Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

Some people are of the view that we have nothing to celebrate because they believe we are a failed state, financially and otherwise dependent. I choose to focus on the fact that we are a nation with great potential and we should not allow ourselves to be written off because we have got lost along the way.

After 51 years of Independence, are we truly a nation of "Out of Many One People" when there are some ethnic and religious groups that still feel marginalised? The blatant disregard for the nearly 10 per cent of Jamaicans who are not black at certain national events is repugnant, unacceptable and shameful.

Apart from Damian Marley and the revivalist performance, I left the not so grand Gala less patriotic than when I entered. I was disappointed beyond description to see the blatant exclusion of members of the Indian, Chinese and Jewish communities. It was frightening that this occurred hours after Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her Independence Day Message, encouraged us to 'ensure that every Jamaican is accorded respect and feels a sense of belonging to our society' and that we 'give full expression to the words of our motto as we celebrate the blending of our races and cultures and their contribution to nation building'. Unless it is that "Out of Many, One People" is reserved for special events, not including our Independence Day celebration.

The welfare of the nation's cultural heritage is being compromised in the name of selfish ambition and pan-Africanist agenda in the Ministry of Youth and Culture. This is a telling indictment about the unacceptable state of affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Culture. All this bacchanal about "use of technology" and the many individual musical performers had no place in a celebration of Jamaica 51 as an independent nation, that time could have otherwise been spent on multicultural performances from Jamaican-Indian dancers and Chinese Dragon dancers which was beautifully performed at Jamaica 50 Grand Gala.

The minister and ministry with responsibility for the preservation and promotion of all aspects of Jamaican culture must explain to the Jamaican people why the members of that community were excluded from the gala! We have a small multi-cultural society with citizens of various creeds, races and religious beliefs; this is no reason to neglect, disrespect and malign their contribution to nation building. When will we display tolerance and show respect for all who comprise our society: Jamaica 100? As a young multiracial Jamaican, I am offended and feel as though I do not belong here, as if this cannot be my place of choice to live, work, raise a family and possibly establish a business. I would appreciate a response from the Ministry of Culture.

Andrew King

abking020@gmail.com

Out of many, one?

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Dear Editior,

Jamaica Festival celebrations this year missed the mark. The organisers are leaving out the main ingredient from the combination package. The obsevances now lack the traditional fever and national "jollification".

The times have changed significantly, people are worried and depressed, no work, many are mourning the death of their loved ones to crime and violence and it remains a strong, raging, fiery-furnace seeking to devour or consume.

Of all the radio stations I listened to, they did not seem to know the need to play Festival songs. They seldom played Festival music, the way it used to be decades ago, and need to be prompted. And if they do play a song, they just cut it short and put on another, or sometimes they just keep on talking while the music plays.

So, in order for us to have that genuine, collective feeling of the Festival season, you must ignite the celebration with the music, and give it an even balance.

You must not transform the celebration to a modern one so much so that the traditions are forgotten or left out. Let the traditional pattern continue. Let everything come together for a glamorous and fulfilling display.

Tinga Stewart said in one of his winning Festival songs: ...play di music, play di music, play di music sweet, sweet ... nuh matta wat yuh do yuh caan get tru unless yuh play di music..." Festival is no festival unless yuh play de music sweet, sweet.

You have a whole season to light up the atmosphere with the Festival songs, so please do not mash it down.

Donald J Mckoy

donaldmckoy2010@yahoo.com

Play the Festival music, too

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Dear Editor,

It was with a sense of impending loss that I read an article on August 4 laying out the story of the problems the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) has been having for a long time in trying to find a place to relocate, and now having been given notice to vacate the premises on Winchester Road.

The JSPCA is a long-standing, well-known, greatly appreciated and vitally necessary service. It is the only organisation of its kind in Jamaica. I cannot possibly begin to accept that this organisation is about to be booted out to nowhere land, but this appears to be what is looming for them.

It seems completely hard, unfair and short-sighted for the Government to want to evict the JSPCA off this property knowing the organisation cannot afford to purchase it.

