The Editor, Sir:

I wish to touch on a couple of areas where I note that disrespect is practised but not recognised among us. The word 'diss' is bandied about by the young in their reference to disrespect and they will even kill for being 'dissed', and yet I cannot get a week of decent sleep in my bed due to the disrespect shown by deejays and party lovers by their excessively loud sound systems being played at full blast all through the night.

It is 5:30 a.m. and I've got up to write this letter as there is yet again 'ado' somewhere in the vicinity, keeping me awake. I am not a killjoy and yes, this is Jamaica. However, it is my honest opinion that in any country that calls itself civilised, people should be ensured a noise-free period for rest and recuperation, sometime in 24 hours. This is necessary for the health and well-being of the individual, and for the prosperity of the nation as a whole. Is it unreasonable to expect peace and quiet between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.? This would be deemed respectful to those of us, the majority, who do not wish to party all night.

Good reason?

I have discussed the situation with friends and have even spoken to the custodians of the law, but there is always a good reason for the noise. The event is usually in aid of a 'dead yard' or a 'set-up'. Since when has dead yard become a place to party with loud music and a deejay forweeks before the funeral? Then the 'set-up' becomes a concert. And so it goes on. I have noticed a phenomenon that seems to imply that as long as the object of any action is to 'make a money', then it is all right and should be acceptable as an explanation for inappropriate and antisocial behaviour.

There is a rationale that if more money can be made then it must be made, even if it is to the detriment and inconvenience of others. And because this sentiment appears to be so endemic in the society, no one seems to mind, in the least, being treated disrespectfully.

Take for example, the use of so-called public transport, overloaded minibuses and vans, not to mention the loud music to which few object. People are herded on to these in Kingston, in a manner reminiscent of how I believe slave ships must have been loaded, all in the name of gain. And the majority of travellers seem to accept this as the norm.

These are just a few instances of 'dissing' that I wish to highlight and hope that others will help in their small way to recognise and start to change and try to imbue respect back into our society before total anarchy overwhelms us.

I am, etc.,

Megan Wilheim

marwilla@aol.com

Via Go-Jamaica