Dear Editor,

I have read with alarm and disgust a recent statement by the deputy mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon in which he carried out what seemed to be an unwarranted attack on members of the Diaspora, labelling them as unpatriotic cowards for seeking better opportunities overseas.

What I find quite troubling and very offensive is the fact that, at the time of penning this letter, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the Jamaica Labour Party, and the St James Municipal Corporation have not condemned or distanced themselves from this attack on people who have contributed so much to national life and development. Is it a shared opinion why no statement of condemnation has been made?

The timing of the statement by Councillor Vernon is rather unfortunate as it comes at a time when members of our Diaspora have legitimate concerns about Government being more accommodating and appreciative of their contributions to national development.

I cannot help but wonder why Councillor Vernon made such damaging utterances. You see, Councillor Vernon is a member of a party that has been displaying frequent acts of arrogance, so he, no doubt, felt comfortable making his pronouncement without fear that he would be held to account.

Words matter and the Diaspora is hurting from his broadside attack against them.

Would Councillor Vernon call Marcus Garvey, US Ambassador to Jamaica Rick Perry, General Colin Powell, and US Vice-President Kamla Harris’s family unpatriotic cowards for leaving the shores of this country, which lacks opportunities for a better quality of life?

I am yet to hear Councillor Vernon being condemned by our so-called political analysts for his diatribe, yet they were out of the blocks faster than Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in spinning Lisa Hanna’s letter of resignation from representational politics.

As a former local government representative, and an undefeated one at that, I want to assure the members of the Diaspora that the majority of Jamaicans recognise and appreciate their contributions to national life and we still have their backs.

Let Councillor Vernon stay in his ivory tower. But, as Bob Marley would say, “Belly full but dem hungry.”

Fernandez Smith

fgeesmith@yahoo.com