THE EDITOR, Sir:

If we are going to see change as a nation and build a better foundation, we have to accept and admit that we have made mistakes. No real change takes place without such acknowledgements.

We will spend the next 50 years as a nation without any significant improvement in respect to crime, our economic situation, our social disparity, our poor treatment of each other, etc., if we fail to acknowledge our wrongs.

The parable of the prodigal son spoke about a young man asking for his inheritance and squandering it on a lifestyle that was reckless, pleasure-seeking and selfish. He kept going down a spiral as he sought his own destiny with a careless attitude until he was at rock bottom.

One very important thing happened to him: he came to his senses and admitted his error. Then the change came.

I do not believe, as a people, we have come to our senses. There have been no serious admissions, and no real change has come therefore.

We have not heard the politicians admitting, in a genuine and real way, the wrongs and the mistakes they have made in regard to this nation. We have not heard them, on both sides, confess to the tribal divide they have created among most of the inner-city communities and the great loss of lives.

Church needs to confess

The Church should also enter the confession booth. In many ways, the Church has not lived up to the values it espouses and has sometimes demonstrated the same level of greed as those to whom they have sought to challenge.

The business community has not come to its senses either, as it is the PAYE persons who are still carrying the brunt of the taxes in this nation.

The middle class has been satisfied with pursuing their own fortune and but have closed their eyes to the plight of the poor.

Unless Jamaica comes to its senses like the prodigal son, we will not experience the blessing that our national anthem speaks to, 'Eternal Father Bless of Land'. I trust and pray that out nation will become a prodigal nation in short order, or we are doomed for the next 50 years.

BRUCE FLETCHER

bruceaf@hotmail.com