THE EDITOR, Sir:
KINDLY ALLOW me space in your very prestigious newspaper to reply by way of the written word to the Honourable Dr. Barbara Gloudon, popular talk show host.
During the period leading up to the deposing of the Haitian President, Mr. Aristide, Mrs. Gloudon received many calls from citizens airing their dislike of the Haitian people coming to the shores of Jamaica and being allowed to remain. The talk show host aired her disgust of these citizens' stance. One elderly man was upbraided for forgetting what he was taught by his parents. That is, to share "even half a chocho and little butter" with someone less fortunate than yourself.
Wonderful sentiments, Mrs. Gloudon. Only you forget, with all due respect, that this issue is one of more than just 'piece a chocho and butter". It is a political issue with far-reaching implications, as you must be seeing now. I say this to say that no matter what we may or may not think of our sovereignty, we are in a global basin. Our actions are monitored and recorded. And Lord knows we have enough going against us.
I hear and respect the Honourable P.J. Patterson for what he has said concerning Mr. Aristide not using Jamaica as a political platform. But, given the nature of the unrest in Haiti and the on-going indecision of the region on just how to treat the new government of Haiti, our citizens have every right to be concerned about the people of Haiti and their deposed leader being allowed to stay here.
Finally, I would like to add that although I was born in the seventies, I too was taught some good Jamaican proverbs. The one I would like to leave here is: 'Show me your company and I will tell you who you are'.
I am, etc.,
TROY BLAKE
yorte@yahoo.com
Manley Meadows
Kingston 2