I hope that this letter will bring this very urgent matter into focus, and I make this appeal immediately to the relevant authorities and on behalf of all those (humans and animals) who will suffer a great loss of convenience, respite, and recovery possibilities because the JSPCA is shut down for a lack of a suitable place at which to carry on its invaluable and compassionate work. I make an appeal for all people who have known and been served by the JSPCA over many, many years, to protest in writing, and get a petition going against the possible eviction problem which it now faces.

I hope that a special "Save the JSPCA" fund can now be started, with contributions pouring in by as many large organisations as possible, as well as individuals. My small contribution is assured, as this organisation stands peerless, and is deservedly proud of its blood, sweat and tears in the service of every one of those two or four-legged creatures who continuously, and often shakily or frantically, enter its welcoming doors.

L Duperrouzel

Kingston 10

Save the JSPCA!

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Dear Editor,

Recent happenings have left us all upset and, perhaps, even downcast. But do not ever lose faith in our people. I do not believe that any of our athletes knowingly used a banned substance. While the lack of intent may not be sufficient to exonerate them, it is nonetheless a comforting affirmation of the fairness and integrity that is basic to every Jamaican.

Don't forget what is the basis for Jamaica's success in global athletics. It is not drugs. It is, rather, the fantastic athletic system that we Jamaicans have developed over the past 100 years. Nothing in that system invites or sanctions the use of banned substances. It is a system that produced Norman Manley, Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, Dennis Johnson, Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell Brown, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and so many others. That system, the hallmark of which is hard work, see boys and girls train for nine months to be ready for Champs. It is fuelled by superb coaching, prodigious natural talent and volunteerism, and has nothing to do with drugs. It does not need drugs. For it has its own private elixir that comes from the spirited drive and struggle for achievement and excellence; that drive and struggle is a part of our heritage.

So let us continue to be proud of the athletics system that we have developed through ingenuity and diligence, acknowledge the features that make it the most successful enterprise in our country and tell the world that drugs are irrelevant to it. Let us continue to support the system and the athletes it produces. Drugs cannot tear down the walls of that system. At the same time we, the Jamaican people, the Government, and the private sector must collaborate to ensure that our athletes and their coaches have at hand the best scientific tools for their use and application to protect their good names and the reputation of the country.

Patrick Robinson

The Hague

Netherlands

Never lose faith in our athletes

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Dear Editor,

When told that the peasants had no bread to eat, it was reported, the first thing out of Marie Antionette's mouth was "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche", which when translated is "let them eat cake". So oblivious was she to the plight of the ordinary people that she made such a statement.

What is now sad is that in 2013 we have our own Marie Antoinette. When Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke was informed that there was a shortage of chicken back, his first words were, "Let them buy oxtail." If this is not a moment in which we as a nation have to take stock of who we install as leaders, then there will never be one.

The party that ran on the premise of "We love the poor" has shown us that nothing can be further from the truth. The flippant disregard for the plight of the poor really shows how out of touch the minister and the Government really is.

Rawle Burnett

rawlegb@aol.com

Let them eat... oxtail?

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Dear Editor,

The minister of national security and the police commissioner are the personifications of the fight against crime in this country. That is the context in which to analyse the implications of the minister's recent second public appeal for "divine intervention" in the fight against crime. Despite public outcry against his first appeal, he issued this second appeal, "without apology".

The minister has the ability, by his public conduct and utterances, to convey an image and message that inspires either hope or hopelessness in the fight against crime. The victims of crime — man, woman and child — and all citizens. They deserve from the minister an image and message of hope.

On the one hand, a private and personal prayer by the minister for divine intervention is understandable given the magnitude of his task. Indeed, a minister can inspire hope if he is and appears to be divinely inspired. But the divine works through man. It was not a divine intervener who investigated and prosecuted when the minster himself was recently a victim of crime; it was man.

On the other hand, a public appeal for divine intervention conveys an image and message of a minister at his wits' end in the fight against crime, hence the public outcry the first time the minister publicly appealed for this. To do so again "without apology" is to rub salt in the wounds of victims of crime, and dishonours his mandate to them to inspire hope.

