My thoughts on…the death of Dee-Andrea Morris
December 17th 2007 -
Hello everyone. Back from my vacation. And not white sand beach, Bermuda shorts, Pina Colada vacation. Just a long break. My exams ended last week Tuesday, and since then I just took a break from everything except breathing, eating and sleeping. Now I’m feeling refreshed. But I return on not such a happy note. A former classmate of mine, Dee-Andrea Morris, a.k.a. “Punkie” , died over the weekend. She was killed at her front gate in Papine while talking to some friends. I post this in tribute of her, so that she may never be forgotten. I heard the news Saturday night, but I ignored it. The words “Papine,” “UTech” and “student” caught my attention, but I tuned the rest of the story out. It couldn’t possibly be someone I know right? Only when talking to another former classmate of mine did I find out the horrible truth.
I found it hard to sleep that night. Images of her face flashed across my mind, and I would imagine the horrible incident that led to her death. I would imagine arriving in the nick of time to save her, and taking out the guy responsible. All psychological balm to soothe the pain I was feeling. Now don’t get me wrong. She wasn’t a close friend. We didn’t hang out in the same social circle. Heck, I barely knew her last name, so up to now I haven’t even shed a tear. In fact, I’m surprised as to how well I’m taking it. But her passing has caused me to reconsider my own life. She was 21, exactly my age. What if it was me? What would people say of Leon Robinson? What kind of legacy would I leave behind? I think about it and the answer does not please me. The so-called “crises” in my life seem trivial now.
After writing about how the crime monster has claimed our nation’s finest, it now hits close to home. Truly, no one is immune. I remember the last time I spoke to her. It was during exams. The usual “hi, bye” acquaintances would share. Little did I know that would be the last time I saw her. Moral: Don’t take anyone for granted. I’m a bundle of emotions right now. I’m angry because this criminal will probably get away with it because of Jamaica’s shoddy and corrupt law enforcement and that someone who was trying to walk the straight and narrow path was taken out by some trigger happy punk. I’m sad (for obvious reasons) and because her death was so meaningless. Yet, I’m strangely happy for having the privilege of knowing her. R.I.P. Punkie. We’ll miss you.
taylor2nd Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 9:11 am
live each day like it was the last.. never know when your gonna go. Everyday i work hard at my web breakthrough… cause i dont know when i’ll be unable to continue what i’m doing.
Jamaipanese Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 10:23 am
my condolences Leon
I have also been realizing that the crime menace is at our doors and affecting everyone. Just last month I lost 3 friends….two of them in the same shooting.
I’m all for change and progress and I hope everyone is willing to play their part reversing Jamaica spiraling negative trend
Cranky Putz Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 11:40 am
That’s sad Leon.
For the record we would remember you…..
GC Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss.
kami Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
That is so sad. Am still upset about the murder of Taiwo Mckenzie and Janelle Whyte. Too much senselessness
Esteban Agosto Reid Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Dee Andrea Morris.Indeed, a tragic loss. So young! This tsunami of violence that/which has engulfed the island has everyone wondering who is next.How many more people will have to pay with their lives before this pathology and madness is abated?
Mad Bull Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Bwoy, it really brings it home how, but for the grace of God, this could be you, when someone you know who is in your own age group dies like that. Sorry to hear. I hope the killer(s) are caught. Hope they come up with a workable solution to the crime problem.
Ricardo Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Leon please accept my deepest condolences. Even if you were not close her death has had a profound effect on you. the lessons you’ve learned and shared with us are valuable. Never take anyone for granted. Life is so important and can be taken away in the blink of en eye. It’s not fair.
I hope they do find the murderer. It won’t make things better but it will help bring at least some closure.
Such a senseless act. I’m very sorry.
Ricardo Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
BTW I have no idea where the hyperlink to the madbull blog came from in my last comment. I have no association with it.
Ricardo Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Mad Bull you have a great blog!
Melody Says:
December 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
How sad… May she rest in peace — obviously she was loved — there’s love in this tribute U’ve written.
marangand Says:
December 21st, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Sorry to hear about your friend……The whole crime thing is scary and it is slowly coming closer and closer home…..
Hope our new comish can begin to make a difference
Jamaican Dawta Says:
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 pm
So sorry to hear about what happened to your friend.
The powers that be need to reinstate the use of those gallows I hear they’ve been keeping well oiled.
Free Says:
December 25th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Dee-Andrea and I were in the same Lecture group at UTECH, we exchange words once-I think. However, news of her death really had me thinking about my life and legacy as well. No one deserves to die like that and I am learning because of her death to live each day as my last and to appreciate each moment.
My condolences to her circle of friends and family…
lina Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Do you know who the other girl is who got shot? Im just curious
Leon Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
No Lina. I don’t.
Shelz Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
She is on her hi5, page. If you go on Dee’s hi5 page, you will see her on her top 5. She is a tall brown one. She is in pictures with Dee as well. Apparently, she is paralyzed from the waste down. So sad
Leon Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Yeah it is isn’t it. All ’cause of some little trigger-happy punk who couldn’t handle rejection. Or so I hear.
My thoughts on…the year 2007 on My thoughts…on stuff Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 10:07 pm
[...] usual highs. I found myself with a little more money than usual. On a more somber note, I lost a friend this [...]
Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten.... Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
What I want to know is, if they are aware of this boy who took her life. Will he be tried? Will he pay with his life…like go to prison? I am tired of hearing that “police are investigating” but in reality, nothing ever comes of it. So, if they know it was a guy who couldn’t handle rejection (that’s what I hear too), then they should know who he is right? Someone should come forward, so that there will be some kind of “justice” for her death. Why should it be so meaningless? I don’t live in Jamaica, so I don’t know…but all I know if it was my family member, rest assured, I would have gotten some kind of “justice”…. That’s all I have to say…
ZED MCKENZIE Says:
February 8th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
We really are digging our own graves just by wanting to live in Jamaica and make it a better place. Those of us who care seem to be those of us who are taken. like my brother and his girlfriend (TAIWO AND JANELLE) and your friend Punkie.
How terrible it was for my mother who just put her son and his girlfriend in a hole to recognize that it was now time for her student (thus effectively her child) to be laid to rest. I cannot see where we are to go from here and while i know that I am bitter because it came knocking at my door and I cannot see the solution.
Coldolences to her family and friends and if she has any sisblings i would like them to know that even though they feel like they are alone there are many of us who are have silently died when our brother and sisters did. But I have devoted my energy to my re-birth- learning to live without my brother’s physical presence but recognizing that all I do now must be in his honour.
I pray for everyone!
bless
Long Bench Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Horrible not because of her age or anything like that; just that it happened. I would not be surprised about the jilted lover theory. Jamaican men have been ritually killing women who diss them, cheat on them with other men, etc. for a long time now. Woman killing is bloodsport here, and men know, KNOW, they will not be caught. Why? The police who are asked to secure justice don’t take women’s lives seriously, and don’t give a shit about us. They are the laziest, most inept bunch of civil servants. If we want justice, we have to be active and demand it, rather than sit around waiting for an investigation, a trial, something. Sitting and waiting doesn’t bring us much — except more funerals. If I was her parent/family member, I would raise hell - the kind that require you to quit your job and make justice your fulltime pursuit.