THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS taken aback by the comments of some Jamaicans who expressed their sentiments in the aftermath of the Braeton tragedy.
Most people said, "Dem fe dead! Dem a criminal!" I don't know how they came to be convinced of this. Certainly, that these men are being perceived as criminals; up to now still remains just that a perception.
However, people who feel that these men should die without trial should be overlooked. Maybe they are simply over-reacting to the level of brutal violence now taking place. On the other hand, why wish death without trial for others, unless we wish the very same for ourselves.
If it is true that these men were killed under questionable circumstances by the police, then to hail it in this way is to condemn ourselves to the mercy of the police, harbouring only faint hope that they will discriminate when our turn comes.
I am also surprised at the apparent lack of understanding of the principle of justice by some Jamaicans. At the very least, we should understand that the pendulum of justice swings both ways. If we can't be bothered, or find it inconvenient to understand balance as a feature of justice, then do we deserve it?
When the Romans were about to crucify Christ, Pilate asked them what crime had he done. Well the question was never answered by them. Evidently they were not concerned about that as answering such a question would not logically lead them to their foregone objective, i.e. crucify Him.
May God help us.
I am, etc.,
DERRICK SIMON
Camp David
Golden Spring
Box 2542
Kingston 8
