When Did my Beautiful Jamaica become this Hell?
I recently travelled to the United Kingdom for two-and-a-half weeks.
While there, I was asked by quite a few people where I was from after they heard me speak. After answering that question, I was asked: “How do you live there with so much crime?” or “Are you not afraid?” Others say: “I have heard so much about Jamaica, but I would never go there!” One said: “I would love to see where Bob Marley came from, but I am afraid.”
All the comments were of this nature, negative. Of course, I would respond in the usual fashion: “It’s not as bad as it sounds” or “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
Then, I arrive home and I am greeted with the headline ‘Slaughter’.
I do believe it is time to stop trying to fool my myself and other people that it’s not so bad. That Jamaica is a wonderful place with nice people. We are not. We are a society full of sick, depraved, violent people who are lazy and not prepared to work and support themselves and who have no regard for other people’s life. All they want is the next spliff, a money to buy “a food” and a money to buy the next “outfit” to attend a funeral or a dancehall event.
When did my beautiful Jamaica become this hell? When did we stop being outraged at the way people expose themselves in public, the language, the lack of respect for authority, the elderly and the disabled, when teachers are not allowed to discipline our children at schools and the road code applies only to a few?
When are we going to fix this? When are those in authority going to make an effort to get the guns off our streets? Are we going to remain content with just condemning every shooting, with consoling the bereaved families?
We have very short memories, I say this because all it takes is for our athletes to go abroad and do well — as they always do — then we start rejoicing, banging our pot covers, patting ourselves on the back claiming to be this wonderful country and pretending that all is well. All is not well!
Disillusioned
L Smith
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The answer to your question is when we stopped praying, when we shut our hearts and expelled God from our society. When started accepting leud lifestyles because its ok in other places. When we started playing follow the leader. Solution: Pray because your life, the life of our children and our country depends on it.
Marilee,the fact is there are places that exercise tolerance and people live in relative peace. We have more churches than any place on earth.
While in England maybe you should have picked up a newspaper. In the UK people get murdered practically everyday, people get mugged and robbed here too, young people go missing and are found a few days later in some damp undergrowth and are then found to have been raped and battered to death. In the UK there is also a lack of respect for authority and the elderly . In the UK people are having to go to “food banks” because they cannot afford t o buy food. Jamaica is no worse than anywhere else!!!
We will never get better till we admit , that we are sinking, we rationalize with “others do it , all other places has crime” sure but that’s their country not mine. we need to stop saying “make every body do their thing” its destroying us to say the least.
When the lack of respect by the authority for people that allowed the sub culture of the jungle mentality to be the prevailing culture.
This started when teachers and neighbours were no longer allowed to scold children.
Not so long ago there was a Riot in England, why didn’t you respond in kind. Certain parts of London is very dangerous to live, or walk, stabbing, shootings, gang violence, and rapes, why didn’t the writer asked them about that. We have to accept who we are, and look at the broader picture, yes there are crimes in Jamaica, when was the last time you heard any bombs exploding. London is a Police State, every move you make; you are being monitored, if it’s so safe there, tell them to take down those millions of Cameras. There are no safe place on this planet, crime is everywhere, we don’t manufacture guns, but they were introduced to us.
What I would say to the writer; don’t be fooled by those Sky Scrapers, or by the skin color of the people you see there, they have much more problems than us.
well said my brother big up
So what is the purpose of reporting thid issue if a solution is not desired. What is the point just to run your proverbial mouth. I a decendant of a people who stood up for and enforced change. Talk is cheap. Lers worl together to fix the problem. At the end of it all politicians are not affected. Its you and i and our families.
