The Editor, Sir:

Whatever caused Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of England's conscience to suddenly feel the sin and shame of slavery, we might never know.

Just before World War II, I attended a meeting in London where English speakers were placing the shame on the descendants of the slaves, when Una Maison, that great West Indian lady and professional, stood up from among a small group of West Indians and shouted, "Surely the shame is with your white population!" The meeting ended immediately.

No amount of forgiveness, reparations in any form, whether cash or otherwise, can compensate for the damage done to one's self-esteem, when, as a young indivi-dual you are told that you are brilliant but because of your colour you cannot be employed. It takes one with the strongest character and confidence to overcome such situations, otherwise such damage to one's self-esteem could affect one for life.

It is time for all God's children, which the human race claims to be, to be treated on equal terms.

I am, etc.,

LEO D. C. MARCH, C.D.

Dental surgeon