Beauty pageant organisers make clarification

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AN ARTICLE in yesterday's The Gleaner under the heading, "Christina Gonzalesa is Miss Teen Jamaica 2001" although written with the best of intentions has caused some misunderstanding and a number of people have been accusing us of promoting violence among children.

We refer to paragraph seven of the article, which reads: "According to the organisers each girl represented a country currently at war. Of course, one of the most interesting representatives was our own Jamaican dressed in baggy pants, T-shirt, with a gun in her waist who introduced herself bigging up all the Denham Town, Tivoli, Seaview, Grants Pen, etc."

Sir, the article failed to mention that at the start of the function, Mrs. Ouida McDonald welcomed everyone and informed the patrons that the evening's proceedings was dedicated to 'World Peace'. She spoke of the many people who had died all over the world and in particular Jamaica. She told the audience that things could not continue to go on like that.

She then asked the audience to observe a moment of silence in tribute to those who had died over the years and told them that the contestants were dressed as 'nationals' from countries that were experiencing war or social unrest at this time and that their 'peace song' and skit were in tribute to the many, many people who senselessly lost their lives all over the world, especially Jamaica.

At the end of the song each contestant went up to the mike and introduced herself in her 'native tongue' and declared that she was a KID AGAINST WAR. The Jamaican representative (dressed as described by The Gleaner's article) 'big up' the people in the inner-city communities and called on the country leaders to do everything possible to bring an end to crime. She too declared, she was a kid against war and demonstrated this as the peace song said (throw away your guns) and threw her 'gun' on stage.

I am, etc.,

SHARON GAYLE

2 Ricron Road

Kingston 3

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