I too pray for divine intervention. I pray for the minister to lead or appear to lead the fight against crime. That prayer begins with an image and message of hope. I pray for this, "without apology".

Norman Davis

normanadavis@yahoo.com

Did the divine help when you were the victim of crime, Minister?

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Dear Editor,

There are many factors contributing to poor health outcomes in Jamaica, including smog, bad diet and excessive stress. So while I agree that smoking is harmful, why is this sector being singled out for such excessive taxation, especially when in the dire economic circumstances as now obtains, it may likely drive the cigarette company out of business, paving the way for more illegal importation of cigarettes.

And how accurate are the figures used by the Ministry of Health to support the cost of smoking to public health. The Youth Smoking Survey used a narrow sample and is quite dated. How can the Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson be so confident in quoting from them when so many factors in our country contribute to poor health. The smog from our landfills alone sickens a good part of Kingston, but I cannot recall any consistent great outrage over that, or any call to action to solve this problem once and for all.

Unhealthy diets are also major culprits in poor health outcomes, but when has the Health Ministry organised a consistent public education campaign against this. There is even increased cases of childhood obesity and diabetes in Jamaica. What is being done? Women, particularly, as well as many men are eating themselves sick. What is being done?

It seems Dr Furguson only has strength for the cigarette company. The same company that is a major financier of the National Health Fund which the minister will be depending on to finance the planned National Health Card and all the many programmes and policies he announced recently in Parliament.

With the economic fallout and lower revenue flows arising from this untidy and ridiculous smoking ban there will be a lot to answer for. Carreras' stock has been battered and their revenues declined precipitously according to reports. Come on Minister Ferguson, revise this bad law now.

Winston Thomas

Lennox Big Woods

Westmoreland

Minister Ferguson, you only have strength for cigarettes

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The Grand Gala held this year in honour of our 51st year as an independent nation was a spectacular event. It featured many aspects of our cultural heritage, took us into the past, celebrated the present, and showed us hope for the future.

In my opinion, the organisers' efforts were commendable. It was a great idea to have some of the previous winning festival songs performed and it was especially enlightening for me as a young person who didn't know that many of these were indeed festival songs.

Another high point of the gala was to have Tiger as a performer. Most of the patrons were genuinely enthused to see him, given that he's been out of the spotlight for so many years. He was able to deliver well and received positive feedback from the audience. As usual, the dancers also played their parts well in dazzling us with iridescent costumes and with admirable vibrancy all throughout.

We were entertained by the likes of artistes such as Queen Ifrica, Ken Boothe, Derrick Morgan, and other reggae icons. The absence of the customary fireworks at the end of the gala did not sit well with many patrons but that was easily alleviated by a closing performance from Damian "Junior Gong" Marley. Of course, he was the zenith of the show, delivering an astounding performance that even featured a special guest, Sizzla.

In every venture, especially ones of such magnitude, there are shortcomings. Surprisingly though, the only fault I found with this production was that the organisation was not 100 per cent up to par. The show did not flow as well as it did in previous years and there were too many periods when nothing at all was happening. Despite this, the entire show definitely caused me to be a very proud Jamaican and I'm sure many others share the same sentiment.

All in all, I would say that the purpose of the Grand Gala was definitely fulfilled. As Marcus Garvey once said, "A man without knowledge of his past is like a tree without root," and with a celebration like this year's Gala, there is no way that one would leave without knowledge of our past and a sense of pride.

Tasha Smith

purple_rain4u2@yahoo.com

Grand Gala was good

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Dear Editor,

Is there not a cause for which we can enlist our 'gunnies'? Probably if there was a country in need of some gun-bearers -- like another Bishop scenario in Grenada -- we could round up a 'rout'n - tout'n' band. All we would need is the promise of an income and an opportunity, and of guns and guys, there probably would be plenty to respond. Probably that's what we need to turn our guns outward instead of inward.

