NOTEWORTHY

Fuming over burnt garbage

I am asking the authorities to embark on a public campaign to highlight the dangers of burning garbage, especially plastic and styrofoam products. The fumes from these materials are detrimental to not only human beings, but to the environment.

Why is it that we only speak about second-hand smoke from cigarettes? What about the burning of garbage? Where I live, off Windward Road in St Andrew, it is a nuisance. I am plagued by burning everyday. The fumes affect not only persons who have respiratory illnesses, but also a lot of other people. I have been asking what can be done about those persons who keep burning rubbish, but there is a deafening silence.

In my humble opinion, there is going to be a huge increase in respiratory illnesses a few years from now, if Government does not try to stop this practice. I am not only sick from the fumes, but am also fed up!

SR

JA's Motto - a wish

Thank you Peter Espeut for your article titled 'A legacy of racism' in The Gleaner of August 6. I found it very thought-provoking, yet felt a wave of sadness as I read about the former slave owners and slaves ... so true.

It is as if from then until now, the lower class has not been given substantial resources to enable proper planning to raise, and even double, their standard of living! So sad.

What you said at the end is so poignant. I never really thought of it like that, but, yes, our motto is really more a wish than an accomplishment. I pray that one day, this will be a reality.

God bless.

Karen Ferguson

Black men won't talk

I'm studying for my advanced diploma in counselling and psychotherapy and am keen to find out why some black, young men are so reluctant to talk about the personal issues they are facing, and often appear unwilling to undertake any form of counselling. I'd be interested in hearing their experiences, so please get in touch. All responses will be kept confidential.

Rory Donaldson

research@thecounsellingservices.co.uk