Garth Rattray

A few months ago I wrote about 'dem' (them) - the young, underprivileged, undereducated, jobless, futureless, (effectively) fatherless, heartless Jamaican males with gang affiliations. 'Dem' are the ones that killed not just one 'smaddy' (somebody) but, well over one thousand 'smaddies' last year. Clearly, 'dem' are growing from strength to strength in the crime arena and 'dem' no longer care who 'dem' kill.

'Dem' - poor ghetto youths

'Dem' are poor ghetto youths yet 'dem' have in their arsenal expensive Uzi submachine guns, M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles, a variety of pistols and pricey 9 mm semi-automatic handguns. 'Dem' also possess dozens of rounds of expensive ammunition to shoot as many 'smaddies' as 'dem' please. The authorities need to put even more effort into finding out who are funding 'dem', after all, snakes need their heads to survive.

'Dem' brazen enough to kill 19 policemen, including an assistant commissioner of police, this year. 'Dem' even have a hit list with the names of several cops on it. When 'dem' decide to murder others (even if it's some of 'dem' own), 'dem' will kill every living thing along the way - as evidenced by the murder of an innocent ten-month-old baby in the company of two of 'dem' when 'dem' were shot dead by others of 'dem' a few weeks ago. 'Dem' have taken retaliation and reprisal killings to a new low. It's now commonplace for 'dem' to shoot people just for breathing the air in a targeted community or near targeted individuals.

Citizens are very worried because they know that when 'dem' kill so many (including our protectors) with impunity, 'dem' are showing disrespect for everyone in society and are determined to subjugate us through anarchy. But, the police will not allow that; they will not allow 'dem' to intimidate the constabulary. Obviously, 'dem' don't realise that, so far, it's morality, the law, civil society, the concern for human rights and fear of collateral damage that are keeping the police from waging outright war against 'dem'.

'Dem' have visited extremely painful experiences upon us. 'Dem' have committed double, triple, quadruple and even quintuple murders this year. 'Dem' have shocked and dismayed our nation. 'Dem' have horrified Jamaicans big and small, young and old, at home and abroad. 'Dem' have caused many that could contribute to the advancement of our society to migrate and contribute, instead, to the development of other nations.

Cause pain and suffering

'Dem' cause so much pain and suffering that 'dem' mash up Christmas again. Christmas used to mean commemorating the birth of Jesus, holidays, cool and breezy nights, cold mornings, decorations, seeing friends and visiting relatives. It was full of church services, carolling, parties, presents, food, fireworks and firecrackers the holy season has been usurped by consumerism, many Jamaicans managed to enjoy true Christmas cheer amid the perfunctory shopping and excesses. However, the cruel and evil actions of 'dem' have left the entire nation with lasting images of many gruesome, tragic and senseless murders. With so many people weeping, wailing and mourning the loss of their loved ones, with so many lives in shambles, once again, this year, the carol, We wish you a merry Christmas appears somewhat insensitive to the sadness and suffering of many of our fellow Jamaicans.

My Christmas wish is that, sooner, rather than later, people will realise that 'dem' are killing off their friends and family and destroying the country. If people stop protecting, sheltering and supporting 'dem', maybe next year we can sing, We wish you a merry Christmas without reservation.