Jamaica Kincaid Reflection

      Jamaica Kincaid was born in Antigua in 1949; she later became a writer. She was sent to New York to work as an au pair in 1965. Her native country of Antigua is an island that remained under the control of the British up to 1981. This fact has a large influence in Kincaid’s book Small Places. Due to the presence of the British, a large sense of discrimination arose against Antigua’s local habitants. In Small Places Kincaid demonstrates the large differences that existed between Antigua’s locals and the British power that ruled their island. A clear example of this in the book is when the doctor (Jewish refugee), demands certain conditions from his patients. The doctor would not treat any child that was not completely clean because if that was not the case he wouldn’t date to treat them. Another example presented in the book is the construction of Mill Reef Club, which was being handled by the North American, would not permit the presence of any Antiguan locals unless they were servants. A large number of examples are presented throughout Small Places. These examples presented by Kincaid help the reader understand why she is so hard on foreigners, holding a special sense of hatred towards the British and North Americans in particular. Without knowing Antigua’s background or Kincaid’s history, one would be under the presumption that she is filled with hate and resentment towards foreigners without just cause. However, as one reads Small Places the reader is able to understand the inequality that existed toward the Antiguans.

                              (Mill Reef Club)

      On the other hand, I still find the authors position unjust when looked at with an up to date point of view. We cannot judge people on the actions made by someone’s country in the past, it’s not a fair stance. Many foreigners visit the island of Antigua; a country which is economy is primarily based on tourism. In effect, the author should not be able to hold accountable the tourist or be so intolerant with visitors that cannot do anything to change the actions made by other people so many years ago. Additionally, the tourists that visit the island are exactly that: tourist. They are only there by passing and it cannot be expected of them to make a positive difference in a place where they will only be a few days. Kincaid cannot be so judgmental on every foreigner that touches Antiguan soil. Without a doubt, Antigua went through a very difficult time by those who were in power. However, we cannot forget the foreign tourist are who are currently uplifting the Antiguan economy.

      Now, given the period the author had to go through during her time in her native country created a horrible perception about outsiders. The author might not still have this perception about foreigners given her country’s independence which was obtained no more than 50 years ago. Discrimination still goes on today, there will always exist people in the world that have an unjust feeling of superiority. Although, we can be proud to say that there is significant less amount of discrimination today than 20 years ago. People have been able to create a much more tolerant and consciousness. Today, people understand that we are all different, and that our skin color, race, accent or native language aren’t a limitation of our abilities or mind and let alone a reason to discriminate against us.