The gene pool is in our favour
Dear Ms Thompson,
We must be very mindful of trying to pursue this argument that our success at the recent Olympic games is a result of our genetic make-up. Over the last week, I have read about studies and conclusions without any detail of the stochastic parameters. This is a dangerous premise, fallacious and a discounted argument of white supremacy. This could lead one to deduce that levels of illiteracy, ignorance and constructive thought are related to our 'higher percentage of fast-twitch fibres and lower levels of slow-twitch fibres than white people'.
I remember that at school, if you were a good runner on the track team, you did not have to worry about lunch money. It is simply a matter that athletes are nurtured throughout their formative years. Full stop. If our minds and thought processes had received the same level of intense nurturing, we would marvel at the articles in our Jamaican newspaper. Best regards.
- Fitzroy Beckford
Domestic violence and men's health
Dear Dr Williams-Green,
My name is Ivor Toney. I'm a student at Centennial College In Toronto, Canada. I was reading your article on domestic violence. It really intrigued me. I am currently doing a cross-cultural study of the Jamaican family. I am looking for statistics or a synopsis of how bad the problem is throughout the island. Thank you very much for your input.
- Ivor Toney
Dear Ivor,
Thanks for your interest in this painful problem. For further statistics, I suggest you visit the Ministry of Health's website: Violence prevention alliance at www.moh.gov.jm/vpa/violence.
- Dr Pauline Williams-Green
Dear Dr Williams-Green,
I read your article online. It was a great piece. I would like you to see a three-part video of a documentary on Youtube titled, 'Jamaica, Nuff Problems'. I believe you will find it very interesting. If you do, please pass it on so that everyone can see what's happening to us here in Jamaica. Please let me have your feedback.
- Phoenix
Dear Phoenix,
Thanks for your feedback. We have a lot of work to do among the men, women and children, who make up our families.
- Dr Pauline Williams-Green
Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.