Probably we need a cause that would bring income, opportunity and an education to our gun-touting many; like some military units offer. Probably Haiti... policing in Haiti? The Jamaican Volunteers' Brigade for a Peaceful Port-au-Prince... The JVBPPAP. No, we'd probably become a major part of their problem too. We'd probably join their criminal ranks and take over some of their communities.

Or probably if Uncle Sam could hire us; probably they could use our thousands for something like border patrol. Soliciting us with an attractive offer; probably "get your own guns and come". We'd certainly have quite a number to offer -- probably even more than the farm worker or cane cutter programmes. No, we'd probably be a part of their problem too. They'd probably be finding our numbers scattered inland, far away from the given posts, leaving probably two out of the twenty thousand.

Well, we certainly have AKs and M-16s and a wide assortment of interesting weapons, enough to arm a band or two, or twenty. And we do know how to shoot, and we do like to shoot. But then, though we do have some experience, we don't quite know how to handle being shot at; and at the first sign of threat we might retreat, scale a wall, or surrender and beg, claiming "it wasn't me". But, who knows.

Probably if a country was far away enough, probably if the hirers were 'foreign enough'; like the Syrians... the cause of the Free Syria Army. Maybe they might need the Jamaican 'shotta contingent'. Well they sure seem to have cause enough for sure. And we certainly can't provide them missionaries enough to bring cheer and peace... Never mind our over 1,600 churches scattered throughout our island -- which should mean that we could find do-gooders enough -- but we certainly can offer 'mercenaries' enough, scores from every parish. Well, at the least we know many would come with both their guns and their Bibles... if it's any consolation. Then, that may be a problem to the Syrians too.

Well, probably our own leaders, our own Government could simply offer cash and classes in exchange for the guns and ammo and see if there are any takers. Many of the gun-bearers are only teenagers, and many never got a good education or other opportunity at a dignified life.

Or if our countries leadership could just find some other smart enough, relevant enough cause for our many gun-slingers, maybe we'd all be better off. Well, who knows?

What we do know for sure is that we need a plan to turn the chaos and confusion away from our island. And we really don't need to export our chaos and confusion to anyone. But we do need to provide answers, to give focus to our many men looking for opportunity and purpose. Of this we know our Government has an urgent cause.

Christopher Brodber

chrisbrodber@yahoo.com

Let's utilise our 'shottas'

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Dear Editor,

Approximately 10,000 Jamaicans were murdered by the gun between 2003-2013, and there is no civil war.

It is quite unfortunate that Jamaica is being led by intellectuals who have an inferiority complex concerning anything European. There are too many scholars who have decided to argue for reparation instead of creating tangible solutions to national ailments. The institution of chattel slavery has been abolished for 175 years, but Europeans are still being blamed for the region's problems. All while many academics do not examine the circumstances which made ancient peoples of the developing world subservient to their European colonisers.

Contrary to what many would want us to believe, Europe was never the bastion of civilisation. Europeans have been successful over the years because they have done what many other races refused to do -- benchmark. According to John M Hobson, author of the book The Eastern Origin of the Western Civilisation, Western intellectual doctrines and inventions occurred as a result of contact with Eastern cultures and not Greek and Roman traditions. Although Hobson's thesis has been criticised by mainstream scholars, it highlights the benefits that a country can obtain when it refuses to operate like a closed nation.

Many scholars have argued that one of the reasons for the triumph of the West as an industrial power is the complacency of the East. For example, the Song Dynasty of China was the first government in the world to issue paper notes, and by 1100 AD, China was the most advanced country in the world. However, according to noted historian David Landes, the East stopped innovating. In 1432, China outlawed the building of ocean-going ships -- an area which she dominated -- and the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan banned firearms. Furthermore, the policies of the last imperial dynasty of China, the Qing Dynasty, policies outlawed foreign trade and restricted commerce by creating a government-controlled guild system. This resulted in what scholars dub The Great Divergence -- the process by which Western Europe surpassed the East, becoming the world's economic hub.

Today, the East is being restored to its former glory because its leaders have decided to promote innovation and benchmarking. For example, in 1871 Japan established the Iwakura mission with the purpose being to study the sophisticated systems of the West in order to effect the modernisation of Japan. While, in the 1980s, Deng Xiaoping presided over the economic modernisation of China, Deng also examined the Singaporean model.

