Dear Editor,

As I reflect on our beloved island, I’m filled with vexation and concern. Our nation’s pillars — soldiers, warriors, and community stalwarts — are dwindling, leaving a void. The demographics of our cities and communities have transformed dramatically, and the social fabric is fraying.

Many owe debts — social, financial, and spiritual — yet some respond with hostility. Hypocrisy abounds, while scams, fraud, and incompetence plague our markets. The cost of living has skyrocketed, forcing me to skip meals to make ends meet and do a little, and mind you, I do mean a little, saving. Members of our society have been gripped by alienation, isolation, stress, and loneliness.

Substance abuse and addiction are rampant, with cigarettes, new drugs, and counterfeit liquor flooding the market. Our national beverage is now the “special”, a mixture of white rum and Boom Energy Drink. The system seems heartless: law enforcement treats citizens with suspicion, while politicians and elites enjoy privilege.

Claims of economic growth ring hollow when confronted with grass roots reality. Community members suffer because our health-care system is woefully inadequate. Our education system has fallen short, casting doubts on the nation’s future.

Friends confess anxiety attacks, and crime’s presence looms despite official claims of decline. Our music has become a death cult, glorifying negativity. Maintaining mental stability in this environment is a constant struggle.

Ever so often we hear members of today’s generation saying, “Jamaica is not a real place.”

It’s time for introspection and collective action. Selah!

Yannick Nesta Pessoa

yannickpessoa@yahoo.com