Mentally shackled
published: Saturday | July 22, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WRITE in response to the Letter of the Day for Wednesday July 19, 2006 entitled JCDC Beauties Not Yet "Beyond Boundaries". Mrs. Herdsman seems to be shackled mentally in her own right. I was honestly shocked into responding. How could anyone in 2006 be so mentally enslaved? The definition of what is beautiful has plagued our society for many years, leaving many with physical and mental scars. Next year, 2007, will mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. Instead of denying our ancestors, we should be honouring them.

As to her question of where are the Indians, Europeans and Chinese among us, the answer is, filing up by the hundreds to get their place as the 'more' prestigious Miss Jamaica World and Universe. The goodies to be gained here seem to be more alluring. Checks with the JCDC or any well-thinking Jamaican will indicate that there are no barriers to entry to this competition. Therefore, the Afrocentric euphoria of which Mrs. Herdsman speaks may only be a figment of her imagination. She is definitely not alone in her potently dangerous mentality. Being Afrocentric may not be such a bad thing after all, seeing that most of our young men and women are preferring to bleach their black skins to avoid identifying with their African ancestors.

I will conclude by offering heartiest congratulations to Miss Trelawny, Kaysia Johnson, on her well deserved victory. Also to all the other contestants who felt that participating in such a competition was worth their while.

I am, etc.,

L.A.W.

Miss_eng@hotmail.com

Portmore, St. Catherine