THE EDITOR, Sir:
MAN'S INHUMANITY to man was more than visible on TVJ news on Tuesday, February 3. I saw food going to waste when there are so many hungry, starving and malnourished people in Jamaica. These were goods confiscated from poor Jamaican higglers by the security and MPM personnel in their effort to remove illegal vending from our streets.
Don't get me wrong. I am all for law and order but it should be done in a more humane and orderly manner. There are too many barbarians in uniform that show no mercy or heart for the poor and less fortunate even though most of us are from poor backgrounds. It is very hard to understand how deep-rooted this type of behaviour is.
These people "higglers" broke the law but since this is their means of earning a living they should pay a fine for illegal vending and given back their goods or these perishable goods be distributed to our poor, hungry and destitute Jamaicans that roam our streets or even inmates of institutions or infirmaries. To destroy and allow so many bunches of bananas, plantains and other perishable food to go to waste is one of the most heartless, insensitive, inhumane and disgusting acts I have seen for a long time.
It is unfortunate that once most of us have some form of authority we remove ourselves from reality and fail to identify with our poor and needy, who are most times honest and hardworking.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR RADWAY
Knapdale District
Brown's Town P.O.
