THE EDITOR Sir:WHEN THE various media houses shall have compiled their customary 'Year in Review,' many of us will relive moments of horror, as much is made of the bloodiest year in our nation's history. It will also be a year in which many persons took to the streets to publicly register their disgust with the unacceptably high levels of crime and violence in our country. It remains to be seen whether this will be highlighted.
There have been frequent spontaneous protests from many residents in the wake of some kind of injustice (perceived or real), protests by NGOs as well as protests from other sectors of society.
THEIR DISGUST
There was a recent march by representatives of various churches in Spanish Town. In Mandeville, on Monday November 15, more than 1500 students and staff of the Northern Caribbean University showed their disgust which came to a head with the regrettable gruesome murder of Joseph Burrowes.
Now in Kingston, only two days later, hundreds of primary, secondary and tertiary students marched to protest against the high levels of crime and violence in the country. (Interestingly, this protest was organized by the National Centre for Youth Development and had in attendance the Minister of Justice A.J. Nicholson.)
Much energy has been expended, but what really will these marches accomplish? Well, these marches have made the news, thus further registering their protest against crime and violence.
CRITICAL ISSUE
For sure, such protests have their place. But the critical issue is that since the cause of crime and violence is multi-factorial, its remedy is also multi-factorial and multi-dimensional. This must be borne in mind by all and especially all those who rightfully protested.
It seems to me that one of the factors that often gets overlooked is the belief that crime is something 'someone else' commits. A new day will dawn in Jamaica if each protest march is also a precursor to a daily recommitment to a life characterized by truth, honesty, civility, patience, and spiritual and intellectual courage notwithstanding our pain. May God help us so to do!
I am, etc.,
OMAR J. MORRISON
ojmorrison@hotmail.com
Spanish Town, St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
