THE EDITOR, Sir:THERE have been several opinion pieces and letters to the editor in various newspapers warning that disproportionate criticism and condemnation of the police undermines their morale, gives aid, comfort and encouragement to vicious gunmen and therefore imperils the society.
But none of these so eloquently captures and conveys the message as does the photograph on the front page of The Sunday Gleaner on December 9, 2001, complemented by the accompanying photo on the same page.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one ends the debate.
It is hard to imagine not being touched by the image of a beleaguered policeman, distraught and overwhelmed.
Look into his weary, mournful eyes; see his sagging face, his hat slightly pushed back from his forehead.
Then lower your eyes to this drained, grey-haired old lady with her plaits of another generation, another time, gnarled arms around the neck of a despairing, concerned policeman lost in grief, head nestled in his protective breast, as another (the same?) elderly lady weeps in uncontrolled sorrow.
What symbolism! Where is the crowd ranting for "justice"?
Where are the moved, the concerned, who are committed to turn the tide of criticism and condemnation into support for the security forces?
Don't we care that reason and the public at large seem to be calling for a change of focus?
I am, etc.,
H. DALE ANDERSON
hdaleanderson@hotmail.com
Kingston 6
