THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT WAS with some regret that I read the letter of the Eastern Caribbean student published in The Gleaner on July 26 under the caption 'Others rise as Jamaica falls'. I do not know what that student's experiences have been with Jamaicans, but the bitterness was almost palpable.
In the 1970s, I was a 'small island' student in Jamaica, and can recall some of the disparaging 'small island' remarks from some Jamaicans. I came to realise that most of these were made out of ignorance.
The Eastern Caribbean student is now committing the same wrong complained of. As Caribbean people, if we cannot support each other, then we should at least refrain from kicking each other when we are down. Rather than gloat over Jamaica's economic and crime problems, other Caribbean peoples should take heed, and note the paths not to tread. The same problems that confront Jamaica today could be the same problems confronting other Caribbean countries tomorrow.
The Eastern Caribbean student should give credit for the economic growth in the small islands where it's due.
I am, etc.,
K. HYLTON
khylton@csjamaica.com
