THE EDITOR, Sir:THE PALESTINIANS are fighting for their land. In Colombia, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) believe that they are fighting for their country.
In Jamaica, what are we fighting for? What is the reason behind our country being plagued by murders and other violent acts. Some blame it on poverty, some on unemployment, most blame the government.
Others consider the moral decay of our society to be at fault. I believe that all these factors and a myriad of others come into play to effect the turmoil our country is in right now. I cannot begin to understand just how and when "Jamaica the beautiful" became "Jamaica the deadly".
DAYS GONE BY
I am not fortunate enough to remember the days gone by when one could roam the streets to the wee hours of the morning, and only be afraid of the customary "duppy", than the fact that one's life may be taken in an instant. These days people seem to have lost all sense of decency and brotherly love.
At 19, my generation has had to grow up with violence and crime as constant forces in our society. This year the situation will only get worse; murders have reached a frighteningly high level, and I see no sign of it going down. This country has reached the point where I fear that there will be nothing but chaos left for the next generation. Some may think me cynical, but for many young
Jamaicans anarchy is the only thing on the horizon. As young people we are often accused of being unpatriotic, lacking in national pride and unwilling to work hard to make our country better. I think that most of us genuinely love our country and are willing to do what we can to make Jamaica a better place, but the sad truth is that some of us do not see much of a future here.
WELL EDUCATED
In Jamaica today, being well educated does not guarantee someone a good job. I live with the fear that when I finish school I am going to become one of the many students who have completed their studies but cannot find employment. I know that if this is the case I am going to seek as many opportunities abroad as I possibly can. I do not want to leave or abandon my country, but why stay, when there are so few opportunities?
Jamaica is a beautiful country that is blessed with talented and hard-working people. It is just sad that a few villains believe that they have to try to destroy this home of ours. Unfortunately in some ways they are succeeding. In some areas in this country children are afraid to go to school because of gunmen. People are afraid to venture out of their homes for days. Is this the future we want? I wish we could all find a way to stop this cycle before we become a country no one recognises anymore.
I am, etc.,
TENESHA GORDON
fonsigirl5@yahoo.com
