Letter to the Editor
In the interest of better understanding
Dear Sir,
On the one hand, you offer your pages tonon-Caymanian critics of certain aspects of life in Cayman. Onthe other hand, you beat the critics about the head so as to discouragethem from writing. Which is it to be? Why be hypocritical?
If it is your newspaper's policy to suck up to all Caymaniansboth good and bad, go ahead. That is what another local paperis often accused of doing.
However, your Letters pages are not the proper place for editorializing.To add immediate rebuttals to letters you don't approve of isgrossly unfair, and unethical. Surely you know that!
Your recent rebuttals to me and Trevor Davies contained some personalabuse, some outright lies, and some misleading statements.
I have no anti-Caymanian prejudices. That is a nasty slander,and I invite you to withdraw your claim.
I have never said that all Caymanians are unfriendly or unwelcoming.I invite you to apologize for implying that I did. SOME nativeCaymanians are unfriendly to non-Caymanians, and it is silly foryou to imply otherwise.
Many Caymanians are and have always been gracious hosts. Thereare good and bad in every community. You should not be afraidof saying that.
My first letter asked "Why do so few Latinos or Jamaicansvolunteer for service in community clubs etc?" You addedthe word "Brits", and told me afterwards. ("Gordon,I have changed your letter... Is that all right with you?")I let it pass, though it made no sense. Everyone knows that Britishpeople, both transients and immigrants, are great volunteers inservice clubs. And by the way, newspapers should NEVER changeLetters to the Editor without good cause. That is not fair orethical, either.
My letters were deliberately provocative. That means they aimedto provoke discussion. There is no malice in them, except towardsanti-immigrant bigots in the community. If you equate provocationwith malice, then you need to find a new dictionary.
Only fair and amicable discussions will stop Cayman's drift towardsa permanently polarized society. Your newspaper has a historicopportunity to facilitate such a discussion. Please don't spurnthe opportunity. If you down the throats of those who defend therights of immigrants, there will be no two-way discussion at all.The decision is yours.
There is a tremendous amount to be done to bring the two sidestogether. It is not in Cayman's best interests to intimidate non-Caymanianletter-writers quite so soon. Your comments have probably putthe kibosh on the proposed Community Relations Board. Thanks abunch!
My thanks to Trevor Davies for his support, but I urge him notto write any more. He has already put his Work Permit in seriousjeopardy, and his Immigration file will have been marked. Unlesshe has a deep love for Cayman, he should not put his home andcareer on the line. The same applies to anyone else thinking ofwriting.
Gordon Barlow
George Town
Editor's Note:
We have been straightforward in our policyto provide a forum for Caymanians and non-Caymanians alike tocomment on matters germane to their lives and to the Cayman Islands.
Yes, there are good and bad in every community. Our role is simple:To ensure that the publication covers the news and reflects theviews of the community, without fear or favour.
We welcome contributions that will provoke debate, help our readersbetter understand the issues, and provide different perspectives.
We reserve the right to edit submissions in the interest of accuracy,clarity, style and good taste.