THE EDITOR, Sir:
BEGGING HAS now become a way of life for many people in Jamaica, both old and young. In fact, it is likely that this is the fastest growing 'industry' in Jamaica, and it is a major 'single employer' of willing hands and crafty minds. I know there are adults who use and manipulate children to beg on their behalf.
I can understand that poverty is an outgrowth of any social system that is exclusionary and is highly discriminatory. I can also understand that there are people, who by their own indolence, lack of thrift and industry have allowed themselves to sink into poverty. We are aware of the myriad of youngsters who are born each year as a result of unbridled and wanton sexual activities - in many cases, children being impregnated by callous, irresponsible males.
Yes, there are needy people out there, but in a society where there are so many tricksters, conmen and 'samfies,' how do you tell the genuine from the counterfeit? There are people out there who are growing rich and carving out a fanciful lifestyle for themselves at the expense of the kind-hearted and unsuspecting public.
Take the case of a one-legged youngster in a certain town who stands by a certain supermarket with a can asking for alms. I don't believe that having one leg renders you unemployable. However, I had every intention to give him a few dollars until I saw him fully engaged in conversation on his cell phone! A friend of mine who told a beggar that she could not give away money that she worked so hard for, was told by the beggar, "Lady, you don't know that begging is hard work?"
I was on my way to Papine to board a bus some years ago after sitting through a gruelling class at UWI. Along the hospital fence the regular old lady was there begging a 'truppance' (three pennies). Then I heard a female voice exclaim, "Miss Rita, a whe you a do deh? A beg you a beg? You should be shame a you self. Is mi landlady dat you nuh."
The old lady disappeared, never to be seen along the hospital fence begging again.
I am, etc.,
CLEVELAND ALLEN
Northern Caribbean University
Mandeville
