Letter of the Day - 'If we must die...'

THE EDITOR, Sir:

TIME AND time again in the history of a nation, a time of decision arises when national pride and Independence demands that the leaders exhibit fortitude and strength.

That time has now come for Jamaica and its leaders.

The Prime Minister has been good enough to appoint a commission of learned people to examine the use of ganja and other aspects of its involvement in the national life.

The conclusions have been laid bare before the nation and wise they appear to be.

The mighty United States has trumpeted, how dare you appear to be independent, indeed how dare you not be a puppet!

Now, do we have the courage to go ahead as a sovereign nation standing up for what we believe?

There have been other instances when we have stood up - same Peoples National Party Government, same kind of decision and the Right Excellent Norman Manley said then "no matter the cost - no trade with South Africa."

Now we must say - no matter the cost, we must do what is right for our people.

Decriminalise and let the Americans see that we can stand up for ourselves.

The words that come to mind were immortalised by Claude McKay.

"If we must die

Let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot

While around us bark mad and hungry dogs

Making their mock at our accursed lot.

If we must die, oh let us nobly die

So that our precious blood may not be shed in vain

When even the monsters we defy

Shall be constrained to honour us through death

Oh, kinsmen, we must meet the common foe

Outnumbered let us show us brave

And for their thousand blows deal one death blow

What, though before us lies the open grave

Like men we will face the murderous cowardly pack

Pressed to the wall

Dying but fighting back.

Up you mighty country, we are Jamaicans, strong and free!

I am, etc.,

Dr. Jephthah Ford

Vanford Medical Centre

1 Pennant Terrace

Kingston 19

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