THE EDITOR, Sir:
MOST JAMAICAN inner-city communities have in the recent past been plagued with violence and social degradation. Despite these problems, in recent times, we have seen where some of these communities have been beacons of hope to the island, with their talented, law-abiding citizens. One such community is Tivoli Gardens, an achiever in sports, drama, leadership and many other aspects of daily life.
The children grow up in an environment where most adults are of poor background and crime is prevalent. The majority of the teenagers grow up to be delinquents or having occupations in menial jobs. In most cases, we as a nation sometimes don't expect much from them or don't care.
In the past weeks the media has been highlighting the students that were successful in the recent Caribbean Examinations Council (C.X.C) exams and this was a very good movement in congratulating those students and encouraging others. The stories that I thought were most impressive were the ones from inner-city students who, despite the many insurmountable challenges they face in these areas, still excelled. They are some of the beacons of hope in these communities.
Persons such as Michelle from Majesty Gardens which Mr. Lambert Brown highlighted in Sunday, September 11, 2005 Gleaner are people we need to help in every way possible and encourage them in their goals. These persons could have been one of the numerous teenagers we see pregnant, wasting their life, becoming a drop-out or toting guns at a very early age.
There are many persons living in these communities who are also very qualified and find it very hard to get good jobs because of the stigma attached to their places of residence or schools attended. This bias is very prevalent and indeed dangerous. Let me hasten to say that it is not all businesses that practise this form of discrimination.
I implore all business persons and leaders in corporate Jamaica to bring to the fore this practice and work to see it discarded.
I am etc.,
IBRAHIM A. KONTEH
ibrahimkonteh@yahoo.com
