THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHAT IS THIS about Jamaica imposing visa restrictions on Caymanians? Are we really surprised, or is it a lack of shame that is causing us to engage in this 'tit-for-tat'? Who will lose from this restriction, Jamaica or Cayman? Have you ever seen a plane load of Caymanians disembarking at our airports to have holidays in Jamaica? Since so many Jamaicans are making a living in the Cayman Islands, shouldn't we be encouraging the Caymanians to visit Jamaica to see that not all Jamaicans are thieves and criminals?
England some time ago decided that not all Jamaicans were welcomed in their country, although we swear allegiance to their Queen as our head of state. Why didn't we impose visa restrictions on Britons coming to Jamaica?
SHAMEFUL
I wonder if the Ministers Knight and Whiteman have ever been in London or New York and seen the behaviour of some of our people? They would bow their heads in shame and speak in another accent to make sure the people around do not realise that they are from the same part of the planet as these persons.
It is true that the majority of Jamaicans are law-abiding, hard-working citizens who go abroad to improve their lives and to care for their families, but there are some who think that the same crass behaviour which is normal in Jamaica, in the buses and on the streets, will be accepted by other countries. These countries are trying to tell us that they will not have it.
WHY?
It is my recommendation that, rather than behaving as if the Caymanian Government has greatly offended us, we should look at why Jamaicans are being subjected to screening by so many countries. Why it is that our society is so violent, why is it that Jamaicans have their houses covered with burglar bars inside and outside, etc.
The Government needs to acknowledge the fact that we Jamaicans are scared of our own people. We do not trust each other. We cannot drive with our windows down to benefit from the lovely breeze which graces our island. This would reduce our gas bills, but we dare not. We cannot sit on our verandahs anymore.
If we had a choice like England and the Caymans, we would impose visa restrictions on persons entering our neighbourhoods. In fact isn't that what is happening on a smaller scale, with so many gated neighbourhoods?
If we do not acknowledge our problems and try to deal with them, who will?
I am, etc.,
E. STEWART
Patrick City
