THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE NEED to realise that the maxim which applies to computers also applies to human beings, i.e. garbage in, garbage out. An article in the Sunday Gleaner of August 14, spoke to the garbage and criminality which characterise the dancehall phenomenon. Hartley Neita a few weeks ago spoke about the appreciation of the rural peasants for classical music played by Olive Lewin on the piano at her home. It has been proven time and time again, that soothing music is good for the human soul, including hyper-active children.
I disagree with Mr. Neita that it should be played at midnight however. It should be played between 5 and 6 p.m. when most of us are stuck in peak hour after-work traffic.
This evening on the way home from work I had the misfortune to be driving behind someone playing a 'song' to the tune of 'We Will Rock You', which had been adapted to say 'We will chop you, we will shot you!' I am sure this individual lives in a community with other people and their children, he is probably even a father. That's a scary thought.
The news each evening also serves as fodder for the mayhem, as we are guaranteed to see guns, body-bags, demonstrations, viragos, bloodstains on the ground, etc. and therefore, our young people are completely calloused by the time they reach age 12, because a dead body on the ground 'a nuh nutten.'
Vigilante justice has replaced the rule of law and continues unabated despite many pleas to let the law take its course. This mayhem needs to stop. Parents, politicians, media houses and all well-thinking Jamaicans need to reinforce order and show gentleness if we want a gentle and ordered society.
I am, etc.,
KAREN HENRY
St. Catherine
