Review of "Life and Debt" by Stephanie Black

The documentary 'Life and Debt,' written by Jamaica King and directed by Stephanie Black, investigates Jamaica's economic and social conditions, particularly the influence of the IMF and World Bank's globalization policies. The film begins with tourists arriving on the island, then quickly transitions to Jamaica's colonial history and its current economic struggles. A narrator points out the irony of tourists enjoying imported food while local industries suffer.

The film features former Prime Minister Michael Manley condemning the IMF's interference in Jamaica's sovereignty. Manley recounts being forced to sign the first loan agreement with the IMF due to a lack of alternatives. Despite Jamaica owing over $4.5 billion to the IMF, the promised development is not evident. IMF recommendations like devaluation, high interest rates, and wage guidelines have led to increased unemployment, corruption, violence, high food costs, and failing hospitals.

Workers in free trade zones, employed by American corporations, earn only $30 USD (M$1,200 Jamaican) per week and are paid in Jamaican dollars, not US dollars. These factories import materials tax-free, depriving Jamaica of much-needed funds. The government also agreed to ban unionization to secure employment. However, NAFTA has caused these jobs to move to other developing countries with even lower labor costs, leaving Jamaica in a difficult position. The chicken industry, once thriving, was undermined by US dumping of low-grade chicken parts, similar to how old chicken was previously sent to Haiti.

Jamaica's preferential tax-free banana import agreement with Britain (Lomé Convention) was challenged by the US government, forcing Jamaica to compete with large US companies like Chiquita and Dole, which produce bananas on a larger scale with cheaper labor from Central America. 'Life and Debt' reveals how these economic policies negatively impact daily life, removing Jamaicans from decisions that affect them. The IMF's policies of monetary strictness, currency devaluation, and wage reductions often lead to recession, while the World Bank's structural adjustments aim to transform economies into free markets. These policies, intended to benefit global economies, often have a devastating impact on third-world countries.

The film uses soul-stirring songs by famous Jamaican artists like Bob Marley, Buju Banton, and Peter Tosh to highlight the dire conditions on the island. The review concludes with the song 'Destiny' by Buju Banton, whose lyrics reflect the struggles and aspirations of the Jamaican people, emphasizing self-determination ('I wanna rule my destiny') and critiquing the wealth disparity and destruction of the poor.