WTH: Articulate Minority?

I couldn’t allow the offensive statement made by Robert Pickersgill to slide by without penning my thoughts. How could a government minister in the year 2014 make such a ludicrous statement that Twitter is a representation of the articulate minority? Which era is this man living in? In this day & age, majority of Jamaica’s population has access to the internet. With the advent of technology, telecommunications giants LIME & Digicel ensures that their service is spread across every nook and cranny of Jamaica. Social media is the new platform for both the articulate & inarticulate to express themselves, nowadays every ‘puss’ and ‘dog’ has a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. In light of this, I simply can’t fathom how Pickersgill could make such an ignorant statement.

From my understanding, Pickersgill was blatantly suggesting that there is scant regard for those who voice their concerns in this country. Making reference to a minority of people who use Twitter and Facebook is a clear indication of what goes through his mind as a policy-maker when minority views are raised.

I would like for the articulate Minister to shed light on what he construes the “ordinary Jamaican” to be as well as to provide a profound definition for ‘articulate’ & ‘inarticulate’ minority. If his definition of ‘inarticulate minority’ happens to be the same as mine, then it would be a crying shame as most of those who meet in Gordon House to make decisions for the country happen to fall in this category.

To my dear ‘tweeps’ & ‘Facebookers’ who fall into the ‘articulate minority’ don’t be dismayed by Pickersgill’s crass comment; continue to voice your opinions using social media, after all its the best medium for self-expression. Unu doah ‘fraid fi loud up dem politicians deh! Gwaan tweet & update status til thy Kingdom come!

In the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Blessings!

Inspired by colleague, Blueblood 🙂

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