'Shh', the silent killer

By Garth A. Rattray

It is thought that 'shh' is a 19th-century variant of 'hush'. It's not even a word, it's a sound. I find it ironic that such a quiet sound can speak so loudly about the kind of society that we live in.

It's arguably the most powerful sound in Jamaica today. 'Shh' can be heard in Parliament, in our courts, in our churches, in our police stations, in our offices, in our homes, in our communities and in our streets. The collective, nationwide 'shh' emanates such a deafening roar that it quakes millions of Jamaicans into silence.

I'm not referring to the 'shh' used to reduce noise. I'm referring to the 'shh' used to silence the people who should speak out about and against our many wrongs and our many crimes.

The most recent example of our silent society was the widely distributed security footage of the two men who murdered a businessman. Even if they were imported hitmen who fled the island immediately after their dastardly deed, someone should recognise them. Up to the time of penning this piece, the killers were still at large, several weeks after the murder.

EYEWITNESS REPORTS VALUABLE

Police investigators worldwide must depend heavily on witness reports and on-the-ground intelligence gathering to collect information in order to solve crimes. Although eyewitness reports are sometimes unreliable, fade and become distorted over time, physical evidence alone is often not enough to secure convictions.

Our murder rate has many people clamouring for the reinstatement of hanging. But that has not been proven to be as great a deterrent to murder as once believed. The greatest deterrent is being caught and convicted. If 'shh' continues to dominate and people with valuable information continue to remain silent, even if capital punishment resumes, who are they going to hang?

'Shh' is ultimately suicidal in several ways. 'Shh' guarantees that criminals will continue to get away with their illegal activities. This will allow them to choose their hapless victims and pick us off like low-hanging fruits on a heavily laden tree. After all, what's to stop them? The silent majority? In time, they will get around to the witnesses who said 'shh' to themselves and others. In time, 'shh' may very well lead to the untimely demise of those who chose to remain silent and not speak out on behalf of their fellow citizens who were victims.

INDIRECT SUICIDE

'Shh' allows the criminal elements in society to wreak so much havoc that it discourages business and investors both locally and internationally. It may be a slower, more indirect way of committing suicide but in the end, the result is the very same. The slow death of an entire country is a very painful thing to witness, so painful that many people see it but live in denial and in the ridiculous hope that somehow, someone else (perhaps a foreign power) will intervene and save us all. But only we can save ourselves and it begins with getting rid of 'shh'.

'Shh' allows that parent who sends minors out on the street to hustle to continue doing so day after day. 'Shh' gives the criminal boys down the road free reign to terrorise, extort, rob and even kill. 'Shh' enables the pervert paedophile to defile children and to completely destroy their lives. 'Shh' empowers the guy next door to steal from utility companies and end up causing us all to pay more for our service.

'Shh' propagates the corrupt practice of grafts and kickbacks at very high levels. This costs suffering taxpayers millions and diverts hefty portions of foreign loans into the pockets of crooks masquerading as decent, upstanding officials looking out for our welfare.

Put a stop to 'shh'. It is a silent killer of individuals, communities and, indeed, entire countries.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@mail.com