The Editor, Sir:

This is an open letter to Messrs Mavado and Vybz Kartel. Gentlemen, Jamaica is in crisis, what with crime, corruption, coarseness and unemployment, and is on a downward spiral. Now understand one thing, if Jamaica goes down, so do you both; but Jamaica does not have to go down, because Jamaica and Jamaicans hold the promise of greatness, yet unfulfilled. It is no accident that you both have come to prominence at this time and at the same time. You both have a vital role to play in the direction Jamaica will take from here on.

Are you aware of the awesome power you both possess as instruments of change in Jamaica's history? Jamaica will never change until we see ourselves as one people, i.e. as Jamaicans. Next to sports, the most powerful medium for the unification of our people is music . You both have been blessed with that talent and you can use it to further hasten us down the path of destruction, that we seem bent on pursuing, or you can be the vanguards of change that this country so desperately needs.

destruction or unification

Any direction you choose for our young people, they will follow - destruction or unification; which will it be? Hitler tried the former, where did it get him? Already you have influenced our beloved Ambassador Bolt, a far more enlightened individual than some of your followers, but he has already damaged the prospects of unity by his untimely and ill-thought quotes - "Gaza, mi seh" and "who don't like it can jump inna gully".

What started out as friendly rivalry has turned ugly, and has to stop. All three of you have to come together and demonstrate to Jamaica, and to the world, that rivalry means respect and should only serve to force each of you to bring the best of your talents to the surface. All three of you are Jamaicans of whom all Jamaicans can be proud, and not just an uninformed minority.

Peace Concert

I humbly submit that it should start with a peace concert, as was done by the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley (in whose footsteps you currently trod), to be held in the National Stadium when all attending would be encouraged to wear the colours of our flag (as at a Reggae Boyz match) and the minister of youth, sport and culture, Olivia Grange, could be in charge of organising same. Thereafter, the proceeds could be applied to School Feeding Programmes in primary schools islandwide.

Gentlemen, should you choose to take Jamaica in that new direction, then and only then, we may begin to see the Marcus Mosiah Garvey's vision for the 'black race' becoming reality.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON, QC

Kingston