THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN JESUS walked this earth the question was asked, "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" Two thousand years later the question lingers "Can any good come from our "inner cities".
The term itself conjures up images of "dons" and gunmen, destitution and crime. So ingrained are these images, we lose sight of any hope. We lose sight of the fact that there are decent law-abiding citizens living in these areas, that have jobs and careers just as we do, and have aspirations for a better way of life, particularly for their children, just as we do. There are policemen, teachers, business people, nurses, and civil servants living in these areas with children at universities, hoping to produce the professionals and leaders of tomorrow.
Even in terms of our education, we relegate the children of these areas to the vocational skills, such as carpentry and masonry, (not that these are not noble occupations), and ignore the fact that they are just as adept at learning how to delve into the field of research, technology, law, art and medicine. Let's not forget, Jamaica, that some of our leading sons and daughters both here and abroad have had their roots in the "inner cities".
Why do we believe that it is only in these areas that the proverbial gunman will hold us up and take our money? Why is there such a furore when crime occurs in these areas, and when the same thing happens in Cherry Gardens or Norbrook we try to make a quick cover-up. Yes, there are the gunmen and yes, there are the dons, but it is time that we stop stereotyping these areas and discriminating against decent folks because of where they live and originate.
To get ahead in life these folks are forced to give false addresses when applying for jobs and when selecting schools for their children. How can the people who come from these areas concentrate on building their communities when they are black-listed, and all they live for is the day when they can escape their circumstances?
There is a popular song that alludes to the fact that "Children live what they learn. If a child lives with criticism, he learns to criticise; if a child lives with hatred he learns to hate and kill. On the other hand, if a child lives with love he learns to love, and if he lives with praise he learns to succeed."
Could it be that our brothers, having lived with all the problems that exist in these areas, have learnt to internalise the signals that they live with everyday, and hence are only manifesting what they have learnt throughout the years? Don't you think it is time that we start to change our expectations of these people, recognising them as our equals, and expecting them to stand tall and proud, to portray the image for which our hero and martyr Marcus Mosiah Garvey fought for all black people worldwide?
In closing, I must say that for a period of 15 months I have been associated with one such area, Olympic Gardens, and in all this time I have never had anybody trouble me, harass or threaten me. My experience in this area has only been positive, and I am not saying that it is too late for a shower of rain, but I think the citizens of this area should be commended for the relatively safe environment that has existed in this area.
I would like to "big up" the citizens of this area, and to tell them that I expect great things from them, and live in hope that they will be role models for their sisters and brothers in similar areas, as they fly the flag high, not only for Olympic Gardens but for their nation, Jamaica.
So Jamaica, I ask the question once again, "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" The answer is a big resounding "Yes". Let us start living and believing this expectation.
I am, etc.,
HONORARY CITIZEN
Olympic Gardens
