By Francine Black, Staff Reporter

I often wonder what black history month means to Jamaicans. We carry features about how our forefathers survived the worst to give us the best. But many of us have failed to learn the lessons of their time.

When I look at what is happening in Jamaica, I cannot help but feel that we have lost sight of those lessons of freedom, equality, love and unity that our forefathers fought so hard for us to have. Instead, we have spent our years of freedom to tear down and belittle each other.

Some Jamaicans have just moved up and forgot about those at the bottom. We have allowed envy, anger and fear to keep us from achieving our true potential.

Case in point, look at the current state of the local music industry. Every artiste in Jamaica sings the praises of Reggae icon Bob Marley, yet the story of "one love and one heart" that he preached is not practised by the artistes.

Instead, artistes have allowed their personal problems to separate them and ultimately the business. Artiste taking artiste off shows, artistes preaching violence and disrespect to each other using the spoken word are just some ways that this lack of love is manifested.

Two sided

It is clear that these artistes are two sided. They laud Bob Marley and ask for unity and peace, but at the same time, they are using violence and force to harm fellow artistes.

This sort of behaviour has played out in so many other areas of our society. The politicians openly trace each other and use material against others to campaign. Yet, as a member of Parliament they do the opposite and ask their constituents to be peaceful and unite.

I love you

There is a song that gospel artiste Hezekiah Walker sings that should truly be the things guiding our lives and our time on earth. A section of it says, "I pray for you , you pray for me. I love you, I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you, I need you to survive."

Black History month comes each year and many of us simply go through the motions. We don't listen, we don't contemplate, we have not used the lessons highlighted to make our lives and country better.

But this year, I hope Jamaicans will, no matter their race, vow to make the lives of someone else better. In addition, stop the in-fighting and start building up each other. And, to really use their talents and powers to help each other get to where they should be. To help each other to survive.

Email francineblack@lycos.com.