I have recently come to the firm conclusion that we are a nation that thrives on contention, cass-cass and coarseness. Despite our tremendous natural and human resources, we seem incapable of pooling our strengths to advance the welfare of the country. Every day, we are fed a daily diet of cass-cass, with our politicians being some of the main contributors, and our young people listen to music that would make most of us cringe eg dutty wine and daggering.

When well-intentioned citizens appeal to the media to raise the bar by playing more tasteful music, publishing intellectually stimulating articles and presenting tasteful photos, we are ignored or given flippant responses.

Many of us are familiar with the expression, garbage-in-garbage-out, which can also be applied to our collective psyche. If all we see and hear every day is violence and aggression, why are we surprised that we have such a high incidence of rape and other violent crimes, which are com-mitted by the youngest and most impressionable among us?

Until we learn to treat each other with gentleness, greater respect, and develop a culture of productivity and excellence, we will continue to descend into depravity and mayhem. Unfortunately, this situation is already regarded by many as normal but it has to change.

I am, etc.,

KAREN HENRY

Portmore