Japan is now the most technologically advanced nation in the world, producing more patents than all countries, and China has the world's second largest economy. Before, deluded intellects in Jamaica bash Europe, they must realise that a country can only become superior to its rival by beating it at its own game -- that's what Asia did.

Local intellectuals should understand that Jamaica needs a global culture in order to succeed, being obsessed with local culture will carry us nowhere.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Lessons from Asia

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Dear Editor,

It pains me to see how the homeless gay men are being treated. I understand what it means to be a homeless gay man. I could have been six feet under, but thankfully, my gay brothers and sisters took me into their care.

At 16 years old I was thrown out for being gay. Having nowhere to turn, and in my final year of high school, my gay family housed me and paid for my nine CXC subjects.

Despite the stress and pain of the experience, their emotional support helped me to receive seven grade ones and two grade twos. I remember seeing, not my biological family, but my gay family smiling with pride at my graduation ceremony as I collected the top student award. When I became a top performer in the yearly CAPE exam, they celebrated me.

Their support continued through college. My gay family paid for my two years of college education. Like any family, they followed me to orientation, constantly checked in to see how I was performing and provided any needed financial and emotional support. At the honour roll presentation, they (my gay brothers and sisters) were right there to cheer me on.

No mother or father in the picture, I found solace and peace with my gay family. Like many of these homeless men, I was cast out because I was gay. The worst could have been my result. Jamaica needs to wake up. Everyone deserves to live in dignity. Everyone, no matter their orientation, should have access to the same opportunities and services. That someone is gay is no excuse for him or her to be treated less than a human. These young men have the potential to contribute to Jamaica's growth. It is not fair to expect J-FLAG to take on the responsibility of caring for these men. They are Jamaicans who should be provided with rehabilitation services. Some are also underage and should be sent back to school. Where is the Government in all this? Doesn't the issue fall within the ambit of the Child Development Agency? Why isn't the police finding the parents of these young men and charging them for neglect? Where is the youth minister? Where is the love Jamaica?

Homeless at Home

adelusiaja@gmail.com

My gay family did what my parents didn't

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Dear Editor,

Just a few hundred dollars more, some will say. Can someone please explain to me why Jamaica Public Service is being allowed to add $291.25 to my bill, if I do not pay by the due date?

I can see that they are also generously offering to reduce my bill by $250.00, if I pay by the due date; however, I would prefer if they just left things as they are.

I have lived in this country for over 40 years, and the utility companies have always had their way with us. The consumer representative bodies seem to be powerless. Is this "late fee" allowed by law? Office of Utilities Regulation "mi a bawl out". Help!

Radcliffe Jerome Taylor

Greater Portmore

radcliffe.taylor@ymail.com

Why $291.25 more, JPS?

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Dear Editor,

I am writing to congratulate both Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for their outstanding performances in Moscow. Both athletes performed extremely well, especially in light of the fact that both were suffering from minor injuries. Bolt, Fraser-Pryce, Williams-Mills, Parchment, Spencer, Stewart, and all our athletes have made Jamaica extremely proud. For them to even qualify for Moscow took a lot of hard work, training and dedication, and I want to congratulate all our Jamaican athletes for their continued efforts.

Despite the benefits reaped in Moscow now, and during last year's Olympics, there are sponsors out there that have a knack for recognising and developing talent. When Usain Bolt had an injury after being signed by Digicel in 2003, the company did not waver in its support. The company then went on to sign Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2008. Grace also signed Shelly-Ann as their first brand ambassador in the same year.

It is admirable that companies like Digicel and GraceKennedy see the importance of supporting our athletes. As a nation we have the capacity to flex our muscles on the international stage. However, it is vital to recognise and develop promising talent early.

I encourage other corporate entities to follow suit as there are a number of other budding athletes waiting to be discovered, waiting for that break and recognition.

