican moral revolution will not begin in the streets - it has to begin in the human heart. Let us rise now, as one people under God, to “advance the welfare of the whole human race.”

Let this be the call and the path we walk for our new independence, let this be the dawn of the Jamaican Covenant from community council, to parish council, to church council, through unwise counsel, to privy council, through vine dresser to bureau to cabinet, from country to town. Let it begin with you and me.

Howard Mitchell is an attorney and businessman and the former president of The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). Michael McAnuff-Jones is in pastoral ministry and a human resources consultant and vice president of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com