THE EDITOR, Sir:
I NOTICED that the ugly head of race as in skin colour surfaced during the campaigns of the past elections, but thank God it soon disappeared, as most people ignored it.
Wherever people of different races live, or work together, there is always some form of racial prejudice and discrimination, and Jamaica is no exception. Thank God, we don't experience the level of discrimination that is found in Trinidad and Tobago and in Guyana. Race is not an issue in Jamaica. The races have somewhat been absorbed in the melting pot of time.
There is still a subtle form of racial prejudice here anyway, but I hope to God it stays dormant, as it could become very nasty. The race issue was unfortunate, as it is in no way one of our problems.
The obvious problem that we are facing now, is that of social prejudice, and that is the issue that most people avoid discussing. Money talks, opens doors, and breaks down barriers, but the haves and the have-nots inhabit two distinct societies, and that is very noticeable here in Jamaica.
Our country has a strange but strong socially segregated class structure, which has sinister overtones. This is more openly discussed by the poor, than the racial divide. People of the so-called upper strata in life are very snobbish. They associate with a certain clique, and look down on people less fortunate than they are. In some cases, they openly show disgust, if one of their offspring were to associate with, or bring home one of their less affluent friends.
We need to create a system of national unity and shake off those inhibitions, because our motto, "Out of many, one people," as it stands is a farce, to those standards. Class consciousness is stronger here in Jamaica than abroad, and believe it or not it is tearing our country apart. Look at our justice system, one for the rich and another for the poor. I have become very critical of the Church, as some show more interest and recognition for the rich and opulent than they do for the poor and meek, the ones God cherish most.
We need to move beyond the media of sports and music for social interaction. We need prayers. We also need, not only to walk the walk, and talk the talk, but to live the life that God set out for us. Thank God love has no barriers or boundaries; love is no respecter of creed, colour, race, or religion. God created us all equal. We are all one people.
Jamaicans, we should not be divided by political, racial, religious or social values. We need to move forward, accept and live by the teachings of Marcus Garvey and build this beautiful country, with good values, attitudes and ethics, and then out of many, we will be one people, very proud of our roots and heritage.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR RADWAY
Knapdale
Brown's Town
St. Ann
