Dear Pastor,

I have read your articles on various occasions, when I am at work or home. Even when lacking scientific evidence, your articles remain relevant. This is the work of a wise man. I have a crucial concern, one that plagues mankind since he came into existence. Do I have a choice?

I am 28 years of age and have reside in Brooklyn, New York for nearly 16 years. As a born Jamaican, I attempt to embrace the culture to the best of my ability. The music and art that Jamaica once produced, elicited a peace of mind and unconditional love for family and friends. But as I age, I realise that most of my struggles revolve around a culture that nourished my development and produced youths who are westernised more than Christopher Columbus.

Interestingly, the same culture that once nourished me, traded its passion for glory. Sometimes, I feel that my culture betrayed me because I adhere to a doctrine that socially conditioned my mind to a tradition. In other words, I became a slave by tradition. Obviously, change is ineffable but do I have to change to meet the needs of a 'new Jamaican culture?' Can I remain one with a culture that no longer exists? What should I do because I am here in America, a culturally diverse melting pot; and every other culture and ethnic group embraces their own origin other than Jamaicans?

The few Jamaicans who I know are scared to initiate conversations with other Jamaicans because of their traumatic experiences. Some of my peers, including myself would love to go to Jamaica to teach but which teacher wears a bullet proof vest to teach a primary school or bring mace to class.

The number of Jamaicans killing Jamaicans in America is beyond logical reasoning. Only Wappi who killed Philup can provide an explanation. Even when I traveled to England and other States within America, I observed similar life-style. Do you think my observation is a coincidence or a conspiracy?

"Fi all di yardie weah no resent chicken-back and white rice and carbolic soap because dem get visa fi travel cum a foreign...Mek mi si di gun finger and a Red Stripe.

M. M., New York, USA

Dear M. M.,

You are an angry man. But, evidently, you are angry with every Jamaican but yourself. It is ashamed that you have abandoned your culture. You are blaming others for your own failure. Much of what you have said is all in your mind. There are proud Jamaicans living in New York, Miami, and Atlanta, etc., who have strong Jamaican organisations and seek to promote their culture. And surely, they are not out of touch with what is going on in Jamaica.

You seem to think that everything that is happening in Jamaica is bad. No sir, you are wrong. Anyone living aboard who is Jamaican but is ashamed to be identified with his or her own people is brain washed into believing that people from other nations are better. A person is not responsible for where he was born but for what he/she has made of him/herself and what type of contribution he/she makes to society.

You have a right to your opinion but never put your head in the sand and be ashamed of your roots. "No way nuh better than yaad."

Pastor