THE EDITOR, Sir:I SAW a letter in The Gleaner by Anthony Moyston regarding obstruction of the beach and noise in Negril. He asks why these things are allowed to continue, and I have the answer.
It is because of something not tangible, something insidious, something terminal, that has taken place and is taking place in the minds of our population, be they lawmen, garbage collectors, scientists or teachers.
A generation has come into maturity, which has no sense of decency, morality or the need to comply with the laws. These people are distributed in strategic positions across the length and breadth of Jamaica. They are policemen, lawyers, politicians, managers of businesses, etc. They are breeding another generation of even more brutal copies of themselves.
Their children learn what they themselves have been taught: no mercy, no compassion, no time, get out of my way or be hurt. I want mine, and will do whatever is necessary to get it. I must have lots of money, power over others around me, and the biggest, most expensive vehicle on the road. I don't care about you unless you can get me where I want to go.
Jamaica is caught in an ever-expanding web of crime, fear, destruction of the environment and people who hate each other. Yesterday on Hope Road I saw a security vehicle parked, and two officers, one with a drawn handgun, were standing by the vehicle. Walking down the road past them was a small group of about five men, and every one of these mostly young men suddenly grew huge grins on their faces. Can it be that the sight of a drawn gun right beside them amuses them? Hopefully, the grins are really defensive grins of fear and innocence.
The terrible environmental destruction taking place all around us, with deforestation, the beaches and the coral reefs, mangroves etc., the totally out of control and obscene noise from music systems in cars and from clubs islandwide, the abusive and maniacal behaviour of drunk or ganja-inspired drivers on our roads are all the result of the coming of age of that selfish and contemptuous type of personality which is fast becoming our collective Jamaican persona, whether we care to admit it or not. Those of us who are truly good people, caring, principled and hard working, are now approaching an unwanted but inevitable destination - a minority statistic.
Nevertheless, to those of us who are trying hard to make an honest living and contribute something worthwhile, and who read this and feel discouraged, I say, you know what you are made of, and you cannot and will not give up now, and I quote from a well-known verse:
If all that shone afar so grand
Turn to nothing in your hand
Remember that the virtue lies
In the Struggle, and not the prize.
I am, etc.,
L. DUPERROUZEL
33 Waterloo Mews
Kingston 10.
