THE EDITOR, Madam:
JAMAICA HAS had its fair share of shifts and changes in the recent past, from the continuing rise in senseless murders, closure of factories, high percentage unemployment, decline in production, unpredictable devaluation in our currency. As we struggle to build our country, we have begun to understand more about the things that we will have to do to create a better society.
Certainly one of the things that we need to do is to expand our economic and investment horizons, either way, beyond North America into the Far East and Europe.
Analysis of the situation in relation to other third world countries shows that we are doing as well as many and better than most.
If we could only stop the "apparent joy" in killing our own brothers and sisters and increase employment, especially among our youths, then and only then can we make a difference in this beautiful land we love so much.
What seems to be lacking is national self-confidence. We have not shaken off the notion deeply engraved in our psyche that we are not capable of the achievements of more developed countries.
The negative feeling persists despite evidence to the contrary - evidence provided by the international recognition accorded our music, our sportsmen and women, our artistes, our dancers, and our nationals in the professions and in other fields. The evidence shows that Jamaicans are capable of the highest achievement in every field.
Let us therefore move into the new millennium with renewed optimism of changing our society to a more positive and prosperous one.
I am, etc.,
VICTOR A. CHANCE J.P
Riversdale P.O.
St. Catherine
