THE EDITOR, Sir:
DAWN RITCH'S articles are for the most part well reasoned and critical analyses of her chosen topic. Her considerable intellect is, however, severely constrained by deeply-held race conscious beliefs as shown in her recent article, to which at least one colleague has responded.
In this regard Ms. Ritch is no different from the large number of Jamaicans who express these views in private or whose judgement of people is strongly but unconsciously influenced by race conscious notions, i.e. the more "white blood" in the individual the more innate intelligence, courage or whatever else is under scrutiny.
These parochial and small-minded notions of "brown" vs. "black" vs. "white" sit well with those Jamaicans like Ms. Ritch who cling zealously to the honorary white status that South African Indians and "Coloureds" rightly rejected out of hand ages ago, as being the very cornerstone of white supremacist thought.
Ms. Ritch is not alone in this psychological malady. What is surprising is that she has the self-confidence to express this sort of unscientific stupidity without feeling that her intellectual integrity is thereby compromised.
I am, etc.,
ANNETTE JOHNSON
Shop #30
King's Plaza
Kingston 10
