Dear Editor,

Like many other individuals in this country, ever since the tragic death of Danielle Rowe, I have been awaiting a report that says, “The human with the heart of a beast, who took the life of Danielle Rowe, has been caught.” Unfortunately, to date, we have not yet seen such a report.

Jamaica, have we grown so desensitised, so callous, so indifferent? Have our hearts been seared with a hot iron, or turned to stone, so that we no longer feel the pain of others, a pain that would compel us to move, to act, to respond?

Do we have eyes but cannot see, or ears but cannot hear? This is Jamaica, someone saw, someone heard, or someone knows about this heinous crime. The blood of little Danielle, and all the other children killed, is crying out from the ground. Every drop of blood spilt, every ounce lost, will be required by God and by the law of the land.

Jamaica, we find ourselves besieged by an epidemic of crime and violence. We are a nation teeming with envy, pride, and laziness, a nation that has lost its moral compass and forsaken a godly heart that once bound us together.

How can we declare that our children are the future, yet we watch their lives being extinguished? We subject them to abuse, neglect, and a world marred by corruption and immorality. Our boys are drawn into gangs, causing them to later become leaders of gangs. This then transforms them into killers and scammers. Our innocent and precious girls are falling victim to the horrors of abduction, rape, and are being murdered.

As I reflect, my thought is simply this, it seems the insatiable appetite of our prisons can never be satisfied. Their maws are perpetually open, waiting to devour more lives. Our sons and daughters are being mauled by the three-headed beasts of crime, violence, and imprisonment.

My fellow citizens, parents, prime minister, and all other stakeholders, let us stop for a moment, reflect, and place ourselves in this anguished mother’s shoes, and do something, now.

To the beast who has taken Danielle’s life, I have just one question — no two, maybe three: What could a child possibly have done to warrant such a horrendous fate? What words could she have spoken, what actions could she have taken? Did you have a dispute with her parents, why didn’t you find a more amicable way to handle the matter? Why subject Danielle to such a merciless demise? Was she an offering? Was it an act of revenge? Jamaica still seeks answers, we are yearning for closure.

We don’t know the motive as yet, but God knows the motive of every heart. It reminds me of Cain and Abel in the Christian scriptures. When Cain thought no one saw him or would have discovered his vicious deeds, God was able to reveal the core of his heart.

You shall be caught.

Jamaica is still mourning, and when mothers mourn for such a cruel death, the conscience of the wicked will become their worst enemy.

Come, let us reason, Jamaica. Are we creating a country to live, work, and grow, or are we creating a nation that will be crippled by fear. Will your daughters or sons be safe? Will you be able to do business and enjoy the fruit of your labour? It depends on our action. What will you choose to do?

Together, let us awaken the dormant conscience of our beloved nation and breathe compassion, justice, and love.

Citizens, see something, say something. Don’t let them get away with it. We are bigger than this! We are better than this!

Leaders, redirect some of the law enforcement monies into technology accessibility and social intervention, not through ads and printed invitation but bodies on the ground to recruit youth into the social catch net programmes. Social science practitioners, double your efforts on mental health and well-being awareness and values forming and reframing.

Rest on, Danielle. God is still seated on his throne.

Nicole Palmer-Hunter

nicolepalmerhunter2022@gmail.com