My heart aches for Jamaica
published: Tuesday | August 16, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir

I WRITE this letter with tears in my eyes and a weak heart. I just read the article about the 24 year-old man gunned down in the streets of Kingston. What is going on? What horrifies me the most is the picture. This young man begged for his life and was shot anyway. The workers from the morgue did not have the decency to cover his body before throwing it on the cot. I cannot believe the number of people who stood there and viewed this most of them being young children. It's a shame as I look at the pictures none of these young children have any look of fear or concern on their faces.

They are immune to it. This is now a way of life in Jamaica. I am from Trelawny born and raised there until the age of 8. I've always gone home every year to visit and each year the violence gets worse. When is this going to stop?. I've had co-workers go on their honeymoon or vacation and have been robbed. Everyone on the van was robbed. What is going to happen next?

These violent acts have infected the entire island. We need a resolution and we need one soon. I appeal to parents not to allow their children to view these bodies and these acts of violence. To some parents you may think you're teaching a lesson but these children are being traumatised.

I am, etc.,

NOVELETTE MC

trelawnydc@yahoo.com

Washington, DC