THE EDITOR, Sir:

IN YOUR edition of April 24, you reported the prime minister as having said that "there will be no repeal of the buggery laws." This comes as a relief to those of us who would like to ensure that mainstream Jamaican culture remains a heterosexual one. For, like it or not, laws affect a culture. Change a law and you change the culture which that law encouraged. A law can support a culture or it can undermine a culture.

Vigilance necessary

However, as a society, we need to be vigilant, as our leaders will come under continuous pressure from others. We have to be consistently fighting those practices which we regard as not being in the best interest of society, as otherwise our leaders will have an excuse to exercise judgement in favour of the 'as is' as distinct from what 'ought to be'.

If we want to see a new day in our society then, collectively, we need to unashamedly establish norms, vigilantly watch over them, continuously reaffirm them and resist the temptation to give in to the 'as is'.

I am, etc.,

S. RICHARDS

2 3/4 Ruthven Road

Kingston 10