THE EDITOR, Sir:THE DECISION of Scotia Bank Jamaica not to support the protest action of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, is simply unintelligent and it only shows a myopic dim reasoning that underestimates the weight of our situation.
The social predicament of our nation is an exhausted issue of relentless concern. Every week close to forty people are murdered, and many raped and sodomised. After much criticism, and prompting from some very unfortunate circumstances recently, corporate Jamaica, through the Private Sector Organisation has made a formal stance and act of protest against crime and violence in our nation. A simple call to close businesses early is the least any organisation could do to show their support for those who have been slain, and against crime and bloodshed in our country. I believe Scotia Bank's act shows how little they value the resolution of their colleagues.
FIGHT AGAINST EVILS
I remember the civil rights struggles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his letter from Birmingham Jail he wrote a detailed response defending his movement that was being condemned by his own colleagues- and I liken it to our own situation. It is the failure of those who are more educated, who are richer, more connected and more respected that has led to our failure in the fight against evils in our society; indeed, the tragic state of our nation rests squarely in the failure of these groups to act.
Scotia Bank, and any other business that has taken this selfish route, has simply missed the mark. See, our duty goes far beyond not committing crimes. To be truly moral and upstanding citizens we must also act in support of any initiative that seeks to perpetuate, fortify and build on the morals we profess to possess.
When thoughtful efforts are made for a national cause of this immense magnitude, and the response from groups that are such landmarks in our country are this unsupportive, it is truly depressing.
CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES
Scotia's defence is that they didn't want to delay cheques for customers who would be looking to collect their pay on the 25th of the month. How sad this petty and limited thinking is. Our policemen risk their lives daily, but half day is too much to ask. Our children live in fear and many have missed out on critical opportunities because their communities are torn with the pangs of war but half of one business day is too much to ask for . I apologise for my bias, but how senseless and narrow-minded can we be, to always miss the big picture. What then can we say about crime, violence, injustice and the madness of immorality if we will not fight them ourselves, or even take a stance against them.
Though I believe the act of closing businesses early is only the first step in what must be a continued effort, I support the move of the PSOJ wholeheartedly and believe it is a clear sign of commitment to our struggle as a people regardless of personal or commercial losses.
I am, etc.,
ANDREW M. WILDES
mrwildes@yahoo.com
Brown's Town
Via Go-Jamaica
