The Editor, Sir:

I write in response to the article in The Sunday Gleaner of March 4 in which it is reported that Chancellor Gordon Brown, tipped to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, advocates for a community service requirement for new migrants.

Mr. Brown claims that this will be a way of introducing new immigrants to the British people and way of life, and demonstrating that new immigrants are committed to contributing to the society. In my opinion, it is nothing but a cheap tactic to discourage immigrants of a certain hue, or at best to exploit new immigrants as a source of cheap labour. If, as Mr. Brown claims, his suggested programme will serve to integrate migrants into British life, then the requirement should apply all migrants, including those from European Com-munity states.

Face the facts

Modern Britain is a multicultural, pluralistic nation, and it is time for Mr. Brown and others to face that fact. Immigrants, such as my parents, worked hard in conditions of discrimination and other difficulties in order to build the industry and economy of Britain, and their children are inextricably woven into the cultural fabric of British life. Working in that nation for over 20 years, in the face of gross racism, it did not require community service for them to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the nation as a whole.

Perhaps it is the Anglo-Saxon Brits, such as Mr. Gordon, who should be compelled to do community service, so that they might come to understand and integrate with their more colourful neighbours who are very much a part of the contemporary British economy and culture, and have every right to be there.

I am, etc.,

MARIE A. REYNOLDS

openearja@gmail.com

Flushing, NY

Via Go-Jamaica