In many ways, Jamaica's motto, 'Out of many, one people', is just wishful thinking, coined in an attempt to mend hundreds of years of division that exists in Jamaican society.

I used to buy into that line when I was younger and naive, telling people that in Jamaica race is not a big issue. If by using the word 'big' one means it is not frequently exposed for what it is in the public eye, then maybe I was correct. However, if by saying this one means that there is somehow little or no racism in Jamaica, then that statement is blatantly wrong.

I was forcefully faced with this fact again while watching what I thought might be a funny play, Bashment Granny 2. In reality, I had paid to see myself, my father's family and my ancestors insulted.

In the world of Bashment Granny, Chinese people are nasty, laughable sources of mockery, and have small genitalia. I half caught myself shouting and telling Shebada and Trevor about themselves before I swallowed my words with much effort. After all, they are just actors and not the playwright.

Mocking, racist humour

The sad part is that this is not the first time I have been to a Jamaican play and Chinese people have been the source of mocking, racist humour. It seems that all three of the last plays I have seen have contained something I would say is offensive to Chinese people.

I am sure many might now say, as my grandmother-in-law once said, that you know "how Chinese people stay", meaning Chinese are racist as well. But when you stop and think about those words, they are not befitting of an empathetic, humane person. Jesus rightfully said to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", not to "make excuses as to why we should continue treating others cruelly".

No matter who threw the first stone, we must realise we live in a glass house. We have institutionalised racism, weaving it into the crocus bag fabric of our society, while we comfort ourselves with platitudes like 'Out of many, one people'. Yes, we are out of many, but we are still not one people. We are not our brothers' keeper, nor have we ever been. And every time I see that phrase, it brings to mind another phrase: 'hypocrite'.

I am, etc.,

ANGRY MR SHIM

deport_me@hotmail.com

Georgia, USA