Salute to vendors
One aspect of private enterprise in Jamaica is the entrepreneurship of the informal commercial sector. Our vendors may be seen at work in various towns or other locations where they ply their wares, often positioning themselves at nodal points especially where pedestrian traffic is plentiful.
I would like to congratulate our vendors for their ingenuity, initiative, foresight and determination to rescue themselves from the inertia of unemployment and destitution in an age where many persons feel forced to forsake the law and turn to crime and violence in their severely misguided, mistaken and very wrong efforts to fend for themselves and be comfortable in life.
I hereby encourage the many courageous vendors to continue to strive for freedom from the chains of poverty, to continue to strive for independence and self-worth and self-esteem. You help yourself, your friends and many customers whom you serve.
- C.D. Smith, Christiana, Manchester
Sweet music
My friends, have you noticed any change in the quality of music on the radio? Well, I have, and what a welcome relief from the old loud jarring sounds that used to be paraded as music.
As I listen day after day, I ask myself how in the world could some of these records get air play? Music should be soothing inspiring. It is said that music uplifts the spirit and calms the soul. Music can do a lot; it can heal and it can destroy. Even 'old me' had to put on a jig in my kitchen one morning when I listened to the strains of sweet music coming in over the air.
Music is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind, but there is a limit to everything. Music lifts our thoughts to realms above. Music binds our souls with chords of love. Music is for now and forever, so let us treat it as a treasure.
- Patricia Powell, Southfield P.O.
Sign language
On behalf of the Knox College Sign Language Club, I would like to extend our greetings to the unfortunate ones who have lost their capability to hear. As an executive member of the club I intend to bring forward an unconsidered issue in regard to the absence of certain privileges for the hearing-impaired in this country. Affected citizens need special attention as they are not completely exposed and explicitly updated to what happens in our country. This matter seems to be ignored.
They can't hear anything on television and the radio. We can make them understand what they see on television by using closed captions.
- Keturah Jameylah Jackson, Knox College High, P.O. Box 1735, Spaldings, Clarendon
