The Editor, Sir:
Recently while listening to a radio talk show two persons from the Grants Pen area, of St. Andrew were interviewed by the moderator. These people, who were mooted by the moderator as the 'architects of change' in brokering peace in the area, explained that they are left out of media reports and commendations.
As it became clear to me that since this initiative there have been no murders committed by either rival party in that area, I implore the powers that be to use this event as a tool to bring peace to other similar areas. These two people should be given a chance to bring their message of peace and their methodology to war-torn areas.
Working for peace
They should be lauded by the media as icons of change, so that their deeds can be emulated by our young people. In a country grappling with problems of excessive violence, it is refreshing to know that there are young people among us who not only believe in the value of peace, but are willing to work toward achieving it.
With the Mavados and Vibes Kartels of this world pledging on public media that they will not desist from performing songs interspersed with gun violence-oriented lyrics, and with our children being interviewed after the fact being blind to everything else except the fact that one artiste is more likeable than the other, it is quite obvious that we need to take a serious and sustained attempt at educating our children about the need for non-violent settlement of arguments.
Why do we always seem to find so much air time for publicising violent acts and so little for the messengers of peace? Do we really want peace to reign? Why do we still play music that contains lyrics inciting violence on our radio waves? Jamaica (I am told) records approximately 5,000 songs per week. I am sure we can find sufficient non-violent lyrics to play.
Can we create a weekly slot on our waves and in our print media for preening the work of the peacemakers please?
I am, etc.,
RUPERT ANDERSON
alfomega32@hotmail.com
Jamaica, NY
Via Go-Jamaica
