THE EDITOR, Sir:THE INCIDENT of a knife fight which interrupted the Girls' and Boys' Champs on Saturday night, follows other horrible incidents of people, particularly young people, being attacked over seemingly insignificant and meaningless things and draws the nation into yet another level of outrage and fear. We continue to ponder the question: What has gone so wrong that our children can no longer go about being children and enjoy themselves without the risk of being killed in their own neighbourhood, in their own country?
Nothing it seems is simply enjoyable anymore without some form of violence, sex or ridicule. The thing we knew as fun no longer exists and this is unfortunate.
The daily cases of violence coming from simple accusations, demonstrations for water to flow through pipes, and politicians who are unable to control themselves and who resort to ridicule to spite, all come down to one thing: a general feeling of a lack of respect.
The people of this country no longer feel that their wishes and needs and will to survive are respected. It is the same for the youth pointing a gun at someone's head eliciting a plea for life or handing over of property, as it is for the man standing on the podium being jeered and taunted who, unable to react any other way, uses insulting words to level the playing field. The man with the placard blocking the road for a little water who is later appeased by a few gallons, simply feels less than the other man around the hill who is able to turn his tap at will and do something as commonplace as take a bath. Daily he asks himself the question of what is it about him that is so different that no one thinks enough of his existence to offer him some water, water which the privileged have at abundance and waste in like manner.
So too the youth, with no hope for the future, subconsciously laments his hopelessness and sees others, just like him, or with even less, prospering and squandering and takes enjoyment in the collective fear he can bring to a community when he wields a gun and makes everyone shake. It is a sick sense of satisfaction he gets from being respected, through fear, if only by killing people.
Many feel that hope lies in a sound and healthy family support system and this may very well be true. But what happens when the family is in a dismal situation itself, and so too the community? Who is to provide guidance and show the way forward? The responsibility then comes down to the leaders of the country and the social infrastructure they provide. Along with fighting crime, our government and those in positions of power must do everything to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for all to succeed.
People should not be asking for water or light where it should be provided. If water is to be trucked, then on the days promised, the truck must appear and if not, an explanation given and some other plan put in place. If the job is to provide education to a particular point in a person's life, then the same education as that provided for the privileged must be provided. And when these persons are educated, there must be some way for them to take this education and make something of themselves. There must be moving on from one type of life to another.
And finally, our politicians must lead by example. What's the point of touting family values, honesty and caring, if they themselves cannot demonstrate this? If they themselves cannot debate in a civil and orderly manner even for a few hours? What is the point if they cannot deliver on a promise?
We are at a crossroads in this country, where it is either do like them or die and where strong, focused, unselfish leadership is needed to guide us through the gridlock of the middle.
I am, etc.,
CHARMAINE MORRIS
charmmorris@hotmail.com
Kingston 10
