THE EDITOR, Sir:HOW ANY individual expects to be treated by his fellowman is not only a matter of reciprocity but rests largely on how that fellowman has been socialised. Over the past decade or two, the responsibility for the socialisation of children and young people seem to have been removed from the parents and the home where acceptable standards and proper ethics should be established in order to mould worthy characters.
Neither the man who allegedly entreated the 'sexy judge' to 'come here nuh' nor the popular DJ whose expression of gratitude to another judge was a provocative 'tank yuh dahling', may have considered their actions to be flippant or obnoxious. I do believe, that, had they known better, they would have done better. In this liberalised and egalitarian society it would seem that without any social and economic barriers, anyone is licensed and unrestrained to be rude and uncivilised.
The use and understanding of simple words like 'thank you', 'please' or 'excuse me' are now either meaningless or irrelevant and if someone shouts 'Due respect' it could very well be only in reference to a racehorse at Caymanas Park. If we are serious about changing the status quo, we must declare a war on the monsters named indiscipline and crudity.
Daunting though the task at hand is, we must begin to re-train and re-culture our citizenry with special emphasis on the young people. The support systems must include the home, family, teachers, mentors, and facilities bolstered by programmes created to enrich their lives, self-esteem, self-respect, spiritual and social development. Studies and our history have proven that young people who are involved in local and national organised social and cultural activities are less likely to become miscreants.
Fancy speeches about values and attitudes cannot suffice by themselves and by our deeds we must help to create an environment where young people will not only rely on training from the streets or television, but through access to experienced and trusted advisers, civic tutoring, mental and fitness activities as well as community services.
Regrettably, we cannot turn back the pages to times long gone when we were more civil and judicious but we have the present and the times yet to come. With the will and determination to make a change, we must all try together lest we all fail together.
I am, etc.,
SONIA CHRISTIE
Stewart Town P.O.
Trelawny
