The harsh reality
published: Monday | June 30, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I FIND it necessary to comment on the Letter of the Day titled "secure our own court" written by Hugh Smythe published on Sunday, June 15, 2003.
Our problems in Jamaica, in particular, and the Caribbean, in general, are of a sociological and psychological nature as Ian Boyne pointed out sometime ago that it is socially based. We, as a people, are still suffering from mental slavery where we do not respect ourselves and we view our own race as the enemy.
There is an urgent need for unity and togetherness among our people. We need to produce on a much larger scale adults who can function beyond the level of a 12-year-old; we need homes with mothers and fathers; we need to cut down on the number of persons being brought up on the basis of neglect. We need to respect human lives. The excuse that poverty is the cause, does not hold water because there are other poorer countries with less facilities that produce better quality people.
It is not so much that something is wrong with your emphasis on independence, but that was the same thoughts which led us to remove from under British rule, and for 40 years, we are still trying to prove a point. It is not that we are not capable Sir, but until we can identify the root of our problems and attack them, we will never be ready for true independence. Do not let racism blind us to the truth. Already, it is very difficult for the poor to obtain justice in any area of this country. What will happen at that time?
It sounds harsh but that is the reality! Let us not fool ourselves otherwise.