Apparently that is who YOU ARE. You cannot heap everyone as being the SAME. Not even the Lord who is God do this. He separate the Light from the Darkness, the Sheep from the Goats. Persons who have negative perception of Jamaica by hearing and not going to see for themselves hates TRUTH. Anyone can speak the name of God but not everyone can speak the TRUTH of God until they are drawn unto His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. Someone coming and telling you about God is not your personal experience. You must have your OWN EXPERIENCE with things never follow a crowd to wrest Judgment. Never condemn everyone. There are more on the broad road than those who are on the Narrow and Strait road that gives LIFE. Hugs
Prayer is a powerful tool but when it is coming from the heart , u cannot slave for two masters you will love one and hate the other, man cannot guide his footsteps how is he going to lead a nation if the head of the stream is dirty what do you expect of the bottom,this corrupt system will not change until the king returns.read your bible
The problem is always at the top.
So well expressed. Sadly the situation is being accepted as normal–it is not
One of the problems is that the government is more concerned with controlling the population than ensuring rights and justice; so it is inconvenient to empower law abiding citizens to defend themselves and seek justice. So criminals have the upper hand whenever the police are not around.
It’s not that bad. Jamaica has lots of positive things and kind and responsable people!
I left since 82. Each year I get more nostalgic now but each year I hear how we are treated when we go home. I’ve been so long away and am not that brave anymore. I lift my hat to those, including my daughter, who go back each year or so but that’s all I intend to do. It’s just sickening…
This could have been written by Marcus!
The person who wrote this is a damn Liar!!
The headline of the blog was “When did my beautiful Jamaica become this hell”. The “guest writer” claims that during a 2 week trip to the UK “quite a few people” upon realising the writer was from Jamaica expressed totally negative views of Jamaica.
I must take issue with that blog.
I have lived in the UK for almost 26 years and yes I am often asked where I am from, but not ONCE has anyone ever gone on to express sufficiently negative views to result in them saying they are “afraid” to visit. In fact it is fair to say 100% have ended each conversation with “Jamaica is on my Must do list”. And that is just those who have not already visited. The truth is it is now more normal to find that UK people have visited and absolutely love Jamaica.
Just so that you understand the level of bile this “guest writer” shows towards Jamaica let me quote directly and then you judge for yourself whether he or she is describing the Jamaica you know and love……
“We are a society full of sick, depraved, violent people, who are lazy and not prepared to work and support themselves and have no regard for other people’s life. All they want is the next spliff, a money to buy “a food” and a money to buy the next outfit to attend a funeral or dancehall”
Who is this person speaking about? Where are they from? What is the context to these comments?
Let me be clear. Jamaica may not be the paradise of old, but I strongly refute these types of comments particularly from a hidden source. While some of you nod in grim agreement to this drivel, I am forced to wonder what is this writers true agenda.
Last summer I took to Jamaica a young lady from St. Lucia. It was her first every trip to Jamaica and she openly expressed doubts about what she would she. Make no mistake those doubts were not based on what she heard about Jamaica, but get this….they were based on how she saw UK black people who claimed Jamaican heritage acting in the UK.
Imagine her surprise when she turned up in Jamaica only to find a total absence of dreadlocks smoking weed idly on every street corner. Or almost no women dressed for bashment with ghetto girl earrings and pink hair walking down every street. Her visible surprise at the welcome EVERY Jamaica gave her the moment they found out she was from a sister island.
I remember on incident when we stopped for a meal in Ziggys on Twin Gates plaza. When the lady serving the food found out she was not used to Jamaican food, she GAVE her a sample of every dish to try…FOR FREE.
That is the Jamaica I know. That is the Jamaican I know. My family lives in Jamaica as will I sooner rather than later and I am disgusted that ANYONE would attempt to paint such a dire picture of my island and we simply…click ‘like’.
