The educated innercity
published: Wednesday | January 1, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE STIGMATISATION of the inner city, otherwise called the ghetto, has obscured the 'goods' being produced by its inhabitants.
The inner city communities are producing many scholars. This emergence of academic prowess, in the inner city, needs to be recognised and applauded by those who are critical of inner-city residents. Incidentally, some of these 'faultfinders' lived in the ghetto. The University of the West Indies, and other degree-granting institutions, are fraught with students who are living in the inner-city communities.
This is an indication that education, as well as expertise, have no geographical boundary, hence, like the residential areas, the 'ghettos' are producing doctors, lawyers, theologians, scientists and writers.
As a consequence, some of these residents have become suitable candidates for prestigious positions in the labour market. However, this privilege, in most cases, is denied by 'geographical prejudice'. This has forced some of the educated, leadership-focused, inner-city residents out of their communities.
The academic qualities being displayed by many inner-city residents represent the proof that the gap between those communities and other residential communities is being narrowed.
