THE EDITOR, Sir:
JAMAICA HAS the potential to be a very great nation, if for no other reason than the fact that when we set our collective mind on something, we really dig in deep.
Take for example the homosexual issue that has evoked outrage, anger, bigotry and the like. If one did not know better, he/she would think that Jamaicans are passionate about godliness and morality. Unfortunately, we are not.
All this talk about the Bible says this and the Bible says that is ostentatious, and just a quest to preserve a macho culture that is anti-family, replete with corruption, cruel to children, debases women and promotes violence.
The Brokeback Mountain movie has intensified the discussions on the subject of homosexuality in Jamaica. To the cursory thinker, it may look as if this is another attempt by homosexuals to impose their views on our society, but is it really? Well, since we say that we are a Christian nation, let us look at some of the things that have been 'imposed' on us, and our reactions to them over the years.
CULTURE OF CORRUPTION
We have gladly tolerated the 'imposition' of a culture of corruption. Our Government was shocked last year to learn that Jamaicans have been buying their drivers licences for many years. Who are they fooling? It is no secret that to get by, you only have to know someone who knows someone or have some money. We glorify violence through music, movies and the media and our women are debased and exploited ad nauseam.
Then there is the Church (inclusive
of all denominations). The only time they are mobilised is when they hear about casino, nude weddings and homosexuality.
They plan no marches for little girls who are shot by police and gunmen; no protests for the injustices mete out on a daily basis; no calls for legislation against institutionalised corruption; no demonstrations for the criminalisation of things like adultery that is wreaking havoc on families. These are addressed, no doubt, from the pulpits and the pews where they feel safe and will be excused if they inadvertently hurt any feelings. If we were a nation with high moral Christian values, as we purport to be, homosexuals would've stayed in their closets, as it were. Duppy know who fi frighten. The bottom line is simply that we are not an honest people. We are inherently corrupt.
For Jamaica and the Church to win any battle against things like homosexuality, casino gambling, nude weddings and the relatively petty things, they first need to be honest with themselves. Anything short of that will see them standing on shaky grounds, from where no real credible battle can be fought, much more won.
I am, etc.,
LAVAL WILKINSON
lavalwilkinson@hotmail.com
North York, Ontario, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
