Was There Racism in Paradise?

Another intriguing email came in yesterday from Josh W. of Sacramento, CA. Josh writes, 'My girl friend and I love your stories about living on an island that was 80 percent black. Did you experience any racism in the islands? My girl friend and I spent a week in Hawaii and it was pretty strong over there. Keep the stories coming. Josh W., Sacramento, CA.'

Good question, Josh. I didn't experience much racism in St. Kitts and Nevis, but it was there. I remember one evening when I was having a drink with Dr. Henry Browne, a government minister who had served as the chief prosecutor for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

A black man who had been drinking staggered to our table. Dr. Browne knew him and didn't object when he started writing. He accused me of coming to his island and stealing a job from an islander. He demanded that I resign and return to America!

Dr. Browne smiled. 'Robert,' he said, 'do you know how to edit copy? Can you spell? Do you know how to write a story that would compel people to read it? If you don't, shut the hell up and leave me and my friend continue our conversation.' The man blinked a couple of times and slunk away.

I taught a six-week course in creative writing at a private Christian academy on St. Kitts. My students came from six different islands and ranged in age from 13 to 19. One night the 13-year-old raised her hand to ask a question. She wanted to know why there was so much racism in America. She cited the famous Rodney King incident and added, 'I know you love us and are not a racist, but why does it persist in America?'

I told her, 'Luana, the vast majority of Americans are not racists. Racism is something that is kept alive by people who seek power and wealth by exploiting racism. When you see somebody claiming racism, it's usually a power grab.'

I saw some racism at work on both islands. People who were darker skinned than the others would claim they were the true natives of the islands and therefore entitled to greater benefits than their lighter-skinned fellow citizens. Some island inhabitants were amused by the arguments, while others were troubled.

St. Kitts had several gambling casinos while Nevis prohibited them. The casinos had both white and black executives as part of management, but they had a silent agreement with the government not to try to lure in the poor island people to their gambling tables. If a wealthy American or British tourist wished to take them to the casino for the evening, that was fine. But for the island residents to come there on their own was frowned upon.

I remember the evening I took Lynette as my guest to the Jack Tar Village casino owned by the Marriott Corp. Her brother, Steve, who worked there as a security guard was pleased with my decision. He told Lynnette to 'dress well' so she could do a good job of reflecting her position in the community.

She loved her gambling experience.

She won about $80 playing the video poker machine. I told her how to play and she learned quickly. From that point on she was insistent that I take her back there again...and again...and again.

Racism is slowly disappearing. I hope someday it will vanish totally and give people something else to complain about. Thanks for the question.