THE EDITOR, Sir:
WORLDS APART but still less than five miles separate the upper class and the less privileged in the ghetto communities. Jamaica has seen over the last 40 years, a greater divide between the haves and the have-nots. Yes, the have-nots have seen some improvement in the standards of living, which is driven by the migration boom of the '60s and '70s and to a lesser extent the changes in the general lifestyle of the country.
Yet, the upper class moves more behind high walls and security guards and electronic gates. They are only mimicking those who live in the 'zinc fence' communities. Zinc fences are erected as security measures and for privacy, no different from the gated communities, only that the security guards are not paid and are called dons or protectors; also, there are no electronic gates because there is no electricity. So why do we appear to make those less privileged believe they are lesser human beings by isolating ourselves from them?
The government had started the programme to reduce the zinc fence syndrome but no sooner these communities are restored to their previous 'zinc fence' status, the gated communities were increasing and getting stronger. Don't we see that we are continuing to further isolate those we need to reach out to and to help?
How many of us can say we have been behind these zinc fences? To see the hungry faces of children and the stony faces of the young men eager to get a better way of life by whatever means possible. There are human beings there some with great ambitions and aspirations stifled by your stereotype behaviour and thinking and lack of support by private and government agencies. Let us reach out and save someone.
I am, etc.,
SNAPPY
