Dear Editor,

This letter is inspired by a Jamaica Observer news report with the headline ‘A lot of murders result from people unable to debate issues’.

It makes perfect sense, because even in the Jamaica Observer’s online commentary medium — in which I participate — writers/bloggers, at times, display insulting and disrespectful behaviour to others with strong opposing views.

For the most part, though, the online exchanges is a pattern that is fortunately reflecting a sense of improved civility that can be attributed to the continued debate of opposing views that the medium accommodates.

Why our inability and reluctance to reason and debate as a people? This is a deficiency that often results in violence.

A debate competition is a worthwhile endeavour. Based on such factors, the St Ann Police Youth Club Council’s initiative is worthy of commendation for its vision. And, the naming of their debate competition in honour of slain police officer Keemo Walsh, whose life was taken by his friend during their disagreement because of their inability to agree to disagree, is admirable.

The only improvement I would reccommend to the police youth club’s important and crucial endeavour is that the debate competition should be held annually, as opposed to biennially.

Barrington Bryan,

Newark, New Jersey, USA

bbrypublish2@yahoo.com