THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN I was younger I underestimated the effect that slavery still had on the psyche of our people and would view with scorn the utterings of those who viewed our lack of progress on slavery and the oppression of our people because I thought that it was a long time ago and we should have moved on.
Though, I by no means believe that it should be used willy-nilly as an excuse, I am now far more cognisant of the far-reaching and long-standing effect that slavery has had and continues to have on our people, especially on our psyche.
It is evidenced in our daily life by the glorification of the 'browning' in our society and by the women and men, in and out of our ghettos trying to bleach their faces and bodies daily.
I recall when my first boyfriend took me home to his mother in a Kingston 8 neighbourhood, she commented to him, in my absence, that she thought I was 'a little too dark'. My story is by no means unique.
I call upon the mothers in Jamaica to stop telling their children that they have to marry someone lighter to 'carry dem off' because implicit in this message is that they themselves are not good enough.
As a people we have a sad but rich history and much to be proud of. Our forefathers fought to free us from the physical bonds of slavery, now it is up to us to fight a new battle. It is up to us to stop this vicious cycle. Let us not pass this on to the next generation and the generation after that. Let us tell our children that they are beautiful each day.
Let us teach our children about the rich history of the black race, not just our slave past but of the kings and queens in Africa thousands of years ago. Let us teach them about the inventions and the accomplishments of black people all over the world. Let us foster a renewed vigour in national festivals so that the experience can be shared and appreciated by all. In this vein, the Government's involvement in arranging the recent visit of Miss Lou is one which must be lauded.
None but ourselves can free our minds!
I am, etc.,
SHAWN STEADMAN
sjani74@yahoo.com
