Where is Jasmine Deen?
THE EDITOR, Madam:
ANANDA DEAN, Yetanya Francis, Khajeel Mais, Nadine Williamson, Jasmine Deen – these names are some in the long list of the lost and forgotten youngsters, but it shows the extent as to where our society is currently. My question is, When will it really ever stop? Will it when reality hits close to home?
Jasmine Deen, particularly, like my mother used to say, “Bamboo stick – easy to start a fire but quick to out the flame”. Deen was reported missing on February 20, and within a matter of weeks, she has become yesterday’s news.
She is yet to be reported dead or alive, but we just head back to our “normal lives” with no true sense of remorse. Every time I remember her name, I can’t help but think that this could have been my sister, or cousin, or even a close friend. This reality, however, just doesn’t hit everyone, I suppose.
This is an issue that has plagued Jamaica for years – young girls being kidnapped, raped, molested, and targeted time after time. If we don’t systematically address this issue at its root, then we will continue to see more and more cases like these.
If it was a child of a highranking official, or a personality, would the country just be content with moving on with business as usual?
I urge Jamaicans, and especially our leaders, not to put these issues on the back burner. If we continue to ignore the lives of the common folks, then we risk robbing ourselves of a future. As a result, continue to build on an ever-expansive ‘Dean’s’ list, which, trust me, is not one worth praising or making, I may add.
QUINCY LESTER
‘I urge Jamaicans, and especially our leaders, not to put these issues on the back burner.’