THE EDITOR, Madam:
IN RESPONSE to Prof. Miller's article on deportees, I feel there are facts that need to be examined before we can begin to embrace these deported villains. The Rt. Hon. Marcus Garvey was in fact deported to Jamaica not because of criminal activities but because of his struggle to end black suffering which offended the US Government.
Keep in mind that after his deportation Marcus continued his quest for equality and justice and was imprisoned and prosecuted by the Jamaican Government. As a matter of fact Marcus Garvey was not accepted as a freedom fighter in Jamaica until after the rest of the world, including the USA, recognised him as such.
On close examination of our modern day deportees there are no similarities between them and the Hon. Garvey. As a practising member of the law enforcement community I have firsthand knowledge of this. There are circumstances when people with no ties to Jamaica are deported and that should not happen. But when you sell your soul to the devil what can be expected? What kind of deal does the US have with the Jamaican Government that allows for the deportation of Jamaican citizens?
Most of the deportees from the US, if the truth be told, are political refugees who were sent from Jamaica to the US after the party they supported (read, killed, maimed, looted and burned for) lost an election.
A lot of them had criminal records which leaves one to wonder: How did they get a visa? Some even bought birth certificates and other documents necessary for travel. They are accustomed to a certain lifestyle from Jamaica and when they arrive wherever they chose they just picked up where they left off. They are caught and prosecuted then deported armed with new and advanced knowledge of the criminal enterprise which they chose to embrace. What good is an embrace from the public which they do not care about is going to do? It's a noble idea which should be cautiously pursued.
If someone is accustomed to living on several thousand dollars per week it will be very difficult for them to live on a few hundred dollars per month. If Prof. Miller is in contact with these people while they're on top of their game then he'd have seen how they live. To maintain donship in the community, the barrels, not to their relatives, but to cronies, have to keep flowing. When they come home on trips it's community dance and plenty bashment while their relatives live in squalor.
They are after what they can get for free and nothing less. I must agree that they need to be helped but first let's examine their background. A sick person cannot be cured if their ailment is not known.
I am etc.
RICHARD WALKER
E-mail: www.dred24@hotmail.com
Boston, Ma., USA,
Via Go-Jamaica
