NOTE-WORTHY

I know not the man

My home was recently raided and searched by the security forces in their hunt for fugitive Christopher Coke. During the search, the lawmen acted in a very professional manner but, as reported by the media, they did not find Mr Coke.

I wish to state categorically that I do not know Mr Coke; I have never met Mr Coke and I have no connections, whether business or personal, with Mr Coke.

I also wish to publicly declare that I do not condone criminality in any shape or form and I am, and will continue to be, a law-abiding citizen with great respect for all the laws of our beloved country, Jamaica.

Kenneth Black

Ingleside, Mandeville

THANK YOU, AIR J PILOTS

Prior to the recent changes, I am sure most of us who had flown with the airline could tell by their level of communication with passengers and their tone of voice that Air Jamaica pilots were competent, enjoyed their jobs and took pride in their exemplary performance.

I don't know the circumstances which led up to his remarks, but I was saddened by the fact that Captain Capleton believed that he was treated like a "common criminal" after having flown his last flight for Air Jamaica a few days before his passing.

All Air Jamaica pilots should be given a standing ovation and medals of honour for keeping us so safe in the skies all these years and I hope that, regardless of the recent changes, the standards will remain the same.

Hope Markes, Hanover

Apartheid visa

I find this story about the 'visa system' for residents in Tivoli Gardens disconcerting and it has left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Jamaicans! Jamaicans! This 'visa' - should read passbook - is exactly what the Afrikaners imposed on the people, especially on the blacks, of South Africa.

The purpose of recorded history is to teach us. Have we forgotten that immediately after the Sharpville massacre in 1960 Nelson Mandela burnt his passbooks and soon after that the Afrikaner government of the day clamped down on all protests and banned the African National Congress for the next 30 years.

Nelson Mabida Mandela and his friends: Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Joe Slovo, et al, were all incensed by what was happening that they were prepared to go to prison.

Marcus Garvey, Peter Abrahams, George Pasmore, all Jamaicans, had a profound influence on Nelson 'Madiba' Mandela. Did they not inform or influence us?

The events of the last two-three weeks are teachable moments. We should not miss this opportunity.

A Buddhist Proverb: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

It is time to stop and think! The teacher is in the room.

Ken Sterling, ksterl@gmail.com