Editorial
The Issue of Race
It is deceitfully not talked about openly,because of the claim that it does not exist here in the CaymanIslands.
Yet, its ugly head is beginning to surface as an awareness offact, in the everyday work places, social gatherings and, aboveall places, the Church and the Legislative Assembly.
Two historical notes come to mind whichadd 'truth and consequences' to this latest dilemma of our BelovedIslands.
For decades, there was the claim here in Cayman that if a personwas Black (that is, belonging to an ethnic group descendedfrom dark-skinned peoples) - visited their White neighbours, (thedictionary describes this as people with naturally pale skin)their footprints were swept away to smoothen the traditionallywell-kept sand yards of that era.
And then, there is the true story, worthyof repeating again: of a Black Caribbean man, who, on becomingtired of the prejudicial attitudes of the Southern United States,which he endured while working in Miami in the mid to late 60s was pleased to hear from a visiting banker from Cayman and later confirmed by the Islands' then Catholic Priest that the Cayman Islands was the right choice to plan a future,because, racially, the community was made up of people who were20 percent White, 20 percent Black and 60 percent who did notgive a hoot as to what colour they are, because of their mixed-raceexistence.
These two anecdotes could go in either directionin seeking the truth in respect of race relations in today's Cayman.
In respect of the accusation regarding the footprints of the well-keptsand yards, instead of thinking of this as strictly a racially,motivated action, it may very well be that the homeowners of thatera only liked to keep their yards spic and span with neatly,smoothed out sand.
And then, like some other new residentsof the Cayman back then in the late 60s to early 70s, there wasan influx of people of different nationalities from other countrieswho also welcomed the 'lack of racial awareness' and settled here,after experiencing incidences of reversed prejudice on some Caribbeanislands and other countries from whence they came.
It is disappointing, therefore, to say theleast, that the blame for some of the ills attributed to race,which are impacting our social fabric in recent times with anescalating, deafening rhetoric, should be placed squarely on manyshoulders.
This is where there should be self and spiritual examination.
Meanwhile, it is a fact that there are somewho have come to live here, Black and White, who are imposingtheir own social and racial attitudes on the people of the CaymanIslands.
How is this coming about? Simply, because of the mix of ignoranceof our social history and their own selfishness; in their questto secure a piece of this country's unique lifestyle, withouttaking the necessary time to learn of our culture and peacefultraditions.
It is particularly nauseating to witnessthe recent insensitivity of all who are espousing racial divisionin our society, whether it is through pronouncements of the immunityof the offices they hold or the economic power they control.
Furthermore, the people of this land, regardlessof their colour should, by all means, have the right to challengeanyone who they perceive is not giving them the opportunity foradvancement in their workplace or social environment because oftheir national origin or colour of their skin. And thatshould work both ways.
It is also pitiful when racial accusationsare contrived, because of some person's right to speak their mindin opposition and stand their ground, when pointing out to obviousdecisions, which are made regarding some hiring and business practicesbased on race and national origin.
Meanwhile, sadly, it appears today thatthe Cayman Islands, the seemingly perfect place many have movedto over the past two to three decades, is in some cases subtlyand in other instances aggressively being perfected by many tosuit their own heritage not our own.
This certainly must not come to pass.