Dear Editor,

It is accepted that slavery was, and is an abomination, and wherever instances of it is found today attempts are made to eradicate it. I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that the Europeans who went to Africa to round up human cargo for use as slaves did not do the actual legwork. On the contrary, it was the Africans who had enemy captives and slaves themselves that they traded with the Europeans. At least that was how it went initially.

From all indications it would seem the Jamaican Government is no different from those Africans of old who were selling their fellow man. The only difference here is that it is being done in more clandestine fashion.

Do a quick check of the stakes foreign interests currently hold in Jamaica and it will become obvious that we are indeed being sold off bit by bit. Our biggest telecommunications providers have their headquarters overseas. The fates of our sugar and coffee industries now lie in the hands of China, with the Goat Islands rumoured to have already gone the same route. To travel on a Jamaican highway these days requires the payment of a tax…I mean toll, to a company I am told is over there in France. The Spanish control a few of our hotels, while any activity regarding bauxite is dependent upon the Russians. Even Trinidad, who have “tun up di dissing” of Jamaicans travelling to its shores, in recent times, has a piece of Jamaica via the construction (cement) and financial (insurance) sectors. They have Air Jamaica as well. Among the banks, too, which we hear make billions in profits annually, are some which are domiciled overseas.

Jamaicans often express sympathy for the poor, disenfranchised, African people, who have had the resources of their continent, such as gold and oil plundered by foreigners, but how much different are we? After the payment of wages and a little capital investment here and there where do you think the bulk of the profits from these foreign-based companies here in Jamaica go?

There is an adage that says if a frog is put into a pot of boiling water it will jump out immediately, but if that same frog is put into a pot of cold water and that pot of water is gradually brought to a boil, the frog will remain there until cooked. An objective observer looking on couldn’t be faulted for arriving at the conclusion that the Jamaican people are actually frogs.

Is it farfetched to predict that, in the not too distant future, the only thing Jamaicans will own is the name…Jamaica?

Incidentally, some of our “bright” people are busy promoting the idea that patois ought to be formally taught in schools. I humbly suggest that those funds, time, and energy would be better spent teaching Mandarin.

Robert Mitchell

Christiana PO

Manchester

mitcib@yahoo.ca