The Editor, Sir:

Living in the United States for over four years I witnessed a hostile anti-Jamaican political lobby: "Jamaica mash up, only crime and violence, me not putting foot back down there." Ironically, some of the same people had to attend family funerals and other emergencies, and when they returned - "Boy the place nice, well developed, highways, boy me see some breed of houses ... Yard good man, we want to return home, but if the crime and violence could reduce."

This is the truth of Jamaica, with crime and violence, indiscipline, the breakdown of home and family life, unemployment an high prices. Jamaica is still the pearl of the Caribbean. We can change and improve things.

Jamaicans are hybrid, we have good qualities that one can require from a people anywhere under the sun: hospitality, smarts, versatility - we can cook nice food sometime 'without salting'. We are athletic, musical, academic, culturally alive, politically alert and easily agitated against racial injustices, known and respected and cover the face of the Earth. We work hard abroad, knot and send send home money for relatives and friends, though some are lazy and have the freeness mentality.

Yes, we must seek to improve things in truth, honesty with justice, love and tolerance, using the head and mind and even to vote. We practice the principles of grace until they become habit and form characters, and when happiness results in good consciences there will be no fear in private or public life to make right choices and noble decisions.

I am, etc.,

WEBLEY CHRISTIE

Old Harbour