I hereby challenge the host of this Blog to end this campaign against our island. Social media can and already does play a huge part in promoting Jamaica and this series of assault on our island by unnamed sources does not serve Jamaica
I am really surprised by the reaction you received in the UK. Whereabouts were you, a village under a rock?? I am a Londoner, and visit Jamaica as often as time and money allows. I grew up with many first generation Jamaicans, Jamaican restaurants are common place and we have the biggest Caribbean Carnival the world. In London we are street wise, we have to be. I have never received that reaction from anyone here, when I talk about my Jamaican holidays – most people are well jel : – D Walk Good x
i live in the uk and have been to Jamaica twice on holiday, and im coming again in May i never stop at the tourist places i stop in Kingston, yes its not the safest place in the world and i would never walk around some areas on my own at night but that is the same in any country in the world, there are places i wouldn’t walk around here in the uk, but most of the crime i read about in Jamaica is gang or drug related, I never hear or a tourist been killed , kidnapped or raped, Jamaica is a very poor country and it needs tourism , The government have made some very bad mistake Jamaica should be the Jewel of the Caribbean ,
No… I beg to differ. We have more churches per sq mile than ninety percent of the other countries. We pray and Jamaicans worship more than any other people..but it is all for SHOW. Our people march and protest for respectability but they harbor and aid criminals who can give them a “food”; shield and protect friends and family that are molesting and abusing young girls; ignore the failings of our govenment along party lines and continue to ignore the signs of moral bankruptcy.
I say less prayer and more ACTION.
All Jamaicans shpuld commit to holding goverment accountable for providing to the nation Jobs; housing and programs that enrich the lives of our people.
Citizens should start loving one another, teaching by example and encouraging and expecting the best from all Jamaicans.
our futures are intertwined. Hard work and determination still triumphs and we need to celebrate these traits.
Parents need to turn off the television, disconnect children from twitter and facebook., teach young adults how they can secure a future, emphasize hard work, family strenght and unity, talk about sex and the consequences of unprotected sex, report and demand prosecution of pedophiles .
Snitch and stop protecting killers! Silence is never the answer.
I’m not sure that things will ever change but it is worth the try
No… I beg to differ. We have more churches per sq mile than ninety percent of the other countries. We pray and Jamaicans worship more than any other people..but it is all for SHOW. Our people march and protest for respectability but they harbor and aid criminals who can give them a “food”; shield and protect friends and family that are molesting and abusing young girls; ignore the failings of our govenment along party lines and continue to ignore the signs of moral bankruptcy.
I say less prayer and more ACTION.
All Jamaicans shpuld commit to holding goverment accountable for providing to the nation Jobs; housing and programs that enrich the lives of our people.
Citizens should start loving one another, teaching by example and encouraging and expecting the best from all Jamaicans.
our futures are intertwined. Hard work and determination still triumphs and we need to celebrate these traits.
Parents need to turn off the television, disconnect children from twitter and facebook., teach young adults how they can secure a future, emphasize hard work, family strenght and unity, talk about sex and the consequences of unprotected sex, report and demand prosecution of pedophiles .
Snitch and stop protecting killers! Silence is never the answer.
I’m not sure that things will ever change but it is worth the try
I reject the notion that “Crime is everywhere” . Teens kill a 79 year old woman who has retired and is giving back and we shouldn’t be OUTRAGED?
Grown men are having incestuous relationships with underage daughters and we whisper about it?
Birth control is available and 16 year olds have 3 small children with 40 year old men who refuse to provide child support.
When do we admit there is a problem?
WE ARE THE SIXTH MURDEROUS COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE!!!!
Are we to wait until we are number ONE.
White sandy beaches are fine but Houston WE HAVE MANY MANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS!!!
