The Editor, Sir:

Your article on racism on Sunday touched a nerve and I felt compelled to write. I am a white Englishman now living in Jamaica, and here are some of my personal experiences both in the United Kingdom and Jamaica.

First, let me say that racism because of the colour of someone’s skin is a dreadful thing, and I do not uphold it. My views have changed over the years. I am now 48 years old.I am married to a black Jamaican and I have one child with her, and two black stepchildren whom I love very much. Back in the U.K., I have three of my own mixed race children from a Jamaican mother and two black ‘stepchildren’ also from the same mother.

I found much verbal racism from black people in the U.K. because I was with a black woman, but very little from the white population.

One instance that really made me think was while walking in a shopping mall with my wife, a group of about six adolescent boys called to my wife: “You sell out ...”

Now considering that they must be at least third generation black/Jamaican where are they getting their racism from?

Another man in his late 20s with a Jamaican accent came up to me while I was in a video store with my wife and asked: “Is that your woman?” I looked at him and answered, “Yes.” He then left me and went across to my wife and asked if she could not find a black man!Back in 1976, while at college, I joined in many anti-National Front demonstrations, my feelings then were so strong.

Since moving to Jamaica nearly three years ago, the same thing is happening here and the race card is still being used here! My current wife was walking with our nine-month baby in Port Maria and a man asked: “You can’t find a black man to breed (for)?”Funnily enough, both her children’s fathers had nothing to do with their upbringing (sound familiar?).

I am, etc.,

P. J. C.

The Editor, Sir:

I am a white Englishman who has lived in Jamaica for 10 years.

I met a Jamaican woman nine years ago, whom I married and we have a five-year-old son.Apart from Jamaica, we have lived in England, Trinidad, Belize, Spain and Mexico. And we have never, ever encountered any racism except in Jamaica.

Walking in the city centre together was to invite a torrent of abuse. And, I mean, on a daily basis.

This was one of the governing reasons for us to leave Jamaica – before our son became aware of this prevalent attitude.

Although your story is worthy, I feel that it is time to approach the prejudices in your own backyard – not just about race, but also religion and homosexuality, to name a couple of other areas.

I am, etc.,