The Editor, Sir:

There is no doubt that Jamaica has tremendous potential and many Jamaicans, both inside and outside the country, are in despair. It seems to me that we have lost confidence in ourselves as a people, in our government and especially in each other.

People in the ghetto have listened to countless promises about justice and equality, yet they still sit in decaying schools and live in dilapidated environments. Young people are told that education is the way forward, but they don't see the investment in improving a system which clearly has serious problems. Businesses are invited to invest and create jobs but they don't see a more business-friendly environment being created to spur investment.

The lack of confidence in our security forces is clear, as is the lack of confidence in our politicians. We desperately want to have confidence in plans for a better Jamaica, but we need to see tangible evidence, not just speeches. Jamaicans themselves need to start believing that they can be a major part of positive change in our country as that builds confidence in the individual and then confidence between each other - confidence that we can overcome our current problems.

Everybody's business

It is clear to me that Jamaica must take on crime like the USA took on the landing of a man on the moon. This must become a national effort that involves every single person. Jamaicans must be able to increase their confidence in the security forces and be confident that the politicians are in fact serving the people of Jamaica and not their party faithfuls or themselves. Too many have accepted the high crime rate, the state of the education system and the state of health care. Too many of us have made excuses for the leaders when they do not deliver what is really needed. Also, not enough of us have supported good plans when they are put forward. Our lack of confidence has led us to focus only on criticising.

With the upcoming celebration of Bob Marley's life and impact on the world, we all should remember what makes us proud to be Jamaican - 'wi likkle but we tallawah'. I think that our mental slavery today is that we think of some Jamaicans as lesser citizens just because of their address. The killing of Jamaicans in the name of the law or in defiance of the law only serves to hurt the country. Combating crime requires multiple approaches, especially ones that give people real choices between a life of crime and a life of law.

We can do better and we must. It begins with each of us recognising that we all stand to lose the same things.

I am, etc.,

DAVID MULLINGS

david.mullings@gmail.com