Dear Rev Hyatt:
I AM very concerned about the rise in crime and violence among our young people, especially school boys. I find it very frightening as a teacher, as I am often fearful for my life.
Gone are the days when you could scold or discipline a student, because he or she needed same. These days should you do that, it is either the student or the parent who will be coming to you to exact punishment. What is it that has gone wrong, why is it that indiscipline seems to be taking over our school and people?
I listened in horror last week, as the story was told of the 16-year-old Kingston College student who was held with gun and ammunition. May God have mercy upon us as a country.
Sharon Gooden
Dear Sharon:
I can more than understand your concern with respect to our young people. The reality however is that in our days, there was a strong parental influence, which dictated how we behaved in general. Today however, too many of our students are practically growing themselves and their younger siblings. This has contributed significantly to the indiscipline. In addition, teachers are fearful and frustrated, thus unable to take on the demands of this new school environment.
You made a very relevant point about the parents who will come in to disrespect the teacher. Many students are indisciplined, because they know their parents will back them even if they are at fault. Therefore, they see no need to be fearful as mom or dad will come and defend them, be it to beat on a teacher or another student. When you have a child who will tell you that he will tell his dad, who will come and shoot the teacher who disciplined him, we realise we are in trouble. Whether the father is in fact going to shoot or not, what gave the student that impression?
Another startling reality is that the Kingston College student found with the gun is a representation of what is happening at the other schools. Let us not fool ourselves, this is not a Kingston College problem, it is a society problem. We have to get tough and deal with the issues head on, at the society level.
A student found with a weapon in school, gun or not, should not only be expelled but also handed over to the Police. Unless we make a serious statement, we are only encouraging the indiscipline in our schools. Eventually, they will take over the school and run us out if we are not careful.
May God help us in this our time of need.
Rev.
Dear Rev,
Let me congratulate you on your articles, I am an avid reader of your columns. I particularly enjoyed the series you did on rastafari, as well as the last column on the dons. I was wondering however, do you think that the attitude of the Police may be contributing to crime and violence in our society? I know so many individuals who just hate the police because of how they have been treated by them, and their hate has often times turned into aggression. Do you think that the force needs to be under review at this point?
Sharlene
Dear Sharlene,
Thank you for you kind words, you have certainly encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. The first thing I wish to say however, is that we should make a distinction between the Police force and corrupt police officers.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is an organisation which has high ideals and principles. It is governed, as far as I know, by persons of character and integrity. The reality however is that there are individuals within the force, who are corrupting the system, and need to go.
I would therefore suggest that these individuals no doubt have contributed in one form or the other, to the survival of crime and violence in our society. The truth is, there are officers who are involved in crime and drugs, and the general breaching of the laws. However, in like manner, there are politicians, business people, even ministers of religion and civilians in general who also contribute to the nurturing of crime.
If we intend on eradicating crime and violence from our society, then we have to get tough and honest with ourselves. This is a job that will take the combine efforts of us all, and not just that of a few. No politician should be allowed the power to mobilise any area with respect to violence, nor intimidate the country or its armed forces. When this begins to happen, as it has already, we need to face reality and call "a spade a spade", the country is in trouble.
The problem with us in this country is that we are too hypocritical and political. No one wants to take a risk for the right and for justice, if it means they may end up in the line of fire. The sorry thing is that we no longer, well so it would seem, have people who are willing to die for what they believe, for the good of our country and survival of our children. Until we are, be it as members of the security force or civilians, we are in trouble. We all need to ask ourselves, what can I do, what is it that I know which may make a difference? Yes, individual officers have contributed to the problem; however, as we target them, we need to also target the countless other individuals and organisations. Keep giving positive vibes.
Rev.
