THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOMETIME AGO a handful of Jamaicans decided to scatter a few seeds in some parts of Kingston. Because there were good nutrients in the soil at these locations, tiny trees started sprouting up. While they were ignored by the people who passed by them daily, the planters knew that one day, they would make good shades for them and their heirs.
The plants grew moderate to slow by sending some roots deep down out into the soil, and spread their branches far and wide. As the plants grew, the people put in charge of the land where they were did not see it fit to trim the branches or cut some of the roots that started to become a nuisance to some of the residents in their respective vicinities. Maybe they (the people in charge) also recognised that they could also use these trees as shades.
The roots from the original trees started sending up other plants, this time at a faster rate than before. This trend continued and as each plant produced more and more offspring, what was bare land a few years before, became a forest. The passers-by started taking notice, made some half-hearted complaints to the people overseeing the land, but they were ignored, so they decided it wasn't their business and left it alone. Now today, the forest has turned into a densely populated jungle strangling the inhabitants and appears to be encroaching on the overseer's domain. While some are calling for the total destruction of the jungle, others are clamouring for its protection while the overseer seems dazed and confused, not knowing where to start.
While the jungle surely needs clearing, always remember there are life-saving plants and other ingredients that are needed to make the house more comfortable. The people living in the immediate centre of the jungle must first start chopping, so that they can create a path which can lead the passers-by to assist (maybe the overseers may join in, if they no longer need to shelter), failing which, everyone will suffocate, starting with you who are at the centre of the jungle.
ROOTS OF VIOLENCE
I hope this story can be imparted to every child in kindergarten/basic school, when they ask their parents, what is happening around them. My friends, you see, the seeds of political tribalism and violence were sown in the inner cities of Kingston. They fell on the fertile ground of poverty. Like grains of peas falling on good soil, the violence took root and branched off to other communities. This was used as cover to divide communities on the basis of politics. The offspring of the original tribalists grew at a much faster rate with more deadly consequences, and we are now overwhelmed with violence and each and every one of us is culpable, and the government seems to be in a state of confusion.
Within these communities lie our future scientists, doctors, nurses, educators, engineers, lawyers and protectors, and every opportunity must be given to every one of them to harness their God-given potential. We need them to help make life in the house called Jamaica more comfortable for the masses. The only way out of this situation is through the application of advance education, from basic school to university. Tourism cannot do it! Call centres cannot do it! These industries must be seen as the 'brawta' in our economic development, not the core industries on which the nation's future rests. Let's properly educate as many as is humanly possible and this will eliminate the problem at hand.
In the meantime, the ones who are protecting the 'agents of anarchy', watch out! HIS eyes are on you. HE knows what you are doing. You need to start the ball rolling. Over to you now!
I am, etc.,
VEROL THOMPSON
verol.thompson@sonic-planet.com
Atlanta, Georgia
