THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM indeed disturbed by the fact that after 40 years of political independence, over 50 per cent of Jamaicans have indicated their desire to revert to British colonial rule.
It may be said that this yearning for the "good old" days of British rule, is synonymous with a 40-year-old man who desperately wants to return to the protective arms of his mama as soon as he experiences difficulties in the outside world.
Yes, I strongly deplore the current level of lawlessness that plagues the Jamaican society today. Yes, I am saddened by the economic plight of a significant number of people, especially the downtrodden and forgotten peasantry.
Nevertheless, in spite of these perennial frustrations and hardships, I do not yearn for the "good old" days with its trappings of class and privileges based on skin colour. I do not yearn for the days when about 98 per cent of all eligible students were denied access to a high school education. I do not yearn for the days when blacks were denied employment in the banks and civil service. I do not yearn for the days when blacks could not set foot in the hotels and on many of the beaches. And the long list of inequities goes on and on.
It is true that successive governments have not performed in accordance with our expectations since independence. Indeed, they have failed miserably. But this state of affairs does not mean that we should start behaving like a spoilt immature 40-year-old man who is eager to return to the protective arms of his dear mom as soon as he runs into difficulty. Instead, all Jamaicans should take a more active role in conducting the affairs of that beautiful island.
I am etc.,
RUPERT JOHNSON
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada, M1C 3M7
