Budget speech: Michael Manley then Prime Minister (5 may 1973)

This is an excerpt from the budget presentation given by Michael Manley on the May 5th 1973. You can purchase Delano Franklyn's book "Michael Manley: Politics of Equality," if you want the complete transcript of this and other budget speeches delivered by Michael Manley from 1969 to 1991.

In this speech, Manley speaks about his plans for education reform and the role of National Youth Service. At minute 8:43 'till the end, Manley outlines his political philosophy: The Politics of Change.

"We talk of change, What is change? Change is the willingness to look at your system and have the courage to know what is wrong. More is not change. Change is to reorder the values of your life. Change is having a vision of a new hope for society...The system by which we can achieve power for our people and freedom that is a change. The means where people sacrifice now for a great day tomorrow, where we will march together in the name of work, in the name of justice, because the word is LOVE."

I encourage all to listen to this speech from at least 8:43, for you will hear the words and the passion of a man loved his country, saw what was wrong and had the courage to change it.

CIA Operations In Jamaica during the 1970s

The following video talks about the CIA operations that occurred during the 1970s aimed at destabalizing Michal Manley's government. The adage goes "if what you say or write doesn't piss someone off, then you aren't doing enough." If that is the case, then Manley's democratic socialist vision for Jamaica must have been VERY progressive. According to this agent, between 1976 and 1980 the CIA an operation in Jamaica larger than any African country.

Watch the video and decide for yourself.

"Children learn your history or you won't get no supper" -K'naan

Gil Noble interview Michael Manley

The following is the recording of former PM Michael Manley being interviewed by Gil Noble in 1977. Not only did I find these interviews inspirational, but it shows that Manley was a man who understood how the global political system worked. He tried to move JA in the right direction, and maybe was ahead of his time. I thought part 4 was particularly impressive.