Dear Editor,

I am truly confused as to whether or not Raymond Pryce is a “king” or a “jester”. The reason for this remark comes from my surprise that he was on television recently doing what he normally does: defending the prime minister and the Government and explaining his version of the infamous “prison gift”.

It took Pryce to provide the most sensible reason for a new prison that I have heard; that the conditions of the two principal prisons are of such that if there were to be an earthquake, both could crumble. He also reminded us that, in addition to the people incarcerated in the prisons, there are free Jamaicans who belong to families employed at the prisons. In that case warders and prisoners have to experience the terrible conditions of the prisons. This is an important point, as many of us believe that once someone gets into prison we must lock them up and throw away the key.

His spin on the whole situation caused many of us to rethink our initial reaction. He also found the time to point out that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had announced in Cameron’s presence that Jamaica intends to pursue reparation for slavery from Britain — even though I don’t remember hearing it myself. As usual, he silenced the other panellists with his point of view. Pryce definitely has a gift — maybe of gab.

The surprise on this occasion was that just a few weeks before Pryce was dumped and rejected by the very People’s National Party (PNP) he was now defending. Even your paper had a front-page story saying ‘Redman Time’. Most people, after such a rejection, would be shy about coming publicly in defence of those who kicked you out — unless such a person has no shame, is a masochist, a jester, or is bigger than most men and is truly a king.

Then my grandfather simply said: “Pryce is a man of my own heart. The party is bigger than each of its members. Pryce is a big man and a true Comrade.” That led to a debate in our house which is similar to the ones going on across our community and at my workplace. What is the message that the PNP is sending to first-time voters and young people when individuals like Pryce and Crawford are being discarded for older candidates? At first it felt like a slap in our faces. Now it seems that Pryce is right. Not just because it’s the surname of the former member of parliament, it is also the surname of my dear grandfather and, of course, grandpa is always “right”. Well done, King Raymond.

Amoy Martin

amoy.prettymartin@gmail.com