NOTE-WORTHY

Garveyism is irrelevant

I could not believe my ears when I heard on the radio that there is a Marcus Garvey movement that is alive and well at the University of the West Indies. Who could ever imagine that, in this century, people who are supposed to be the more educated are still clinging to outdated maxims!

During Garvey's time, most blacks felt that 'evil' white governments were oppressing them. Garvey formed his movement in response to what he thought was white oppression. This was decades ago! Why it is that people still continue to think that way remains a mystery to me!

Those of us who still think that others are oppressing blacks are definitely living in the past. In today's world, all people have the same opportunity to be great. The problem with us blacks is that we have squandered ours. Look at the mess we created around the world - in Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and yes, Jamaica. We have no one but ourselves to blame! Indeed, there is not a single strong black country that we can point to as being our creation.

The 'learned ones' who continue to fool themselves by being part of this Marcus Garvey Movement need to read less what their textbooks are telling them and think more. No one is holding down the black man! Leave Garvey alone and let the dead man rest in peace!

Michael A. Dingwallmichael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Why blame the church?

Esther Tyson and others are reported to have criticised the Church for not doing enough to fight crime. But I would say that the system - which Mrs Tyson, as a school principal, is equally, or even to a larger extent, a part of - is to blamed for the failure. The school system has more direct contact hours with the population, on a daily basis, than the Church. Therefore, through its policy implementation, they can put a dent in this crime monster.

I also want to agree with the Reverend Karl Johnson in responding to her statement in The Gleaner, January 4, when he said, "The crime situation is far more complex than Ms Tyson sees it. If it were as simple, as some thought, the solution would be found long ago."

When the Church speaks against 'condoned societal' practices such as gambling, which is a potential breeding ground for criminality, it is lambasted by the critics who created systems that promote this monster. Are they looking for a scapegoat?

It is a fact that some churches would have loved to do much more, but they are handicapped by limited resources. The Church's income is basically contributions from poor members, whose ability to give is greatly reduced by excessive taxation, with little or no regards for the abject impoverish conditions these people are in.

Before one lambastes the church, examine all the possibilities.

Robert Daley

rbrt_daley@hotmail.com

Sandy Bay Dist

Hanover