Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor
Everyone has had their thoughts and opinions on the recent “alkali throwing” escapade flooding our media, but how many of us truly know the students or stories involved? How many of us know that the “alkali thrower” is a top student and has been throughout her academic tenure thus far? How many of us know that she is an avid athlete? How many know that she is only 14 years old?
Most importantly, how many of us know that many police reports were made before the alkali incident? How many of us are aware that the “alkali victims” have been antagonizing this child for months on end? Scoping the football field and waiting for her after her football practices, accompanied by their ‘loving’ parents? Following her home from school and even at one point brandishing a knife (March 27th on Cork Street) – when she was only waiting for a t-shirt to attend her loved one’s funeral?
Yes, I agree. Wrong is wrong. She should not have thrown the alkali on the other student. But should she instead have waited to be stabbed? The “victims” made no effort to hide their plans to “slash her pretty face” and to let their peers know that they “must catch her and chook her up”. These same “victims” who were proud of the fact that “she couldn’t fight me, she had to throw alkali in my eyes”? Were their intentions to seek an amicable resolution?
Yes, we know “her mother is always in something”. But didn’t we see the body language in the video? Didn’t we hear her say “A* no!”?
Popular Bouyon artist put it perfectly in the 2024 Calendar Riddim: “Mental health was the topic of the day, everybody had their little piece to say, the next day, the SAME PEOPLE WAS BASHING… what we call dem? He-pocrites, she-pocrites.” Are we considering this 14-year-old’s mental health?
Many of us are Facebook attorneys, parenting experts, mental health “advocates” and “voices for the women and youth”. But might I humbly suggest that we do our research and opine with a bit more sense and EMPATHY?
Again, as Tasha said, ‘wrong + wrong is wrong, but every story has three sides: yours,
mine, and the truth. What would you as a parent, older sibling, guardian, or loved one have done if your child retaliated to death threats with a “caustic substance”? Truly, what would YOU have done? Gone to the police? That was done. Avoid them? That was done. Turn the other cheek? She only has two.
To quote our very own Prime Minister at the advent of his leadership: “Give the young person a chance”. Give her a chance to change, a chance to thrive, a chance to be better!
Let’s be fair, nuh!
PS. The adults who know her well and see her growth and improvement stand with her. And the adults who know her well and know that she has been trying and are silent for fear of public recoil- shame on you!
Disclaimer
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of Nature Isle News (NIN). Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@natureisle.news