Sue Chin

St Andrew

Keep supporting the athletes, corporate Ja

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Dear Editor,

Businessess exist to maximise profits. Therefore, in order to achieve greater levels of efficiency, private enterprises will seek to retool and invest in cost-saving initiatives. However, Jamaicans do not seem to understand this concept because of their welfare mentality.

Nothing is wrong with defending the rights of workers, but unions should understand that employers have the right to sack workers who are not efficient; and when these employees are defended, the wrong message is sent to investors. Some years ago, an employee was fired for sleeping on the job. Instead of berating the employee, his colleagues decided to strike. An asinine action like this would not have been tolerated in a productive country.

The PanCaribbean Sugar Company's aim is to make profits and not to lose important equipment. If the security guards who were entrusted to protect these euipment were derelict in their duties, then there must be consequences. Furthermore, it is not financially prudent for the company to maintain these workers and pay interim personnel. The company must be allowed to do its restructuring.

Jamaica Private Power Company also wants to restructure its operations, but unions don't seem to understand this. The management of the firm provided union leaders with an opportunity to recommend suitable cost-saving alternatives, and the unions did not respond. We cannot expect the company to continue with its inefficient operations; it is not a charity.

Though we live in the 21st century, unions are still anachronistic. For example, for many, being a security guard is not a permanent job, it is something people do until a better job comes along. Even though the law recognises security guards as employees and not contractors, private firms do not share this view, and based on the nature of the industry we cannot blame them. If security guards were to receive special benefits like permanent workers, then massive lay-offs would become a possibility, because such a decision is not financially feasible.

Research conducted by Gallup has shown that workers are more productive when they feel respected. It is respect and not a raft of benefits which makes workers productive. In addition, trade unions do not understand the free market, but it is unlikely that anything will be done to curb their power since both parties are affiliated to unions.

Populism will trump economics again, and in the short term the people will feel better, but in the long term Jamaica will be poorer. Jamaica needs a leader, like Margaret Thatcher, who is not afraid to tackle unions or other populist elements in the society. It is also quite ironic that the people who will reject conservative leaders will later bash politicians for promoting populism and the poor for being lazy. Jamaicans should make up their minds, they can accept capitalism and be prosperous or they can continue to admire utopic socialism and achieve failure.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Mind your manners, unions

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Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to the British Prime Minister:

Mr Prime Minister, there is currently a well-organised effort in the Caribbean to get your country to pay us black descendants of African slaves in this region reparations for slavery. While some of our intellectuals think that the reasons are sound, I, a proud black man, think that the reasons are not only baseless but also insulting.

While we black people in the West have been fed a steady diet of anti-white propaganda that we blacks were victims of the evils of your ancestors, the truth tells a very different story.

When your ancestors went to Africa for slaves, centuries ago, they had no difficulty in getting them. Slavery was a well-established system long before your ancestors came. The slave trade was a legal and morally accepted institution. Paying us reparations would tell the world that both your ancestors and ours committed a grave crime. This would not be true. How could a crime have been committed if nobody then saw anything wrong?

The involvement of our black ancestors, in particular, is very evident. As early as the late 1400s the African kingdom of Benin had a slave-supply treaty with Portugal. When your country outlawed the slave trade in 1807, the Ashanti king protested, claiming that the British anti-slavery blockage was destroying his economy. As late as the 1930s, slavery was so well established in Selassie's Ethiopia that Italy was able to use it as a pretext for invading the country in 1936, freeing hundreds of thousands of slaves.

Also, we in the West have been led to think that our black ancestors were mostly kidnapped by your ancestors and sold into slavery. This cannot be true. Most of Africa was not controlled by Europe during the slave trade. Simple common sense dictates that the tens of millions of people could not have been moved from Africa for centuries without the active and willing participation of my ancestors.

The simple truth of the matter is that if your government is supposed to pay reparations, African governments should pay too. Since African governments are not being asked to pay anything, your government should not be asked to pay either.

