THE EDITOR, Madam:
THIS IS a response to the August 7 letter published inThe Gleaner entititled 'Living nightmare'.
If we are to solve the problems of tyranny of the gunmen and violence that now grip the island we have to address the following conditions immediately:
Understand the causes of violence: that this violence is perpetrated by desperate young men who have reached the stage of inhumanity, callousness, hopelessness, fear, hate, cynicism and distrust. These conditions have been caused by:
(a) poor socialisation
(b) low self-esteem
(c) poverty
(d) lack of education and job opportunities.
'Basic survival instinct' is what drives them. These young men don't place any value on life not even their own. They have a 'kill or be killed mentality'.
The authorities have tried to curb this violence by mainly a law-and-order approach. That is, more draconian police/ military/judicial/political approach; a more squalid and vengeful penal system. But this doctrine has not, and cannot work.
The authorities have failed to co-opt the citizens in the fight against crime; instead, we see where many citizens have come to regard the wrongdoer as their protector and defender, and the police as their enemy.
If the crime problem is to be solved, there has got to be urgent measures implemented by concerned Jamaicans to start a process of confidence-building measures to restore trust and co-operation between the police and the citizens; between the citizens and their leaders.
Settle their arguments
There also have to be programmes aimed at young men and boys conducted in the schools, churches, youth clubs, homes, on radio, TV.; in musical and cultural forums, etc., to teach and show the youth how to shun violence. How to settle their arguments peacefully. How to control their anger without resorting to violence. They have to be helped to understand the consequences of violence on themselves, their families and society.
Young people who are unemployed, untrained and poor will be attracted to violence, especially in a society that values individualism; where violence is glamourised in the popular media and where wealth and conspicuous consumption is the measure of success. Thus, a national plan has got to be devised to absorb and utilise the boundless energy of young people and turn this potentially destructive energy towards dynamic and creative endeavours.
Along with job-training and job-getting, young people must be taught and shown by their families, church, school and other institutions, the sacredness of human life that "one should not kill; that if one maliciously kills another, then one's life may be taken in exchange."
Thus morality, ethics and being "the keeper of one's fellow human being" as Dr. Rattray reminds us, should be taught and practised by all. We must never cower in fear; nor in our attempts to curb the excesses of the criminals, to use their methods to fight crime. We have to use intelligence, education, patience and love to overcome evil.
These are then just a few ways in which emancipation and freedom from fear of the gunmen can be accomplished in today's Jamaica.
I am etc.,
GEORGE S. GARWOOD
E-mail: gmr1872@aol.com
Jamaican citizen
1872 S.E. Gifford Street,
Port St. Lucie, Fl 34952