Dear Editor and Readers,
It has taken me a couple of days to settle my thoughts and write an appropriate response to “a friendly expat”. So after 48 hours contemplating, a morning meditation with devotional and scripture readings, and composing several draft letters to the Editor, I am now ready to voice what needs to be said.
You may have read this reader’s letter to the Editor, “Mingling on Anguilla”, published in the 22nd January 2021 edition of The Anguillian. I noted the disparaging remarks made regarding myself. He/she wrote in response to my column, “Mingling within the Anguilla Community – Creating more harmony with all of our neighbours”, printed in the 15th January publication.
My professional reputation and honourable character have been defamed by the presumptuous comments of “a friendly expat”. He/she totally misconstrued my words with her/his own interpretation of their meaning. Thus, I have no choice but to write a rebuttal in defence of who I truly am.
This expat hid in anonymity and did not have her/his legal name printed with the published letter. He/she did not reach out to me, personally, to get clarification nor to talk about what I actually meant by my written words. Had he/she done so, we hopefully would have had a courteous dialogue.
Clearly, my opinion-editorial opened up a topic that needs to be discussed with this reader, and perhaps others too. A talk show or public consultation might be worth scheduling – so we can speak collectively. Hopefully, my column and these letters will open meaningful reasoning amongst people in the Anguilla community. That is always the intent of my reflective writings.
In every column that I write, and which is published, my contact details are provided although I don’t list my telephone numbers. Anyone can reach me through the Editor-in-Chief, Mr A. Nat Hodge, MBE. Mr Hodge or a staff member will call or email me to ask permission to give out my mobile number. That has happened before, and I have granted it. So “a friendly expat” had the opportunity to connect with me one-on-one by phone, and even in person, had he/she chosen to do so.
I am a truth-seeking journalist and write as a freelance columnist for the local newspaper. Writing is my passion and a gifted talent given to me from birth. I have crafted and honed my skills over numerous decades and in many international avenues for a multitude of businesses, churches, entrepreneurs, governments and non-profit organisations.
When I write for the Anguilla community, it is to speak about matters that concern all of us in this small island developing nation state. Sometimes they may be positive. At other times they can be considered negative. Everything that I say is to help uplift humanity. The words I compose are always guided by the Most-High. It is as if I channel divine messages from Spirit.
Every one of us is entitled to our own opinions. However, we must do so in a well-mannered and respectful way. Vehemently attacking any individual in public is uncalled for. It is cowardly, discourteous, dishonourable, disrespectful and undiplomatic. When people behave in such a manner, they show the world that they do not uphold ethics, integrity and morals.
In all fairness, we have to be willing to listen to opinions that differ from ours, then speak truthfully and permit others to do the same. We cannot go about rebuking another person’s words and/or character just because we don’t agree with or like what they said. That is unconscionable!
In summary, the terminology “colourless society”, “dissociative”, “discrimination”, “divisive”, “lack of mingling”, “underlying premise”, “victim” and “victimhood” are solely a friendly expat’s perspective. The tone of my column’s words on mingling within the Anguilla community was to encourage us all to treat each other kindly as neighbours.
In everyone we must see Jah, Allah, Yahweh, the Christ consciousness – or whatever name we choose to call the Supreme Source of All Power – if we are to advance as the human race created by the Creator. May we work to change, shift and evolve to higher heights of conscious living.
I am merely a universal messenger, as we all are, conveying divine truths and life lessons to humanity.
Respectfully,
Kay M Ferguson (Ms)
Freelance Columnist
_____________
To chat or correspond with Kay M Ferguson—The Empress Extraordinaire regarding her commentaries published in The Anguillian newspaper, please contact her directly. Call Ms Ferguson on AXA mobile number 1 264 476 8735 or USA landline 1 206 388 4848. Email Kay at anguillawriter@gmail.com or personal message to her using LinkedIn, Messenger or WhatsApp.
