Hotels accused of 'racist' treatment
published: Wednesday | December 3, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IN RESPONSE to the letter in today's Gleaner (December 2) regarding equal treatment of 'dark-skinned' visitors vs. 'fair-skinned' visitors, I am sure that the problem is not the hired help. They are taking their cues from their managers and owners.

I have had MULTIPLE instances of 'racist' mistreatment at varied hotels in Jamaica. I guess we have not uplifted our minds from the days of colonialism just yet. They (managers and owners of hotels etc.) believe that we ('black people') are lesser people. I just want the people of Jamaica to have the respect for themselves and their people of colour to understand that there is no need to degrade themselves by treating their fellowmen like second class citizens. We have enough of that to deal with when we live in a foreign country.

The tourist industry is very important to the future and survival of the Jamaican economy. But, "black people" that visit our fine country contribute to that same economic pot as well. There are more 'black people' spending money off the beaten path than their "white" counterparts. I visit Jamaica more times in one year than does any one of those 'white' tourists. I spend more money in Jamaica in one day than my 'white' counterparts in one week. Let's get it right!

I am etc.,

JEFF McCORMACK

hoodini1@juno.com

15 Aberdeen Drive

Old Bridge, New Jersey

Via Go-Jamaica