That's what happens when you personify hopes and dreams in one person. He becomes nothing more than a literary device.
Sir Arthur George Jennings narrates these lines from beyond the death gates, giving readers a sort of forewarning about placing unrealistic expectations and expecting not to be disappointed when those expectations fall short.
While Jennings' warning of personifying "hopes and dreams in one person" can be applied to several people, we understand that the one character for whom this is most applicable is the Singer. Though there was no direct entitlement of "father of a nation" on the Singer, with the way he came to represent Jamaican cultural identity in the story, that title of such a high value could be applied to him. And so, his character, though mentioned throughout the novel indirectly by other characters, never really came into focus and thus reduced to a "literary device".
I hate politics. I hate that just because I live here I'm supposed to live politics. And there's nothing you can do. If you don't live politics, politics will live you.
Nina's frustration in these lines really shines through in every word. The political situation in Jamaica had been stifling enough already but it becomes even more frustrating on a personal level for Nina after the robbing at her parents' house. She feels frustrated by the announcement of Jamaican Prime Minister who declared that citizens can leave Jamaica if they don't favor the current situation. But Nina feels enraged that this is the only alternative against the cruel political scene faced by the citizens. Ignoring or distancing yourself from politics is not even an option, as Nina claims.
No future for no dark girl in Jamaica, despite black power bullshit. I mean, look who just win Miss World.
The prejudice and colorism remain prevalent in society, even in places such as Jamaica. The cynicism in these lines might be harsh and cruel but they aren't far off from the reality that Josey Wales and his family witness every day.
As Josey says these lines to his daughter who is light-skin, he speaks from his personal experience of seeing a difference in the treatment of darker-skin people as compared the light-skinned folks. His pessimistic views against the "black power" movement emerge from the treatment of dark-skin women in Jamaica, an example being the winner of 1979 Miss World Gina Swainson who was a light-skin woman.
