Knews Online.
Dear Editor,
Since the day my father Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham departed this earth, mine has been a life of extremely low profile notwithstanding I have always followed my beloved country’s challenges with development. I cannot but do so since sacrifice and character are two of the hallmarks that guided our family and yet for it all some still see it fit to besmirch and malign my father’s good name. My father understood the central nature of human capital to the development process and as I watched him throughout most of my life, he intermingled with men and women of all walks of life understanding the good and the weaknesses in all of them and us.
Yes, he believed that in every one of us there is good and if only the determinants were there all the time, in many cases we would not have so many of our young people in prison. I recall him interacting with the prisoners in the Open Prisons on the East Coast and ensuring that when they were ready to leave they had enough to help them have a new start. At no time did he exhibit scorn, nor discrimination for he was also a preacher in the Methodist church and believed what Jesus Christ said “He that is without sin cast the first stone”
As I perused the dailies which took an historical event of a young man’s past and sought to destroy him without even the consideration that this young man Lear Goring has put his life back on track, is now furthering his studies by doing his Masters in Business Administration. I am saddened that we have moved from being caring and forgiving to what seems to be nothing short of merciless and judgemental nation.
My father has assisted the children of comrades, the children of Ministers, the children of Business men and Presidents who have made mistakes and have had brushes with the law. He did this because he believed in the principles of redemption, forgiveness and caring and that we all must be given the opportunity to our dear land no matter how small.
For more than 21 years, Lear Goring has been on the straight and narrow, he has three young boys whom he loves and cares for. What do we gain as a nation from this public destruction? There are many more Lear Gorings who will make mistakes. Do we want to create a dump heap of humans or do we want to have as many useful humans to work in the developmental process?
This is a shining moment for us to define what the future holds for our young people when they make mistakes since the destiny of any nation lies in their hands. Lear Goring’s story should be one to celebrate, should be a teachable moment for those young people who have made mistakes. Are we saying that because of our mistakes our growth is restricted to a certain level in society?
Whether you are Christian, Hindu, Muslim or Agnostic, Good always triumphs over evil. Let us as a nation take the high road of forgiveness, redemption and upliftment, let us follow the recent example of President Granger by the strength he showed to pardon those prisoners. May God continue to guide our dear land.
Roxanne Burnham Van West-Charles
Publisher’s note: We view the advent of this letter with no surprise since it comes from the wife of GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Van West Charles. It was Dr. Van West Charles who employed Lear Goring. We agree with the sentiments expressed by Roxanne Burnham-Charles that we must forgive. But what about context? Goring was convicted for drug trafficking. Then secured a second conviction for the same charge of drug trafficking. He didn’t give himself the very break Mrs. Van West Charles wants the nation to give him. Finally, the nation has qualified graduates who cannot secure employment. Mr. Goring was employed at GWI without the requisite qualifications.
