THE EDITOR, Sir:
A GLANCE at recent news headlines reveals stories that never fail to amaze me. Woman murdered in broad daylight; police station under siege by the heavy 'stone-fire' of school children; the Old Capital terrorised by gangs with no regard for either innocent lives nor the security forces; and still a mystery to me the legalisation of gay marriages in the U.S.
What is becoming of our world? Have we all really gone 'mad, sick, head nuh good?' I pray not.
There is no realistic quick fix to Jamaica's many problems but there is a solution, a gradual process that starts with the youth; the re-embracing of morals, positive values and attitudes to attain higher personal standards. Morality, simply put, is gumption powered by reason, fairness and good for one and all. These are all innate qualities but very few develop them.
Education, as well as maturity, enhances them but, according to American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, very few mature to that level of moral judgement based on the factors highlighted. Hence the laws of the land were created: the diverse ethics of the workplace, the school ground, the church, the street and the home.
We, the next generation, need to embrace such principles plus positive values and attitudes in setting our own personal standards by which we live.
If we absorb positive influences, morals and knowledge to better use personal judgement in attaining higher living standards, proving Kohlberg wrong, we will someday create our ideal Jamaica, our prosperous land of wood and water. Our challenge today is to be our own judges, teachers and leaders with the aid of positive attitudes and principles to change the course for tomorrow.
I am, etc.,
HEZEKAN BOLTON
h_e_z_e@hotmail.com
Spring Village
St Catherine