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I read some of the comments and I am baffled. When will black people stop putting down black people in Canada the other day one man killed how many people? In the Asian and some parts of Europe there is how much killing. But we getting down on our own Jamaican black brothers, remember children live what they learned, we were thought to hate each other let us change the cycle train up a child in the way he or she most go and when they get old they will not depart from it
I am a jamaican, i lived in America for over 30 years, and its the same there , now i live in a spanish speaking country and its the same here too. This problem is not pertinent only to jamaica ! Its the same all over the world WHY ? ask yourselves that question WHY ? every problem has a cause ,and every cause has a question , and every question has an answer,so who or what is responsible for this problem all over the world, and why who stands to gain from the demize of people/country if its not crime and violence its something else ,whats going on here ? and whats even more frightening is that it is going to get worse WHY ? weather you believe it or not every thing goes back to the Laws of the creator (god ) and the Bible am not a Preacher, Christian, budist,muslim,catholic,rasta NOTHING ! my religion is righteousness ,but i love reading the bible i have been doing so since i was 5 years old in jamaica, and weather you believe in a god or not its not important the fact is there are laws of the heart for us to follow everthing in life has laws : the law of the body ( when you are sleepy you have to sleep you can force your body to stay awake ,but you pay a price ); if you do not TURN THE KEY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GET INTO YOUR HOUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, THE SAME WITH YOUR CAR those are physical laws, what about unseen laws that governs the soul or spirit ? if there was none then we would not have a conscience when we do something we know we should not have done (lie,steal,anger etc. ) before i site the Bible as my source for my argument bear in mind that those who wanted controll has twisted,and interject things in it to brain wash the masses .You may ask yourself ” what does this have to do with crime in jamaica and the world ? EVERYTHING ! what i am about to say will sound far fetched for some people, but i have done my home work, and i find that the problem in the world stems from , one thing, and extend into other areas of lif,e the problem is we do not know or have the creator (God ) if we did we would not have this problem :
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Isaiah 65:24
New International Version
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
I heard it said that Jamaica has the most churches in the world , so how come we have so much crime ? who is leading the people ? The ministers , the Politicians, a Faceless phantom that we see,and do not recognize ? because it sure is not the creator (God ) :
Jeremiah 5:31
New International Version
The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? end quote.
One would think that if we have that much church we should be better off RIGHT ? WRONG ! because those Ministers,Priest, etc.do not represent the creator ( God ) they are working in conjunction with the pope for the demize of Jamaica and the world none of these people that you see represent the creator (God ) or speak on his behalf their intention is to brain wash you for controll : New Living Translation
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
King James Bible
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
I will leave you with a bit of history that most of you are not aware of, and i will tie it in to the BIBLE so you will see the master mind behind the demize of the world .Most people think that BC Meand Before Christ, but read on : Up to 48 BC all the Rabis of Rome was Jewish(Black ) but On December 25th , 48 BC a particular Priest name CAIUS MARIUS officially became the first Human ( caucasian ) of an EMPIRE that controlls both HEADS OF STATE , AND HEADS OF RELIGION this occured in ALEXANDRA EGYPT AT THE TEMPLE OF JUPITER WHICH WAS CALLED THE SERAPIOPN. CAIUIUS MARIUS then changed his name to JULIAS ,THEN HE TOOK THE “C ” from HIS NAME CAIUS,AND PLACED IT IN FRONT OF THE ATRASCAN WORD FOR GOD which was AESAR,and became Julias Cesar (GOD) HE WAS THE FIRST HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (BC=Before Caius ) during his time the priestly colledge which was a sect of priest that DECLARED MORTAL MEN GOD SAINT ETC.did an Apotheosis on him,AND DECLARED HIM A GOD !
2 Thessalonians 2:4 New International Version
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
The first mortal to start this tradition in the name of power and controll was CAIUS MARIUS IN 48 BC now the same tradition continue but they call him POPE or PAPA but the Pope is realy CESAR he is the ruler of the Empire (Roman Empire ) that controlls the world,and he has his militia generals (Priest ) IN every single country in the worls to keep order including Jamaica The Roman Catholic Church is not a spiritual church as leading you to god as as you would think,but it is an Empire that owns millions of coperation all over the world here is the next question you should ask if the ROMANS CRUCIFIED CHRIST Why do they have a religion worshipping him ? further evidence of their hate for any one that presents a threat to this Empire is THE EXAMPLE that the made of Christ he was one of their many examples have you noticed the letters INRI above the head of christ on the cross ? that is a Notarikan do you i will only revealed the meaning to those who read this post,and want to know more. you can say this is nonsence but you will see what will happen to jamaica as the country sink further into decay..i will leave it here too much info.do your home work dont take my word blessed love
That is the problem ppl always reverting to pray well that has not helped Jamaica yet sorry this is not a bash at religion but its deeper than simply praying to the almighty like deb says ned new solutions