THE EDITOR, Sir:

The shackles may be invisible but manifestations and effects of mental slavery have been clearly seen and felt by the nation. Today, we regard the woolly hair of people of African descent as bad and the straight hair of Europeans and Asians as good; and women must have their hair processed to be presentable.

We see pigmentation of the skin as unattractive and likely to be an obstacle in upward mobility in society, including in the corporate world. People with pigmentation of the skin, and of the lower-income group, are treated in a particular way while we kowtow with ear-to-ear smile to those of light complexion and from the upper echelons of society.

We have demonstrated by our social interaction with each other that we are no more free than those ex-slaves who celebrated the first Emancipation Day over 160 years ago. A comparison of today's society with that of the pre-emancipation society is at once very disturbing and enlightening. The fact that both societies can be compared is frightening.

Demonstrating for justice

Slaves were treated in 'hospitals' provided by slavemasters. But those same slave masters sailed out of the country to Europe for their health care. Can this be compared with anything we see today?

During the pre-emancipation period, slaves were denied justice; today, hardly one evening goes bywithout seeing aggrieved people demonstrating for justice.

Even in classrooms misguided teachers punish every student in the class because they cannot identify the student who committed a violation. How about that for teaching students justice. The invisible fetters are very difficult to remove.

I am, etc.,

R. Peart

Mandeville