Life and Debt - Jamie Hughes

            After watching Life and Debt by Stephanie Black, I was left with some very mixed feelings. In short the film took two completely different ‘worlds’ and contrasted them to explain the privileges or lack thereof by both the mainstream U.S. population (any other tourists) and Jamaicans, to show how the government has destroyed the Jamaican economy. There were a few things I liked and did not like about this film.

            First, I do not think it was in either populations best interested to produce the film in the way Stephanie did. By showing rich v. poor, which is a common way of looking at things, it did neither case justice. To me, it portrayed Americans as greedy, stuck-up, egocentric people instead of hard working individuals that, not always by choice, were born with certain privileges. Many of us are taught that if we work hard and save our money, it is OK to treat ourselves to vacation. Why do we have to be portrayed as horrible people for that? And then portray the Jamaican population as this poverty stricken society that is turning hopeless? I just don’t get it. I feel that there are better ways to go about this issue, such as taking the problem and turning it into a more positive message and show Jamaicans that are empowered for change and what they have done to gain a better economy. Sure there still needs to be a negative picture on government, but I feel that is much better than a cross-comparison of everyday U.S. citizens.

            Secondly, I do feel Stephanie did a great job in explaining the overall issues that Jamaica is going through by interviewing locals, clips of the land before and after government implementation, and showing the factories where many men and women lost their jobs. It is one thing to be told these things from historians or other public figures, but to hear from locals and see images and footage of the events really hit home for me.

            Third off, just to clarify my earlier statements about the comparison of mainstream U.S. citizens and Jamaicans, I do understand there is a large cultural and economic difference but many times this is exemplified in the wrong way. As a middle class student who has a job in the corporate world, I realize I have many privileges that others do not, but I do not appreciate the idea that I should feel bad that I have them. I also do not like the image that films like this put on other cultures, which is largely to feel bad for them and give them sympathy. I do not feel bad for the Jamaicans because they are strong people who are educated and very knowledgeable of the situation they are in. I feel it is wrong what the government is doing to them and want to support the movement of creating a better life for them, but I do not feel bad. What they need is love and support – this film did not portray that. I am not a bad person for going on vacation in Jamaica and living with certain privileges – this film did not portray that either.