I am deeply worried about the opinions of our best educated people who ought to know better. First it was Milton Brown, the mayor of May Pen, an excellent engineer and a graduate of the University of the West Indies, calling for the return of Reneto Adams as police commissioner.

Then Mr Howard Hamilton, a distinguished Queen's Counsel, also got it wrong; poor Vybz Kartel and Mavado have influence, not power as suggested by Mr Hamilton. Power is the ability to coerce people into doing what you want. Hitler had power. Usain Bolt clowns around before and after a race, but when the starter says on your marks, he is all business and serious.

Professionals

We need to understand that young doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots and other professionals listen to and dance to music from the likes of Kartel and Mavado, but they go out and perform their duties at a high standard. It is the uneducated who might take these songs literally. Mr Hamilton, the best way to mitigate the influence of these men is to have an educated population.

We don't need to fear these men; 99 per cent of our young people will not engage in wrongs because of them don't worry. Bob Marley became famous for I shot the Sheriff not Redemption Song. Jimmy Cliff told us that there is a rebel in me. It is a rebellious phase that we all pass through some through music, others through politics or sports. Have faith in our young people. After all, they are the leaders of tomorrow.

I am, etc.,

Mark Clarke

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com

St Elizabeth