Glorifying violence is dangerous

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The glorifying of violence is more dangerous than the violence itself, just like the mind of the person holding the gun is more menacing than the mere presence of a gun.

Unfortunately in Jamaica violence is largely seen by many, not just as fluke that happens once in a while, but as a kind of regalia and mark of respectability.

So never be super surprised if you ask a child in kindergarten what he wants to be when he grows up, and his answer is a gunman. Perhaps that’s the way his father was able to finance the family’s needs – by robbing and killing. And even if that father is behind bars, or was killed in violence, the twisted upbringing may still leave the child convinced that his father was a hero.

The hyping of violence and the pushing of the wicked man status is more dangerous than any deadly drug out there.

It’s easy for a man in such environs is not seen as one who unfortunately committed a murder, but as “Di reel top Dawg” the “Papa props”. For instance, have an unpleasant exchange with a ghetto youth, and his proud and exalted response may be “A who yu a push up yu mout pan soh bwoy like yu a tri fi dis up evil man – yu waan man show yu...” The incidents of crime an violence do not occur haphazardly, but are fed by an environment that teaches badness is a proud crown to wear and it is sissies and spineless who shun it. The love of violence and its glorification is more lethal than any war. Where badness is fostered and celebrated, murders will happen without any provocation.

HOMER SYLVESTER

Elmsford, New York