The Editor, Sir:

here are our heroes? Who are our heroes today? Finding a hero in Jamaica today is probably more difficult than asking the cow to jump over the moon. The Jamaican children grew up hearing about Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley as names of our national heroes.

We were told about their resoluteness, the tremendous grit and determination they had, and their endless belief in what we could achieve as a people. They fought many bruising battles, in some of which they triumphed, others which they might have lost, but all great examples of the love they had for their family which was us.

As we celebrate National Heritage Week we should ask ourselves why do we have so many broken families and missing heroes from our homes and within society at large?

Is it because we no longer have male role models for our sons like Sir Alexander and female icons such as Miss Lou? We have former Prime Ministers like the Most Hon. Edward Seaga and the Most Hon. P.J Patterson who in their time at the batting crease emphasised that we are one nation that should stick together because we are achievers.

The list continues with Bishops H. Blair and D. Davis who have ministered on numerous occasions to their congregations and the wider society about the importance of family values. It is of grave concern to me that in spite of the efforts made by these individuals we still have so many broken homes and despondent citizens in our country.

The breakdown of morality and values within our nation stems from broken families. The absence of heroes in our homes today is destroying the very fabric of our society. Our sons no longer have father figures in their homes that they can emulate. Some of our daughters have found themselves in the unfortunate situation where there mothers are never home because they are left fighting so many storms in an effort to provide hope for their children.

Epidemic

Broken families and missing heroes are almost like an epidemic disaster that needs to be tackled with some degree of urgency. I would like to see the government, the private sector, the educational institutions and the churches formulate a comprehensive education programme on the importance of family values to Jamaican life.

If we can bring back the family together, then we should be able to take the country to its full level of potential. Our country will never be better if we cannot see the importance of the pillar on which it was built. It was built with our national heroes fighting for the black family. If we fight for our families we are fighting for society. Let us bring back the family and take back the nation!

I am, etc.,

CRAIG DAVIS

ccraig73@yahoo.com

Chartered Accountant and Member of the

Association of Freelance Writers (England)