Dear Editor,
Veronica Campbell Brown's (VCB) complete exoneration lays bare the argument of many of the critics of this world, and I hope gives commentators pause when they stand behind microphones self-righteously pontificating behind the mask of purveyors of logic and reasonableness. Some are on record for unapologetically expressing shock that the ordinary man in the street was supportive of VCB to the point of concluding that Jamaican track supporters are the most biased in the world.
Imagine a comment like that. I have always felt that the response of the Jamaican public was a matter of simple common sense. Why would an athlete nearing the twilight of her career, with a perfect track record of sportsmanship, suddenly decide to cheat? One commentator, Higgins, really tore into VCB, challenging her for a public apology and her silence thereafter.
Go figure. Her apology was a matter of common decency out of respect to her fans, not an admission of guilt. On the matter of silence, it is common for accused persons, as a way of handling the media, to say as little as possible, rather than making comments to fan the flames of controversy even while a case against them is pending.
It would be in order for the naysaying commentators, if they have any sense of correctness and decency about them, to publicly apologise to VCB. It is a dangerous road when people get carried away with their own sense of importance to the point of making ill-conceived comments not carefully thought through.
Certainly VCB's well-timed press conference sheds a new perspective on some of the comments by some of our 'professionals' inclusive of Ann Shirley and Paul Wright. There is a lesson in this being taught by VCB and her team. In sum it is: “Think carefully before you open your mouth.”
Clive Stewart
clive.stewart262@gmail.com
Veronica Campbell Brown's (VCB) complete exoneration lays bare the argument of many of the critics of this world, and I hope gives commentators pause when they stand behind microphones self-righteously pontificating behind the mask of purveyors of logic and reasonableness. Some are on record for unapologetically expressing shock that the ordinary man in the street was supportive of VCB to the point of concluding that Jamaican track supporters are the most biased in the world.
Imagine a comment like that. I have always felt that the response of the Jamaican public was a matter of simple common sense. Why would an athlete nearing the twilight of her career, with a perfect track record of sportsmanship, suddenly decide to cheat? One commentator, Higgins, really tore into VCB, challenging her for a public apology and her silence thereafter.
Go figure. Her apology was a matter of common decency out of respect to her fans, not an admission of guilt. On the matter of silence, it is common for accused persons, as a way of handling the media, to say as little as possible, rather than making comments to fan the flames of controversy even while a case against them is pending.
It would be in order for the naysaying commentators, if they have any sense of correctness and decency about them, to publicly apologise to VCB. It is a dangerous road when people get carried away with their own sense of importance to the point of making ill-conceived comments not carefully thought through.
Certainly VCB's well-timed press conference sheds a new perspective on some of the comments by some of our 'professionals' inclusive of Ann Shirley and Paul Wright. There is a lesson in this being taught by VCB and her team. In sum it is: “Think carefully before you open your mouth.”
Clive Stewart
clive.stewart262@gmail.com