THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS quite dismayed to note a recent letter from 'A Returning Resident' articulating the need for Jamaicans to be more appreciative of 'white nations.' The writer stressed the point that when seeking aid, our government turned to countries such as the United States, Great Britain, etc.
Such an opinion is dangerous. It is true that Jamaica and several other developing nations are in less than pristine conditions, economically and socially. It is also true that countries in positions similar to Jamaica will not have much to offer in terms of financial aid.
If we look at history, we will note that these so-called superior 'white nations' acted in various ways to ensure the on-going state of Jamaica, etc.
Countries such as ours were used by colonial powers as sources of raw materials for their economies. These activities were promoted to the detriment of existing local economic efforts.
The net result was that, after centuries of colonial rule, the affected countries were already operating in an underdeveloped manner. Raw materials were harvested in Jamaica, etc., and sent to the 'Mother Country.'
Underdevelopment arose out of the fact that the means of refining sugar etc., into a finished product remained in the hands of the colonial powers. Locals were not allowed to complete the process of production.
It has been shown that such policies were deliberate and pursued in a manner as to maintain the dependence of the colonised on the colonial powers. Subsequent 'liberation' of the colonies did little to improve this sorry state of affairs and the way to development has been a painful and arduous one ever since.
Sir, countries such as Jamaica face a difficult task of getting onto a level playing field economically. They were deliberately underdeveloped as a means of ensuring the economic superiority of the 'white nations.' This situation exists today where the developing nations, by and large, can only offer raw materials for refinement processes in the 'white nations.'
The much more valuable refined goods are then sold back to the developing nations for much higher prices. The result is the use of the developing world's limited foreign exchange to buy these, often necessary goods.
The ultimate result, is that money which should be spent on development is spent on consumption. I ask, as I am sure every government in these nations does, how do we get out of this rut deliberately dug for us by the 'white nations?'
I am etc.,
MARLON JOHNSON
mhj_007@hotmail.com
Miami
Florida
United States
Via Go-Jamaica
