Seize Coke assets if country benefits

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I SOMETIMES wonder if Jamaica will ever be the kind of place where peace, stability and justice can be experienced by all. Why do I say this? Jamaican leadership, the business community, the churches, the scholars, the entire nation, those at home and those abroad, have sat back enjoying their 'I'm-all-right- Jack' attitude, while gangsters ride roughshod over the rights and feelings of ordinary Jamaicans. Many have given tacit consent, while others have been open collaborators with these very same gangsters.

Now, I don't say this to beat people with a stick because the damage has already been done, which is what has brought us to where we are today. In my view, some deep honesty and soul- searching need to go on in Jamaica, and those who are doing wrong need to stop and take stock of how they are destroying our island and giving it a bad reputation around the world.

 This does not just apply to the known gangsters but to all who are doing the wrong thing, whether they be the big man/woman or the little man/woman. No country can prosper based on inequity, slackness and tolerance and collusion of wrong.

So in relation to the question posed about seizing the assets of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, if that will benefit Jamaica and nationals, then fine, but let's not get into useless actions that do not bring real change to our wonderful island.

For me, we must not go back to business as usual. We must be active in using this time to bring change into being and not just for the elite few but for all Jamaicans. We have the resources to do better and to ensure that everyone benefits. We may never get another chance like this.

I am, etc.,

Nzingha Assata