Civil Society Must Stand Up Against Violence
I write to register my disgust and
disappointment about the recent spate of brutal acts against the children of
this country. I make reference to the savage murder of the six-year-old girl
from east Kingston who was missing, then found dead; the eight-year-old boy
whose father was shot and killed and the boy injured while they walked home.
The other incident which has me totally
baffled is the horrible way in which a student at Kingston College lost his
life when the taxi in which he was travelling was 'shot up' by the motorist who
was so enraged that his prized possession (BMW X6) was damaged by a taxi.
Our society has degenerated into the
worst form of anarchy, as we see evidence of lack of respect for authority,
life, institutions, law and order and, most important, lack of respect for each
other.
What would drive another human being to
viciously murder a harmless six-year-old? When does an accident give another
person the right to retaliate in such a crass manner? This coward should lose
his firearm licence with immediate effect.
I notice the silence among some of the
most vocal in our society. Have we all grown numb or are we all fearful?
Will we be able to achieve Vision 2030
'to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, to raise families and do business'?
If we continue along this slippery slope, may God help us. If there was ever a
time when we needed to teach civics, to continue our Citizenship Education
Programme and Values and Attitudes Programme, it would be now. We need to
rekindle the spirit of loving our neighbours as ourselves, being our brother's
keeper, being honest, and having integrity.
Let all of us in civil society stand up
and be counted. We cannot afford to cower in fear.
Dawn Gooden
Commentator, The Gleaner (July 7, 2011)
Contributor:
Rushelle Lennon
4th Year History and Social
Studies Student
Bethlehem Moravian College
As an educated Democratic citizen, we can combat crime in Jamaica by working together with the police and other officials to prevent criminal activities. Also, we will be able to know our rights and responsibilities and act on the part of them.
ReplyDeleteAs an educator of social studies I have expericence in this field that has taught me my rights and responsibilities as a citizen of a country, I strongly believe that I can help to combat crime by reporting any illegal or criminal acitivity I may see happening that is harning a human being.
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that students can be edify in the important roles they play in preventing crime and violence. By playing their part of reporting illegal or any other criminal activity to the authorities. Eradicating the syndrome of "informer fi dead" to "playing our part respectfully and tactically". We must be strategic and tactical in reporting these activities due to the nature of our country as well as respectful of our nation's crime fighters responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteYes Mr Black "imformer fi dead" syndrome needs to go if no one report illegal ativities then we all would be dead. If someone committs a crime they should face the consequences for the crime they have committed.
ReplyDelete