Respect is due to all

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WITH DUE respect to the Clarke family, and sensitivity to the circumstances surrounding the ill-fated operations by the security forces in upper Kirkland Heights that left Keith Clarke dead, I dare ask an important question: What if some nervous neighbour at Denham Farm, Christiana, had noticed a man at my house and thought it might be Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, then passed that 'intelligence' to the security forces, only to have my house surrounded and shot up, at the end of which I lay dead in front of my wife and children? Would I be afforded the same level of sympathy, outrage and investigation into the circumstances of my death?

I don't think we should wait to show our disgust for the wanton murders and outrage at injustice meted to Jamaicans until a person from a particular family, living in a certain neighbourhood, having high social connections and possessing material wealth is dealt the blow.

If we are serious about our motto 'Out of many, one people', then we are going to treat each and all with the same degree of respect, protection and attention under the law. One gets the impression at times that some persons life and blood are of more value and sanctity than others.

Informal networks

In our effort to stamp out gangs and gangsters' modus operandi in this country, I think we need to see some names of politicians, priests/pastors, police, celebrities (entertainers and big shots) appearing on the list for questioning. In many instances, some of the persons sit at the head of some informal networks that contribute to the scourge of crime, corruption and violence in this country.

And in the mix of our resolve to tame, capture or kill this three-headed monster (Crime, Corruption, Violence) plaguing us for so long, let us not rule out the 'noose'. I say, find the perpetrators, prove beyond a shadow of doubt that they are guilty of the atrocities and hang them very high for all to see. Then we will begin to bring Jamaica back to a place we all can live happy and free. If it worked for Tivoli under Dudus it will work for Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

Dave A. McFarlane

Manchester