Letter of the Day | Will the senseless killings ever stop?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Except for deaths that occur naturally or via natural disasters, we are gradually becoming numb to the wanton, senseless and frequent killings around us. It seems to be the order of the day that, if the media (print and electronic) are not splattered with bloody scenes, police vehicles and weeping relatives, the news is not newsworthy.

We know the root causes of these killings – covetousness, hatred, laziness, get-rich-quick mentality – which has been amplified by scamming and the political games that had been played prior to the 1980s. Be that as it may, when will the killings stop? What are we doing about it?

An erroneous act, without correction, gradually becomes an accepted norm. The politicians have promised us term after term that they have bolstered the constabulary and defence forces, but instead we have seen significant increases in the killings, not just in the metropolises but in every nook and cranny of our beautiful island.

The idea of divine intervention put forward by former minister of security, Peter Bunting, was scoffed upon – that God is too busy to become entangled in the affairs of mere mortals. Some rather relish the idea of a wild west – where every man becomes his own police, not far-fetched, the lawyer, judge and executioner.

The Jamaica we envisioned and immortalise is already etched in the minds of our people. Due to years of foolish practices our lands will become saturated with strangers and our rich heritage will be erased like words written in sand. The saying remains true, that ‘When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father’s estate.’ – Ibo proverb

Where are the wise village chiefs who will take our men and teach them how to look through the eyes of love; where are the village mothers who will rock those cradles with love and skilful guidance; where are the brothers and sisters who will judge with truth and justice, not to expel but to reform and transform?

The senseless killings will end when the wise men of the village start teaching the villagers the right ways and not leaving them to the village fools!

EVERTON TYNDALE