THE EDITOR, Sir:
'ARE YOU an expat?' The question was asked by an employee at Producer Group's London office. I was speechless. As dumbfounded as the first time I had to fill in a form in the United States that asked about my ethnicity. In Jamaica, I had never really given it much thought and had never had to articulate it in words or script.
He thought me an ex-pat because we were on the phone. He wouldn't have in person. For the first time, I was struck by the difference in nomenclature used to describe whites and blacks abroad and its attendant civilities or lack thereof. I was an alien to the U.S. and an immigrant to Europe. An immigrant is to be assimilated and force-fed civilisation, European style. An ex-pat is a welcomed addition to the society. They are from equal civilisations whose norms are welcomed to co-exist side by side with the local culture and ideals.
I am, etc.,
DOREEN McGANN
doreenmcgann@netscape.net
JSrfSlla, Stockholm
Sweden
Via Go-Jamaica
