Dear Editor,

I read the Jamaica Observer online, which gives outstanding reporting on the nation and must not be silenced by any group, whether government or any other entity.

As an African-American, and a professor at a distinguished university, I am disturbed by the violence that continues to permeate your nation. I and a Jamaican colleague of mine work together politically on ways to articulate and proactively communicate the dynamic issues related to

this violence.

When I interpreted the history of Jamaica and its concerned statesmen, I have identified why your country bleeds so profusely. The citizens of Jamaica should have an opportunity to voice their abhorrence, with a call for relief, recovery and rehabilitation from the Government. It is the Government and the leaders who are the servants, albeit the policymakers, and not the other way around.

What happened to the five-year-old child — his throat lacerated — is a clear horror for all. What I can tell you is, if this kind of crime were to take place here in the US, the entire city would come out and demand that the killer or killers be apprehended.

Where are the advocates of humanity with their influence? How long will it take the Jamaican Government to comprehend the reality of the great multitude and the call for it to cease the circus performance around this issue of crime and violence?

The news online conveys the case about the minister of justice in court, saying she does not have an address for an alleged drug dealer and gun-runner, who is wanted by the US Government. For a person of such calibre, holding such an office as attorney general, this is a gross affront to the nation — indeed,

the world.

As reprehensible as you may think crime and violence is in such a small nation, there are individuals who must be called upon for open and public declarations against it, and a pledge of commitment to its eradication. There is no place in such a debacle for the irresolute. All must be called upon for a pledge to a higher morality.

Concurrent to these temporal matters, there must be a people-level campaign to address the deep-felt pain and despair which by now has permeated most, if not all, facets of Jamaican society. Such efforts must take the form of spiritual fortification.

Also, there must be a call for education-based outreach efforts in collaboration with politicians and NGOs.

This coming together of both

sides will put an end to the depravity and carnage which has now

become pervasive.

Conversely, there are other island nations that tourists will visit if violence in Jamaica continues at this level. It that were to happen, it would heap further misery, of a socio-economic kind, on the people of Jamaica.

I will comprehensively articulate these factors at the university where we have many Jamaicans — both student and faculty — who have moved on to great achievements.

Professor Gibbs Davidson

New York, NY

prof.gibbsdavy@yahoo.com