THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM a Jamaican who has lived in Britain since 1961, during that time I have only visited Jamaica three times, the last was in 1996.
Since the advent of the Internet I have constantly kept in touch via the Go-Jamaica site.
In recent months and particularly since the start of this year I have become saddened by the news of violence in Jamaica particularly in the capital Kingston. We all know that Jamaica is the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands, and a lovely place to visit and reside, but the constant reports of violence has had a negative effect and I am sure is affecting the economy.
This morning (Thursday January 10, 2002) I was watching the BBC breakfast programme, shortly after 8 o'clock there was a report from Kingston, Jamaica (we do not get this very often on a prime time BBC programme) and this was about the seven people slain by gunmen in the Red Hills Road area of Kingston at the start of this year; it included interviews with one lady who is only alive because she hid from the gunmen under her bed whilst her friends were summarily executed. It is a chilling experience which most of us cannot imagine.
Another interview was with a lady who lived for 40 years in England and together with her husband they returned to Jamaica having purchased a nice home, the husband was executed on his way from the airport. It certainly does not show Jamaica in a good light.
Reading The Gleaner on Go-Jamaica almost daily, I read articles from writers all with great words of wisdom as to what should be done. There is one in today's (Thursday January 10, 2002) edition stating that the people should rise up and take back Jamaica from the criminals, another example of fine words written but as always they have no substance and no change will result.
Unfortunately many of my generation were taken to Britain, the USA and Canada by our parents and I think this exodus of our youth in the 1950s and 1960s may have sadly helped to produce the current situation. What can we all do about it? Honestly I have no answers and I doubt if any living person has an answer that will work.
Maybe the only saviour will be foreign intervention by we know who - that great power not many miles away from Jamaica.
I am etc.,
KARLTON CHURCHILL HYLTON
karltonhylton@hotmail.com
Surrey, England
Via Go-Jamaica
