THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WOULD like to comment on Mr. Peter Espeut's thought-provoking October 19 article 'A heritage of resistance' in which he expressed concerns about Jamaicans' lack of appreciation of their own culture and a preference for North American and Western European cultures.
Most Jamaicans are alienated from their own culture because they are not given opportunities to fully contribute to its development. Much that is presented as Jamaican culture reflects the contributions of a chosen few.
We have failed to preserve our cultural heritage. Mr. Espeut mentioned Miss Lou's 1970s television series Ring Ding. The video recordings of this programme were erased. We also have failed to preserve many historical buildings, allowing them to fall into disrepair.
Mr. Espeut wrote about the acceptance of Jamaican culture outside of the country. It is ironic how often foreigners package our culture and sell it to us instead of we doing the packaging ourselves and selling it to them. For example, most of the books about Bob Marley were written and published by foreigners and sold here.
It is essential that we maintain traditions but at the same time open ourselves to new ideas. If we don't, then our culture will stagnate. We shouldn't regard foreign cultures as enemies of our own. These foreign ideas can be used to our advantage. All Jamaicans must be allowed to fully participate if they are going to appreciate the worth of their own culture.
I am, etc.,
A. PIERRE SOBERS
11 Widcombe Drive
Kingston 6
