Custos Decries Use of Derogatory Terms Among Young Men

Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Westmoreland, the Very Reverend Canon Hartley Perrin, is calling for a revolution in the way young men refer to each other, and view themselves in the context of national development.

Speaking at the Little London High School recently, Custos Perrin said the constant reference by young men to each other as “dogs”, and other derogatory terms that are used in reference to persons of African descent, must be stopped, as it paints a very negative image.

Pointing to a recent incident in which he was asked to intervene by a group of young men, who used these terms to refer to each other, Custos Perrin said he was astounded.

“I am very concerned about this practice … as you would never hear those (types of) references coming from another group of people. We need to place a value on ourselves and the image that we bear,” the Custos said.

Custos Perrin is of the view that through the Governor-General’s “I Believe Initiative”, people will once again believe in themselves and the role they play in building a positive, productive society.

The Custos was addressing students during a tour by Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, as part of his ‘I Believe Initiative’.

The Governor-General in 2009 launched the ‘I Believe Initiative’, unveiling a number of projects focused on education, the youth and the family, which are intended to have a significant impact in transforming Jamaica.

The initiative, which was inspired by Sir Patrick’s inaugural speech in 2009, aims to encourage all Jamaicans to develop a sense of self-assurance and national pride.