The Editor, Sir:

I am living and working in South Carolina where many residents have never heard of Jamaica. Through us they are now getting introduced to our beautiful island and our unique culture. I hear many of my co-workers and students expressing a desire to sample this beautiful isle, making it sound as if coming to Jamaica would be a lifelong dream come true.

However, I am embarrassed to say that I have to be lying to them about something. There is no way I could ever tell them about the murder and mayhem I read about every morning in The Gleaner. I try to keep abreast of what is going on in my country, and I am scared to think what it must be like to interface with so much trauma on a daily basis. That is the one thing about my country that I do not miss. The high levels of crime and violence is now an epidemic which will greatly affect our tourism product. Many tourists will go to other islands which are 'safer' if we do not put our heads together and find a solution.

There is a great deal of good to lure people to our sunny isle. Many of my students want me to play reggae music, give them samples of curry chicken and show them the dutty wine. I can't do it but I give directions and let them try it. They are fascinated about Bob Marley and his son Ziggy. Students and teachers alike are curious about my cuisine, interrupting my short lunch time to ask me about my food and how it is prepared.

I placed a flag of Jamaica in my classroom and it drew so much attention and sparked many a discussion. The thing they love most is our language. It always amazes me when I slip into creole in a moment of anger and they fall mighty silent. Then they say 'uh'.Thereafter ensues a lesson in Jamaican creole which leaves me giving awkward reasons as to why I won't tell them the Jamaican curse words.

Monster of crime

But regardless of how attractive all these things are, if something is not done about the monster of crime which stalks the land, then Jamaica stands to lose out on many tourist dollars. The market for the Jamaican tourist product is great. I did not know that there were so many people who know little or nothing about our country. Let us work together on this one.

Politicians, gang leaders, dons, mothers who hide bloody clothes, girlfriends who wash them, gun importers, corrupt cops, party faithfuls and cold-hearted don gorgons, we need to fix the crime problem and make our country safe for the eager tourist with dollars fi spend.

I am, etc.,

JASMINE MATTERSON

teacherjas@yahoo.com

South Carolina

Via Go-Jamaica