THE EDITOR, Sir:
I ASK that you publish this open letter to The Honourable P. J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I write to you today to challenge you to further solidify your place in history by ensuring that before you leave office as Prime Minister of Jamaica - perhaps the longest-serving Jamaican at the highest level of service to nation-building - that you see to getting the 'little black boys' off the streets of Jamaica and make it mandatory for them to be in school. If they have no parents get them into a camp.
PUBLIC PANIC
No longer can we afford for these children to grow up on the streets and without an education. We are at present at our wits' end because of crime. If these children are left on the streets and if we continue our indifference towards them, then the panic that is now being experienced by well-thinking Jamaicans will be like picnic, compared to the consequences if this matter is not addressed urgently.
So far, Mr. Prime Minister, no effort has been sufficiently effective in dealing with the 'endangered male child' phenomenon.
You can make a difference! I believe you can dedicate the rest of your public service to getting the children off the streets. This would probably be the most important legacy you would have left for this country. After all, if you are unable to do this after 16 unbroken years of
leadership at the highest level, then who else can?
Every civilised and progressive country ensures that the children are protected. In Jamaica they are not. They are easy prey for the predators who use them in all manner of
decadence.
I do not think any children could be found on the streets of Cuba when they are supposed to be in school.
I hope I have appealed to your humanity and sensitivity that this matter deserves.
I am prepared to work with you to get the children off the streets.
I am, etc.,
EILEEN POWELL
eileen@petrojam.com
