Today, The Gleaner presents the thoughts of John Burns, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and London Bureau Chief for the New York Times, on some positive aspects of Jamaica.

I grew up in an England where many Jamaicans arrived in the 1950s and '60s and became major stake-holders in our society. Just one name comes to mind - Michael Holding is perhaps the single-most appreciated cricket commentator in England.

There are many Jamaicans who have made an enormous place for themselves in England and the United States, and the most obvious name that comes to mind there is Colin Powell.

What a tremendous credit it is to this island, with a population of less than three million people that, within one generation of Colin Powell's parents crossing the seas to New York, a person of Jamaican origin could become the second-most powerful person in the United States.

Who in this world did not thrill at the events this summer in Beijing?

I cannot even think about that moment without a slight shiver. I don't think we have ever seen, or ever again will see, an athletic performance as stunning as that of your countryman.

So, take cheer, you have many problems, it's evident. But you have a functioning democracy, you have great public servants, you have a lively press and these are the things that will, in the end, bring you through all this.