The recent and current wave of crime and violence pervading our senses and the society at large is now quite frightening and bordering on bizarre. Those of us who know of a kinder, gentler Jamaica and world, for that matter, are completely astounded at this decay.

High school students who should have cultivated a sound value system at this stage of their development are instead displaying a disconnect to social and moral responsibility. Officers who are paid by the public purse to uphold and maintain law and order are reportedly the very perpetrators of disorder and incivility. Many of our entertainers and other public and influential members of society have caused much debate as to whether their actions and products are doing more harm than good to the most impressionable among us.

moral pathogen

What is this moral pathogen that seems to be attacking mankind on all levels. Are we now at a crossroads as a race or have we taken the road to decay and ultimate destruction? Jesus did say "daughters of Jerusalem weep not for me, but for your children and your children's children". Oh, how we now weep for our children.

It is said, that it always darkest just before dawn. The question is how much longer will the darkness last? How far away is the dawn? We have the power to decide that, and we must.

There is an old Indian saying that goes thus:

An Indian grandfather, gathered his grandchildren round the evening fire to pass on some wisdom to them. He said to them, "I have two lions raging and fighting inside of me. One lion is all about greed, hate, war, injustice, hunger and all things evil. The other lion is all about, love, peace, fairness, justice and kindness. One of the younger grandchildren asks, "Grandfather, which lion will win? The grandfather says,"The one that I feed the most."

Which lion are we feeding? Do we sit and wait for the darkness to herald the dawn?

The answer lies within each of us, we must find it and deal with it. Then and only then.

I am, etc.,

M. EDWARDS

Kingston 6