THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RECENT killings of the Braeton Seven have stirred public debate and have pointed to the people's frustration both with the levels of crime and with the operations of the police. Whatever your take on it is, one can hardly keep silent about this issue. I am reminded of the words of Jesus to the accusers of a woman whom they claimed had been caught in adultery and as such deserving of death by stoning: "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone..." (John 8:7).
Yet, we cannot deny that the events point to many things that are wrong and for which someone or something must be held responsible.
It is clear that the average Jamaican has no sympathy for anyone even suspected of criminal activities. As a result, tolerance levels are low and we are prone to excesses in our demands for the eradication of crime and criminals. It is wrong, however, to allow the fear and desperation we feel as a nation to give licence to any action that smacks of injustice from any quarter in the society. Injustice begets injustice.
Undoubtedly the police are operating against the odds to regain lost ground in the 'war' on crime. It is wrong that a public servant should be risking his or her life for the benefit of others and not be supported by them but instead be faced with so many demands and ultimatums. What is equally wrong is that so many hardened criminals are allowed to go scot-free every day because of one hitch or another in the justice system.
Something must be wrong when teenagers have dropped not only out of school but through the cracks of a society with absolutely no safety net. In addition, what is to become of the many young men whom the regular school system 'chucks' out every year because they just can't manage them?
What is also wrong is the threatening manner with which Amnesty International is attempting to help us address our human rights abuses. "Duppy know who fi frighten".
My greater fear, however, is that with all the stone-throwing the debate around the Braeton killings will continue only to look at the surface and not engage with the root causes of the problem. We need not only soul-searching but radical action for change.
The declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that he will defend Jamaica "head to head" against the threats of Amnesty International to take the case to the international community is little comfort that we will get the appropriate action from the government. So, it is over to the community groups, NGOs, churches and schools.
It is time that we realise that the problems of the Jamaican family are not going to just go away and we need to provide more support systems for those who suffer from the ill effects. If we don't get to the root problems there will be many more Braetons to mourn and debate about.
I am etc.,
DAVE HAZLE
E-mail: Discotsman@netscape.net
Edinburgh, Scotland
Via Go-Jamaica
