THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE ARE still in the throes of celebrating our 42nd Independence and we have much to be proud of. Yet one story can mar all that. In The Sunday Gleaner, there is an article by gospel promoter Markland Edwards, where he outlines being stalked by a telephone extortionist. He has opted to resign from his job and leave his home to protect himself and his family.
I have no solutions to Mr. Edwards problem, sad to say. He has already become brave by daring to report and not pay. Until business managers come out honestly and say that they are paying protection money daily/weekly/monthly to keep the leeches off their backs, nothing can be done. But they secretly pay and then publicly say that no one is extorting money from them.
It is time to eliminate that lie once and for all. There is a Jamaica that most of us are oblivious to, where dishonesty, extortion, known crimes are condoned or bypassed because we are afraid to speak out. We will never report it, or as in the story of the Good Samaritan, we walk by on the other side. The sad truth is that after these extortionists rob everyone blind they go to upscale homes and are far removed from those who they use to do their dirty work.
As a children of God we must remember some real facts, while he has given us a spirit of boldness he also requires us to have a sound mind and do what is wise to protect ourselves. Yet I also remember that he has given us the authority to trample snakes and scorpions in his name. As we embark on our 43rd anniversary an often quoted scripture comes to mind from 2 Chronicles: "If my people...would turn from their sin... then will I heal their land."
Only when we individually/collectively become good citizens, commit to this country in all areas, call a spade a spade, be truthful and honest in our dealings with our fellowmen can we truly say we are a nation of Christians.
I am. etc.,
S. WILLIAMS
spicey_shar@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 35
Kingston 7
