THE EDITOR, Sir:
TIMES ARE very hard these days. The pressure being experienced by numerous groupings is barely tolerable but survival persists and life goes on.
However, it is not quite clear whether the behavioural characteristics being exhibited by ordinary citizens on the streets when they experience certain problems is a result of tension emanating from the difficulties being experienced by these groupings or is it a different culture being developed in our country.
Reference here is being made to the manner in which ordinary people on the streets react when they are disappointed with the quality of service they receive from the authorities or when community members experience what they regard as maltreatment from the police or other groupings. The typical response is demonstration - blocking of streets with attendant improper boisterous and abusive behavioural patterns. Shouts of 'we waan justice' and other claims are made in a most uncivil manner to the media.
There is no doubt that there are many intolerable conditions prevailing in many communities and that some residents feel that their appeals are not accorded adequate attention. There is no doubt that these conditions in many instances require urgent attention. However, some means have to be devised to instil in these people that raucous behaviour is not the appropriate manner to display their sentiments. Some method has to be found to convince them that civil yet coercive approaches with the appropriate authorities will be more effective and acceptable in terms of moral standards.
When our children are exposed to behavioural patterns like these and other undesirable characteristics being displayed on the streets in the homes etc. they will simulate these patterns to the detriment of theirs and future generations.
Should therefore the electronic media not establish more acceptable standards for these sentiments to be aired to the public? A culture of discipline and civility needs to be instilled in the society.
I am, etc.,
ALFONSO JACQUES
alfonsjac@yahoo.com
Via Go-Jamaica
