THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RIGHTS of Jamaicans have certainly been usurped when Things Jamaican, a production centre, is transformed into a place of confinement.
The entire human resources of this country are devalued and wasted as much time and energy are consumed in discussing and dealing with our debt, our crime and violence and our denigrated society.
Wouldn't it be breath-taking if our energies were centred on education, production and goodwill endeavours instead of trying to keep the knives and guns out of our children's hands and having to deal with the poverty of our masses and the debt of our nation?
England, the US and the rest of the world will continue to disrespect us because our children will continue to climb their fences and disrupt their societies as they seek the food we cannot provide them.
Our corporate companies who boast large profits at year's end must now start to pay attention because as the international fences get higher and harder to climb the trapped and enslaved will become more anxious, and ways and means of finding food and venting frustration will become more impacting.
We as a country need to realise that if we want to help the blind we cannot interview the sighted, we must understand the needs of the blind, likewise if we need to help our young disenfranchised and downtrodden we cannot talk to the police and law enforcers and expect a meaningful solution.
The challenge to this and every Government and established corporations is to implement sustainable programmes to re-socialise our young people, give them hope and provide opportunities for them to utilise their creative abilities in ways that will allow them to restore pride and dignity in themselves and their country.
I am, etc.,
JACOB FORBES
Cascade, Hanover
