THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS I read an article in the Sunday Gleaner on the topic of informers, it brought tears to my eyes, not just the article itself, but when I remember five of my close friends who were slaughtered like animals within the past four years and to date no witnesses have come forward or given any statements relating to any of these brutal crimes. Why? Maybe they are afraid to end up like some of the informers entertainers make reference to in their songs, ordering executions of those who give information to the authorities.
However, I am a bit confused - who is an informer? If I see people in my community being murdered, children raped, senior citizens being mugged and abused and I decide to take a stance by giving information, am I an informer? What if I bore witness to the murder of a close family member of one of these entertainers who thinks 'informer fi dead'? Should I 'hear and deaf and see and blind', or should I make an exception because they are entertainers and be an informer on that one occasion?
My opinion is that these entertainers lack empathy and compassion for victims of crime, but until they are directly affected they will continue to infect the rest of our society with the idea that giving information is something wrong. The sick 'ghetto mentality' seems to be spreading in our poor little Jamaica like wild fire, as youngsters continue to emulate these entertainers and even go to the extent of turning their words into reality. Some entertainers couldn't care less, as long as they are making money and they aren't directly affected by the violence they continue to glorify.
ENCOURAGING TO KILL IS NOT A SOLUTION
I could name a hundred other factors that contribute to the crime in our society that people will use as an excuse, but I am sure encouraging Jamaicans to kill other Jamaicans is definitely not a part of the solution. Therefore, I am appealing to persons encouraging violence against decent people who cooperate with the police to desist and let us all work together to try to rid the communities of those who stop us from going about our business in peace. I am also calling on the authorities who regulate what is promoted through the media to ban those who influence violence against informers and police, or we will continue to reap the fruits of violence which others continue to sow.
I am, etc.,
D. DOUGLAS
douglasdamion@yahoo.com
London
Via Go-Jamaica