As for us African descendants in the West, many of us saw nothing wrong with slavery. Did you know, for instance, that there are many examples of former slaves winning their freedom and becoming slave owners themselves? I was recently made aware that a sizeable portion of slaves in Jamaica were in fact owned by coloured and freed black slave owners. Even the slaves thought that the institution was morally acceptable. The freed Maroons of Jamaica, who signed a peace treaty with your government in the 1700s, seemingly saw nothing wrong with slavery. That was why they agreed to return escaped slaves to their plantation owners.

In several ways, it can be argued that your government has already paid reparations. Firstly, our ancestors in Africa were paid. Secondly, during the 1960s and later, your country gave us these priceless islands. Thirdly, your government has helped to sustain us with generous technical and financial grants and assistance. Why give us another economic bailout with reparations? Please, don't insult our pride with more handouts such as reparations.

Those of us who are demanding reparations don't understand history. Morality is not a static human phenomenon. While we in the 21st century may find slavery repugnant, it would be wrong of us to use our moral standards today to judge the actions of our ancestors in centuries past. Slavery was morally accepted to all then. We must not condemn our ancestors, who, both black and white, saw nothing wrong with it by making reparations.

Please understand that not all of us African descendants in the West think that there is a good case for reparations. Indeed, some of us, think that those of us who are calling for reparations are truly misguided and misinformed. Unfortunately, there are clearly some elements of anti-white racism too.

Mr Prime Minister, let's hope that good sense will prevail. Don't make any reparations.

Michael A Dingwall

Kingston, Jamaica.

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Don't make any reparations

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Dear Editor,

We frequently struggle to understand why so many of our young people are underperforming in school and are unmotivated to seriously pursue academic studies.

Repeatedly, we have reproached our teachers for this dilemma. We theorise that their instructional practices are wanting and do not effectively engage students. Some of us have even been deluded into believing that all, if not most, teachers perfunctorily attend to their professional responsibilities. Sadly, we missed the bigger picture.

Have we considered the limited opportunities that are provided for our young people? When they excel in high school, the paucity of scholarships and internship prospects render them almost stagnant. When they borrow from the Students' Loan Bureau and successfully complete tertiary studies, they usually wind up either unemployed or underemployed and bankrupt. Now, how do we then persuade our young people to view education as a social and financial propellant?

Please, do not tell them about journeying overseas to seek betterment. We cannot always purchase a visa and a one-way ticket out of this quagmire. And no, we cannot always tell our youth to start a business. These cannot be their only options.

I am calling upon our ministers to do more. Our youths' window of escapism can no longer hinge on nefarious acts, big or small.

Let us prove to our children that it pays to be educated. If we cannot successfully convince them in this regard, we will become a doomed state.

Shawna Kay Williams

shawna201@gmail.com

Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?

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Dear Editor,

It is really a disappointment how we continue to miss the mark and 'the the bigger picture'. The excitement surrounding the eviction of the homosexual men has subsided. And many believe, for one reason or the other, they should have been evicted as they were being a nuisance to community members. However, it is clear these men were homeless before occupying that abandoned building, hence their return after being evicted the first time. It was also evident that these men needed somewhere to reside, so they made the best of the deplorable conditions of said house.

Have we stopped to ask where these men are now?

While conducting some business in the Half-Way-Tree area last week, I was approached by a group of 'street boys' asking for money to buy something to eat. I gave what I had and suggested that they pool whatever they "earned" to cook a meal. One of the older boys simply said, "We nuh have nuh weh fi cook it, sir."

As a single father, not only was I disappointed at the state these young boys were in, but also found it strange that these minors, who conceivably must have some relatives somewhere, did not have a place to prepare a basic meal.

A few weeks ago, my 17-year-old son was brave enough to tell me he was gay. I was shocked more so at his confession and his courage to come out, especially with me being a single father. And while I thought about the many negative experiences that he will be exposed to, I knew if I booted him from my home and shut him out of my life they would be worse, maybe even fatal like Dwayne Jones. I am grateful for never having to worry about him being a "nuisance" to anyone, and that he has someone he can talk to who is interested in his well-being.

This is not the case, however, for many LGBT people, who are often chastised as rowdy and disgraceful, or the street boys who are rude to motorists and pedestrians alike, when their demands aren't met.

