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| Letter of the Day
July 20, 1999
Self image and a neurotic hunger for superiority THE EDITOR, Madam: AS PART of the generation that sported dashikis and foot-high afros, I was distressed to read Dawn Ritch's June 28, 1999 commentary entitled "Colour-coding Jamaica", which reported on the use of bleaching pills to gain social acceptance. However, despite what I assume to be the best of intentions, Ainsley Deer's "Skin bleaching and racism" diatribe (July 9, 1999) took the all-too-familiar path of placing the blame for this practice on "white supremacy", predictably ending with exhortations to develop "a better self-image". One does not develop a better self-image by attempting to prove that the dominance of Western culture over the past several centuries resulted from a "neurotic drive for superiority" rooted in melanin deprivation. Even if we accept this absurd premise, the fact remains that it was the superiority of Western culture in terms of science and technology that allowed neurotic whites to realise their goal of supremacy. And it is that continuing, demonstrated cultural superiority (rather than some abstract "mental slavery") that prompts pretty young black women to bleach their skin and DJs to sing against blackness. It serves no purpose, indeed it is downright counterproductive, blithely to sing the praises of a palm tree mentality that has supposedly developed because we melanin-rich blacks have no "neurotic hunger for superiority". There is a very thin line between lacking a "neurotic hunger for superiority" and being too laid back and even lazy, just as there is between having a "neurotic hunger for superiority" and displaying drive, being persistent and working hard to attain goals. And it is irrefutable that those in Jamaica and elsewhere who achieve their goals are those who display the latter characteristics. What is more, they take advantage of the opportunities offered by Western scientific and technological achievements. Rant and rave as we might against unpalatable and heartbreaking truths, there is no line outside the embassy of any African or Latin American country in Jamaica or anywhere else. And how many of us would really grab at a chance to go back to Africa? This is not the result of mental slavery; it is simply a realisation that at this historical juncture ,cultural (scientific, technological, civilizational) superiority lies with the West. Instead of bleaching their skin to LOOK white, the women described in Dawn Ritch's column would be better served to "ACT white" in the sense of exhibiting some of that "neurotic hunger" which will allow them to set and achieve uplifting goals. This is the only way to develop "a better self-image". Exhortations to "psychological liberation" will be futile unless and until, as a nation and as a race, we stop the blame game and create a culture based on hard work, a thirst for knowledge, and productive habits. As Martin Luther King put it: "We must not let the fact that we are the victims of injustice lull us into abrogating responsibility for our own lives. We must not use our oppression as an excuse for mediocrity and laziness. Our crime rate is far too high. Our level of cleanliness is frequently far too low. We are too often loud and boisterous and spend far too much on drink. By improving our standards here and now, we will go a long way toward breaking down the arguments of the segregationist. The Negro will only be free when he reaches down to the inner depths of his own being and signs with the pen and ink of assertive manhood his own emancipation proclamation. I am, etc.
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| Give us Ja back
THE EDITOR, Madam: I AM writing on behalf of the international student body at the Florida Atlantic Institute, which is desperately seeking answers to the recent unprecedented high level of criminal behaviour now occurring in our country. We are longing to visit our home but are very fearful for our lives and that of our families. I know we cannot get all the answers, but we would like this letter to serve as an open plea to all the insensitive gunmen to stop this madness now! We want our country back! I am, etc.
