THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS indeed with a heavy heart that I write this letter in utter outrage at the recent spate of vicious attacks on our citizens, particularly our children. Our nation is in a state of anarchy as every day we hear of murders, abductions or rumours of abductions involving mostly children.

It appears as if we have become so desensitised to these issues that many of us feel content with simply chastising the Government for not doing enough, while we speak about the occurrences as if they were from some horror movie which will end soon.

The reality, however, is that the death of little Ananda Dean, and the many other children, is not a blockbuster horror film. This is real life and we as a nation need to stop being content with only discussing what is happening, rather than committing to doing something about it.

It is said that a child shall lead the way, so, my fellow Jamaicans, please listen to the advice of this child. Too many of us are afraid to stand up and play our part in the fight against crime and we will never accomplish anything until we unite in this fight. We need to realise that we all have a role to play and must do what we can to save our nation. We cannot sit back and allow criminals who are in the minority to take over this blessed land.

Impossible task

Yes, I know it seems an impossible task, but what if Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela, and the many other great leaders who fought for the betterment of the human race, decided to do nothing because the task seemed impossible? Nothing would have been done and we would not have come this far as a people.

This fight against crime cannot be party-based, we need to realise that regardless of the political party one supports, we are first and foremost Jamaicans, and that supersedes any political associations. Thus, the Government and the Opposition must forget politics and work together to rid our nation of this monster.

Communities need to go back to the days when the community played a vital role in the raising and protection of the children. We need to be more vigilant of what is going on in our communities and must look out for one and other, particularly our children, as they are the future. If we see suspicious activities, we need to report them; it is better to be safe than to be sorry. I am sure that those hoodlums who led to the tragic death of the late head girl of the Immaculate Conception High School, Pia Phillips, must have been in the area for some time, and maybe if they had been spotted earlier by someone, then the tragedy that took place could have been averted.

Good role models

Our entertainers also have a part to play. They need to realise that they are the role models for many of our youth and as such, they need to act like good role models. Our music should be preaching positivity and peace, not violence. When these 'role models' are the ones idolising guns and violence, then it's only natural that our young people will gravitate to violence. Our artistes need to be cognisant of their social responsibility to our young people and refrain from promoting violence and crime!

As November is National Youth Month, I urge the youth of this nation to come together and formulate strategies that can be implemented to combat the vicious acts on our peers, for there are several avenues through which our voices can be heard. If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact me and let us work together.

I am, etc.,

ANDRE S. MARRIOTT-BLAKE

andre.sean134@gmail.com

Independence City

Portmore, St Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica