Dear Editor,

In spite of the of the ongoing conflict in Tivoli Gardens because of the government’s mismanagement of the extradition request for Christopher “Dudus” Coke, I must say the government now seems serious about cleaning up Jamaica, after the Jamaican people’s shouts of disapproval for the prime minister were loud and unavoidable.

I too share my disappointment, not because the government did not sign the request on account of certain principles, but to the unfortunate two-hats nature of Mr Golding. He asked for our forgiveness and as a responsible citizen I say let us forgive him. But forgiveness does not mean he should not be held accountable for his actions; after all some would not have asked for forgiveness. They would tell you straight, “Faget it, I nat into dat.” So my fellow Jamaicans let us not lose hope in our new-found powers that can force a prime minister to say he will resign and then say sorry.

Because of the “bangarang” that has ensued, the government has now recommitted itself to start a campaign to stamp out criminality.

Minister of National Security Senator Dwight Nelson has been quoted saying, “We are going to hunt them down.” It is all good and comforting, but let us not stop with Tivoli. In fact, let us not stop with the inner cities since some people seem to believe that only ghetto people are committing crime.

I heard the MP for North-West Manchester, Dean Peart, making comments about the ongoing saga. His line of argument seems to be supporting the prime minister’s action of allowing the warrant to be executed, but unfortunately the media missed a powerful yet damning statement by Mr Peart who said, “I hope Bruce takes this opportunity to clean up and get rid a dem old nayga deh”, which is an indication that suggests that only people of African descent are the criminals.

What of Jamicans of other races who have been engaged in crime too? Sir, please do not get racial with crime because it wears no colour.

Melvin Pennant

warriorsunleashed@gmail.com