We are tired of being bombarded with questions from curious colleagues at work and school about the violence and that sometimes proves very embarrassing. Ja's downfall the fault of Gov't THE EDITOR, Madam: I AM truly concerned about the high crime rate in Jamaica, especially over the last several weeks. I can't help but believe that the Government is to be blamed for the downfall of the country. Jamaica is very beautiful and it just makes my heart bleed to see that more and more every day our beautiful island that we love to call home is being populated with all kinds of gangsters and fugitives. I blame the Government for most of Jamaica's downfall because, as always, the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. I really don't think that the Members of Parliament care about the people. There are no jobs and hardly any help for the poor. It's time that Jamaicans take a stand and defend their country. Stop killing one another, you're just putting down yourself and your country. When will we learn to love and appreciate the beautiful island that God gave us? We'll say everyday that we love Jamaica, but don't you think it's time to start showing it? To the politicians I say, "Stop being selfish and start thinking about 'the people and the country'. Look around and see what's going on, don't wait for 20 and 50 people to get killed before you do something about it. There are a lot of Jamaicans who would love to come home, but are scared because of the increase in the crimes that are occurring in the country. We shouldn't have to be a fugitive in our own homes. Jamaica is a beautiful country and we're all beautiful people. Let's just all start acting like it. I am, etc.,
Ineffective schools, ineffective partnerships THE EDITOR, Madam: I RECENTLY assisted my wife with a research paper on reading and learning disabilities in public schools. Therefore, I am compelled to respond to Peter Espeut's commentary last week because I disagree with him. He comes across like the typical Jamaican, finding someone or a group to blame. Mr. Espeut should be reminded that no one wins this "blame game". It is the children that suffer. The making of an effective school system requires a partnership with government, teachers, parents, the community and students, in addition to involvement from the business community. Asking teachers to work longer hours per day is not the solution. A majority of the children cannot stand being in a classroom for long periods as their attention span is very short. Furthermore, values and attitudes are not what they used to be with respect to an education. Now it is not about studying and getting an education, it is how can I get rich quick. Mr. Espeut, you would be better off trying to blame the politicians who have created this monster that they can no longer control. Over the years, there has been too much inconsistency of reform agenda. What was wrong with CEE? I am, etc., L. WILLIAMS
Local violence breaks international hearts THE EDITOR, Madam: AS I read about all the violence going on in my beautiful country, it really breaks my heart. Being a Jamaican in New York has its ups and downs but there are more ups than downs. People are always so impressed with my national pride and my beautiful accent. People are always asking me to speak. What is wrong with us as a people? Why do we insist on making politicians, some of whom don't even care about us, make us destroy our most beautiful resource (ourselves)? I reach out to the country and to the leaders to take care of our home. Remember that every time there is violence in Jamaica it reduces our revenue from tourism and makes our situation worse. We the Jamaicans in New York are selling the country and its products the best way we know how. But we cannot do it if every time the prospective tourist here looks in the newspaper or sees it on the news that we are killing each other. Let us all do our part to restore our country and to help each other. Good-bye for now and do as I do: buy Jamaican goods and services because as they say every mickle mek a muckle. Hello to all my Holy Childhood sisters. I am, etc.
Anthem forgotten, a people lost THE EDITOR, Madam: IT SEEMS as though we have forgotten what our anthem means and what it truly stands for. Had we not put this song out of our minds and thoughts, Jamaica would probably not be in the state that it is in today. Jamaica has become a morally, spiritually and economically bankrupt society of the "Haves" and the "Have Nots". I am not implying that there are no hard-working Jamaicans left in the society. Indeed that would be foolish to say. However, the reality is that the morals, behaviour and attitude have not been the same for the last 20 to 30 years. To make the excuse that Jamaica is a young country is a weak, lame excuse. We have seen the mistakes and triumphs of other countries and must have learnt something. If not, then our leadership is probably one of the most misguided of these last decades. The fact is we did not have to look very far to find the courage, wisdom and guidance that the country needs. Our anthem says it all. If only we had looked to God during our periods of crisis. Instead, we had inconsiderate, non-vision-minded politicians and greedy upper class businessmen and women. We would have been well on our way to being a model Third World country. Instead, we have resorted to raping each other economically, physically and morally. Look at the brain-drain that has plagued the country over the last 10 years. Hard-working Jamaicans who long to come home are fearful to set foot on the island because of the jealousy, crime and resentment awaiting them. The hypocrisy of the leaders, envy and malice have kept many patriotic Jamaicans from returning home. Many understand the cost of living situation since Jamaica's legitimate economy is suffering from world market pressure. However, the attitudes of our people have been a big deterrence to coming home. The line to obtain a US visa has not declined. It has only got longer. When will our politicians learn that they are partly responsible for the unsettling behaviour and attitude of the land? When a DON can temper the unruly behaviour of a people and the police are powerless or abuse their power over innocent people, there is only anarchy and chaos left to follow. Despite the grim situation, Jamaica still has hope. If the people, from the top to the bottom, decide to turn from their evil ways and seek God in their hearts, then Jamaica has hope to be the best place to live in this world. I am, etc.,
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