Well done Jabary Williams
Last week, the Jamaica Observer published the story of 19-year-old Jabary Williams who faced ostracism from members of his community, after he returned $100,000 which he found to the rightful owner.
He was subjected to several verbal attacks from residents after he was rewarded with a mere 100 dollars from the rightful owner.
“I have even gone to play football and have been told to leave the field,” the Jabary said, adding that he was made to feel like an outcast.”
We are thankful for, and applaud the many commenters under that article, who commended Jabary, as well as Sagicor who took it upon themselves to come to the aid of Jabary and his family.
But seldom has an instance allowed such stark viewing of the twisted moral core embedded within much of Jamaica’s populous. This community, which ostracized Jabary, showed an ugly underbelly to Jamaica’s culture which we have long anecdotally recognised. It is the twisted moral core that curses corrupt politicians for stealing from the poor, but believes it is okay to steal from each other or those who may be slightly better off.
It is the core that has allowed lottery scamming to spread with the acidity it has. Apologists who spout such ideas as ‘we live in a dog eat dog world’ tend to defend this culture as the symptom as poverty. However, truthfully, it is difficult to see any of our problems being solved before we correct this hypocritical morality. Stealing is stealing. And it is wrong regardless of one’s circumstance’s.
The day we condemn an honest youth for doing the right thing is a terrible day. teenAGE congratulates Jabary for standing up as a beacon for those who know and believe that honest young Jamaicans still exist in underprivileged circumstances. We commend him for maintaining his resolve in the face of a misguided community.