Dear Editor,
Based on recent pronouncements of two past presidents of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), it would appear that the JTA and its members have finally grasped the lesson being taught over the many years by our politicians. That lesson entails the vilification and denigration of one's opponent in the furtherance of one's goals. The only surprise here is that it took so long for people who are by profession teachers to grasp the lesson.
When terms such as pathologically mendacious, water boy, fish, and loader man, to name a few, are used on public platforms to refer to colleagues to score cheap political points it is only a matter of time before the rest of the country takes its cue from its leaders. We now see an uproar because the term mongrel was used to refer to a politician. The teachers themselves will tell you that children learn quickly from examples set, and it is usually the case that people reap what they sow. Our dear departed Miss Lou would probably tell us that "di same knife weh stick sheep stick goat" and that "a fowl teach man fi tie string a dem foot".
We, as a country, need to level the playing field and treat all infractions as just that. No matter who the perpetrator is, hold persons accountable and let whatever sanctions due be applied. Let's cut out the foolishness and start getting it together. The consistent application of the divide-and-rule concept will get us nowhere fast. But then again, there are those who are benefiting from this and are satisfied with the status quo.
Fitzroy Whyte
Mandeville, Manchester
littled_1969@yahoo.com
Same knife that stick sheep...
-->
Based on recent pronouncements of two past presidents of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), it would appear that the JTA and its members have finally grasped the lesson being taught over the many years by our politicians. That lesson entails the vilification and denigration of one's opponent in the furtherance of one's goals. The only surprise here is that it took so long for people who are by profession teachers to grasp the lesson.
When terms such as pathologically mendacious, water boy, fish, and loader man, to name a few, are used on public platforms to refer to colleagues to score cheap political points it is only a matter of time before the rest of the country takes its cue from its leaders. We now see an uproar because the term mongrel was used to refer to a politician. The teachers themselves will tell you that children learn quickly from examples set, and it is usually the case that people reap what they sow. Our dear departed Miss Lou would probably tell us that "di same knife weh stick sheep stick goat" and that "a fowl teach man fi tie string a dem foot".
We, as a country, need to level the playing field and treat all infractions as just that. No matter who the perpetrator is, hold persons accountable and let whatever sanctions due be applied. Let's cut out the foolishness and start getting it together. The consistent application of the divide-and-rule concept will get us nowhere fast. But then again, there are those who are benefiting from this and are satisfied with the status quo.
Fitzroy Whyte
Mandeville, Manchester
littled_1969@yahoo.com
Same knife that stick sheep...
-->