Letter of the Day | Let us show ‘true respect for all’
Published:Thursday | August 21, 2025 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Freedom of expression cannot mean the right to be disrespectful or libellous. The pending general election has brought out the worst in some Jamaicans at home and abroad. The vitriol and blatant disrespect of not only politicians, but media houses and media personnel who are not singing the praises of the party that the political activists support, should not be accepted as normal. Such behaviour should be roundly condemned and repudiated.
Calling people thieves, reposting opinions as facts, and vilifying those who are just reporting the news should not be condoned. I wonder about some of the comments that political activists post in response to the articles posted by media houses on social media platforms. Reading some of these comments makes me wonder how any self-respecting human being could be so vulgar. These people fear not God nor regard man. The blind loyalty of the supporters of both major political parties is frightening. It’s not all bad, though. Some of the comments are really funny and witty. That’s all right. Have all the fun, but be respectful.
As has often been said, “We are entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts.” In this election season, I am calling on my fellow Jamaicans to show “true respect for all” as we sing in our national anthem. We can’t be asking our Eternal Father to “teach us true respect for all” for 63 years, while we continue to be disrespectful to each other. It is about time we learn.
Let’s stick to the issues. Defend and support the party of our choice. Enjoy the season and be respectful. At the end of the day, those of us who choose Jamaica have nowhere else to go. The time has come for us to build a better Jamaica with “true respect for all”.
WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN