Dear Editor,

I am calling on all Jamaicans to stop and think about the future of our country and our children. Life will continue after December 29 and it makes no sense to continue the old ways of tribal politics marred by violence. In the end, political violence does not benefit any of us. I find it hard to believe that well-thinking Jamaicans are willing to bring harm to each other in the name of politics.

When elections are being held in the United States of America we do not hear of buses being shot up with Democratic or Republican supporters, neither do we hear of buses being stoned during their motorcades. We are in the age of technology and everything that happens here is easily transmitted across the world. We are not sending a good message to the rest of the world. What about the “one love” message we preach to visitors? We are driving away investors and making life that much harder for ourselves when we perpetrate political violence. We cannot exist on our own as a country; we need the help and support from other countries, and when we behave like hooligans we are driving away foreign capital used to stimulate economic growth.

We are a democratic country and we all have the right to vote for and support the political party of our choice. It is really sad that a December election seems to pose a problem as many people fear an upsurge in violence during the festive season. There should not be any fear. We should live in a safe country where any date for the general election is without consequence. Jamaicans should be able to go out on that day, cast their ballots and go about their business as they wish without fear.

What is the example that we are setting for our children? Do we want our children and grandchildren to grow up and replicate this kind of barbaric behaviour? It is high time that we start thinking and acting like civilised human beings. End political violence now.

Annakay Lewis

Spanish Town, St Catherine

annakay.lewis@gmail.com