Dear Editor,

One often wonders what kind of example aspiring leaders and leaders that are currently representing the Jamaican people, here and abroad, set for us to emulate. When sensible people sit down to listen to various parliamentarians speaking on platforms it’s often a total disgrace.So, leaders need to check themselves.

Children learn from what they see and what they hear.

Why does it seem we have lost total respect for our women? I recently received a video via Whatsapp with a young girl in Spanish Town being disrespected in front of an entertained crowd. Then comes the disrespect meted out to Ann-Marie Vaz from the People’s National Party’s (PNP) political platform last Sunday. The comments should not only hurt Vaz, but the entire Jamaican people. One businesswoman in Portmore, St Catherine, commented like this, “Mr Crawford’s attack against Mrs Vaz was not to her alone, but to all of us women.” I, too, share this common view as a moral thinking person and as a Christian man.

May I hasten to say to that only a public apology can steer Damion Crawford back into favour with the people. I say to Crawford, let your good works speak for the 30 years your party has held on to that seat; not your worthless words.

The behaviour of many of our politicians, and by far those who seek to arrest power through the electoral polls, leave much to be desired. These men and, to a lesser extent, women, are so loose and seem to have forgotten that it is the people who catapult them to power, and the people can take them out of power.

I am longing for a time when we can behave like decent, moral human beings. I am longing to see a Jamaica that will behave like people in the First World, who will let their vote speak their conscience.

Vaz was, in essence, ridiculed and put down to the lowest by a man who is hungry for power. In his political speech he displayed racism, classism, and utter disrespect for his female opponent. I want to ask the women and moral-thinking men of Portland Eastern, is this the kind of man you want to run the affairs of your constituency? Well, you all be the judge of who you want to represent you.

I stand resolute to honour and defend the women of this country; no matter their colour, class or educational background. What about you, Jamaica?

Alrick Davis, JP

alrico_dee@yahoo.com