THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to address the following to your columnist Garth Rattray:
Dear Dr. Rattray:
Thank you for your insightful article 'We are worlds apart'. As you have so correctly stated, there is a wide gulf of difference in how these two societies in one country approach and solve the same issues.
But the question that begs to be asked is why is it that the less advantaged of the two can't seem to surmount even their most basic problems, much less the more difficult ones? Some in our island's intelligentsia will quickly proclaim that it is because they are denied opportunities to advance. But if that were the case, then absolutely everyone of little means in Jamaica would be condemned to a life of destitution. But I'm sure you personally know of quite a few individuals who through hard work, perseverance, good morals, and wisdom, have risen above that.
CLASSIC EXAMPLE
A classic example would be Michael Lee-Chin who went from humble gardener to self made billionaire who could buy us, sell us, and buy us back again. Even if they are not living the middle class dream, at least their life has a measure of order and peace to it.
No Dr. Rattray, I don't think it's just that. I think the reason actually goes a lot deeper than that. Allow me to share with you an observation I have made over the years. The ghetto is not a place. It is not a race It is not even a socio-economic condition. The ghetto, is a state of mind. The ghetto is a prevailing mentality that traps its people into a never ending cycle of making one bad decision after another.
I fully admit, this does sound rather elitist. But consider this; Suppose we took everyone from the ghettos...Rema, Trench Town, Concrete Jungle, where ever, and put them all up in Norbrook, Havendale, and Beverly Hills. Not only that, we give them all the wealth that goes with it. Then we take all the people in these upscale communities and put them to occupy the now emptied ghetto areas. A complete reversal if you will! Now what do you think would happen to these areas? I'll tell you what will happen.
THE GHETTOS
Within less than a year, the upscale communities will be just like the ghettos, inclusive of all the gunmen, the high, out-of-wedlock childbirths, and the usual anarchy and mess that characterises the ghetto. All the wealth given to these ones will be squandered on girls, bling-bling, ganja, and crack cocaine. Bob Marley is an excellent example by the way he lived his life, even after becoming wealthy, that, although you can take the man out of the ghetto, you can't always take the ghetto out of the man.
Meanwhile, in what used to be the ghetto, you will see the area starting to look clean and well taken care of. The anarchy will be gone. The people that were stripped of their wealth will make a start in getting on financially sound ground again.
Elitist thinking some say? Perhaps. But can anyone prove me wrong? No one is condemned to the ghetto simply by reason of being born there. But rather, by the way they foolishly live their lives in immorality, dishonesty, and lack of sound judgement, they instead, condemn themselves to a life of heartache, poverty, misery, and quite often, jail time, or worst, an early, violent, death. We're talking about people who, even though they have grown up physically, are still, mentally, like selfish little children, unable to resolve conflicts. Don't believe me? Next time you see a ghetto denizen getting into a quarrel, notice how it is that they seemed to have matured only up to 8 years old and no further. They're like children in adult bodies.
I am, etc.,
PETER HOPKINS
yamdigger@hotmail.com
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
