THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE CURRENT practice in Jamaica of the widespread use of the sanitised or politically correct terms 'sex workers' when referring to prostitutes, and 'sex industry' when referring to prostitution, sends a clear message of a trend towards acceptance or legitimisation, if not outright legalisation.
Jamaicans have had a long, hard history of brave struggle and sacrifice to lift our people out of the quagmires of slavery, poverty, indignity, ignorance and exploitation. Are we ready to give up now?
Surely those who must earn their living by renting their genitals, instead of by using their brains or hands, are little better off than the slaves of yore in terms of human dignity. Is this what we want to be 'accepted' ... in our beautiful home called Jamaica? Is this what we want for any of our people?
Jamaica has been through a nightmare of crime, corruption and - let's be honest - plain bad government ... for over 30 years. During that time the economy and standard of living for the majority of Jamaicans has not progressed. Too much investment, capital, jobs, factories, industries and talent have all fled the Island, leaving too much poverty, crime and social chaos behind. It is not surprising that prostitution emerges from the resulting desperation, as it did in the devastated countries of Europe after World War II.
Jamaica is at a crossroads in history. We have a tremendous amount of talented, capable people of quality in Jamaica today; however, too few of them are in positions of government and political leadership. It is, perhaps, time for those who care about what is happening to their homeland to step forward, to take action and to take charge. What is the alternative?
Jamaica needs, at last, some good government so that the economy and the standard of living of all of the people will improve. That's one way, perhaps the best way, to reduce the incidence of prostitution ... and poverty. Hopefully Portia Simpson Miller will make a big difference.
I am, etc.,
ANTHONY G. GUMBS
aggumbs@aol.com
Via Go-Jamaica
