THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS not a very pleasant moment to read or hear about the crimes and other bad news coming out of my beautiful island of Jamaica. But I take it that this is a reality that we all have to face.
I remember in 1962 when Jamaica gained her independence from Great Britain, the great expectation we all had for the future. We were very proud to see our new national flag replacing the Union Jack. We were proud to witness our own people receiving the power of authority to govern ourselves, after hundreds of years of being subservient to another power. Our expectation was that under our own people, life would be better. Life would be better, not only in terms of economic development, but also in the areas of security, education, law and order, honesty, discipline and fiscal management of our economy and natural resources. This had been our dream, aspiration and expectation.
There is no doubt that our leaders past and present had the same objectives but somewhere along the line, unexpected negative developments crept in on us. Some of these developments were unavoidable, while some were made and continue to be made by our leaders. And there seems to be no end in sight.
Take for instance, the case of the export of our ackees to the USA which is now endangered. A thorough investigation into the matter should be undertaken. We can ill afford to lose this market.
Finally, let me say that although we are not home, we are still jealous of home. We still keep in touch. We are only absent because of economic necessity.
I am, etc.,
HERMAN McKOY
masken4@gmail.com
Via Go-Jamaica
