Dear Editor,

Let me begin by saying I do not condone indecency in any form whatsoever. Having said that, I was startled by the news that well-known up-and-coming attorney and human rights activist Isat Buchanan was suspended for two years over crude comments he made on a social media platform.

I saw the clip briefly on TikTok, I believe, and honestly, it was not memorable. He quoted a line from a Vybz Kartel song, for some strange reason, which was inappropriate. I had to look up the full lyrics of the song to see exactly what it said and in what context the song was written. I don’t have the text of the dialogue with Buchanan, but I can’t recall hearing Buchanan say the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn should heed the words of Vybz Kartel, which would’ve been absurd anyway.

Yes, Buchanan spoke out of context, but he was not on a mainstream platform, I would say it is more of a private platform with a select group of followers. I don’t even remember what they were discussing. I am guessing it had something to do with the rushed extension of the DPP’s term in office as she approached the age of retirement.

Buchanan faced backlash over the comments and immediately apologised to the DPP and those who were offended. He also resigned several positions, including tutor at The University of the West Indies and chairman of the People’s National Party’s Human Rights Commission.

These days we exist in a “cancel culture” in which the slip of a tongue can bring about the end of one’s career. We forget that we are humans, and as such, we are governed by emotions and the moment. Forgiveness is apparently no longer a virtue.

Buchanan was also fined over $520,000, and his suspension for two years means he cannot practice law during this period. Buchanan is an up-and-coming attorney who has been making strides in the field despite his past. I am sure this incident will give him even more impetus to succeed. He is well spoken, professional, and I actually enjoy following his social commentary.

Too often the authorities in Jamaica act like dated school principals in a remote primary school. They use authority to exercise their might and exert power to show who they are and what they can do. We see this in Parliament also. We need to be more mature in the decision-making process and how we use and control power to deal with issues and people. We must examine all factors when making critical decisions, and do so intelligently.

Can the few words Buchanan quoted from a song cause him to fail to maintain the honour and dignity of the legal profession and discredit the profession as a whole? Give me a break!

Was the excessive punishment classist? What about his vast body of work and achievements, especially in the area of human rights, which has brought honour and dignity to the profession?

I wish we would place greater emphasis and focus on the fight against crime and deal with trivial matters in a more civil and fair manner.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com