Wake up, Jamaica
published: Friday | October 8, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WRITE to applaud Ms. D'Aguilar in her letter dated, October 5, 2004, opposing to the tidal wave of letters sent in stating the apparent disregard that we have for our "Haitian brothers". Yes I do also sympathise with their plight, as well as the other millions of people around the world that are suffering economic and social disasters.

The reality is that Jamaica is in no position economically to support everyone... or for that matter anyone that requests asylum in our country. We can't even create enough jobs for Jamaicans of varying educational backgrounds and social status but we can take on a couple hundred Haitians to offer them.... what?

Really now, what are they going to do here in Jamaica? Add to the small skills sector of the island in woodwork and carpentry, taking away jobs from the already suffering Jamaicans in that area? And if that fails, deploy them on their own to seek jobs, roaming the streets to the already vagrant filled streets? It's a sad fact, but wake up Jamaica! Sometimes things cannot be helped.

I am, etc.,

ANDREW WILLIAMS

St. Andrew