Blaming Jamaica
published: Tuesday | February 18, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The next time that a Caribbean country plays host to foreign guests, they should perhaps do their homework.
The crime that has hit the streets of Toronto is not a result of Jamaican gangs. Many of these gang members are first-generation Canadians, which makes them products of the Canadian society. So how does Jamaica become responsible for these youths? I find it very hard to believe that Canadian youths may have connections to the streets of Jamaica.
I am from Grenada and I sympathise greatly with the Jamaican community in Toronto. Every time crime gets out of control in the city, the media and the police immediately cast the blame on the Jamaican community. I feel that this is purposely done to separate the various Caribbean groups living in Toronto, and also to avoid dealing with our own social problems.
I am a Black male, so I don't feel that this is only a Jamaican problem. When a policeman stops me in Toronto, they don't ask me where I am from. All that matters is my skin colour. Mr Fantino could go to Jamaica and pretend that all is well between the Black community and the police in Toronto. However, Mr Fantino, we know that all is not well and when you come home on Thursday, you will still have the same crimes being committed by our Canadian youths.