Why are we allowing the issue of homelessness to be viewed as a condition of sexuality? How do these parents sleep at night, knowing their sons and daughters have nowhere to call home?

Without a doubt, we are allowing our prejudices to deliberately victimise one of the most vulnerable sets of people in our society. It has to stop, and we must do more to protect our homeless and equip them with rehabilitative social skills and tools. And we must demand more from those who are entrusted with the protection of the most vulnerable people in our society.

A Parent

Parents make kids homeless

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The city of Montego Bay has many outstanding sons and I wish to wholeheartedly take this distinct opportunity to extend my commendations to prominent Montego Bay businessman, philanthropist and investor, Carlton Chin, OD, JP, on his distinguished service to the entire city of Montego Bay spanning a period of over 50 years.

He is one of the city's most successful businessmen with an impeccable track record and has invested heavily in many different areas across the city of Montego Bay and parish of St James. He currently owns many buildings within Montego Bay and owns a very successful real estate company along with other ventures that contribute significantly to the economy of Montego Bay.

He remains a humble, caring and most professional businessman who employs many persons from in and around Montego Bay which makes him a major asset to the city and parish. He has shown that with hard work, honesty, vision, proper planning, and with God's blessings success will be achieved.

And those attributes and principles have enabled Carlton Chin to be one of the most successful investors in Montego Bay continually expanding his business and being an esteemed role model.

Carlton Chin has time and time again demonstrated that he is fully committed to business in the second city and has never thought it prudent to leave and establish his business overseas because he is a patriotic, dedicated and loyal son of Montego Bay who truly and dearly is committed to helping to build his country and for that he deserves full congratulations and encouragement.

He is also a noted philanthropist donating quite a large sums to charities and organizations. He recently donated $19 million to his former school, Cornwall College, for the building of a new school block. He has greatly assisted a number of poor and needy students to get quality education and continues to work humbly behind the scenes.

He is a longstanding member of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Lay Magistrates Association of St James and also of the Cornwall College Old Boy's Association.

Carlton Chin is also among the longest serving Justices of the Peace in the parish of St James. In fact, he has been a JP for over 50 years. He has done this voluntary job with full marks and continues to perform his role with distinction. He has done the entire parish proud and I salute him wholeheartedly and urge him to continue the exemplary work in the various areas that he is involved in. Well done, Sir Carlton Chin.

I recommend that the Government of Jamaica consider Carlton Chin for the Order of Jamaica for his distinguished and honourable service in business and philanthropy spanning

60 years.

Robert Dalley, Esq

Montego Bay

St James

robertdalley1@hotmail.com

MoBay's Carlton Chin for national honour

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Dear Editor,

For years homosexuality has been a controversial issue to the homophobic society we know as Jamaica. It is so easy for medical and law professionals to turn a blind eye to violence against homosexuals and worse parents who put their child/ward at risk because of his or her sexual orientation by throwing them out on the street.

Most of the heterosexual community prefer to embrace a man facing murder charges or running from the law over a member of the community who happens to be a homosexual, cross-dresser or transvestite. They seem to find it more socially acceptable.

Jamaicans need to accept change, because the reality is homosexuals have always existed. We only have one life to live, and if a man makes another man happy, why should their happiness affect anyone else?

They are human beings with rights like everyone else. Wasn't it a few years ago that man was persecuted for the colour of his skin and women were deemed unfit to do what was considered a man's job.

A society cannot advance without change so where will Jamaica be with this constant hatred for one another.

Unsatisfied citizen

St Ann

Change we must, Jamaicans

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I want to send this simple suggestion to reduce road deaths along the Mandela Highway: Remove the trees along the highway and use guard rails along the median.

These large trees along the boulevard have resulted in several deaths of motorists over the years.

Just recently the National Housing Trust lost a young staff member who collided with one of these trees along the highway.

Remove the trees and install guard rails like the ones used along the toll road in the median.

The trees serve no useful purpose in there present location, they are just obstacles that have caused the death of too many of our road users. They are mere distractions.

Corcerned Road User

Kingston 5