Xenophobia is the hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers while jingoism is excessive and aggressive patriotism.
Which of the terms do you tend to associate with Anguillians, xenophobia or jingoism? I’m afraid that from my perspective it appears that the term xenophobia is likely to be more readily associated with Anguillians than jingoism. Our apparent reluctance to allow non-Anguillians to find a home amongst us, even after several years of contributing to our community and demonstrating respect for our values is something that is not easily explained. Does our apparent reluctance stem from hatred or fear? Moreover do we have a basis for either feeling towards non-Anguillians?
Tourism is Anguilla’s primary industry and we continue to aspire to build our financial services industry. These industries require that we be welcoming and appreciative of strangers coming to our shores and those using technology to do business in Anguilla. Our attitude towards non-Anguillians is therefore paradoxical. Why do many of us appear to exhibit hatred or fear of the very persons required to ensure the success of these industries?
There is also a school of thought that if we are to grow our economy in the short term we must commensurately grow our population in the short term. If we subscribe to this school of thought, unless we plan to radically increase our birth rate it appears to me that we must welcome immigration into Anguilla. It follows that persons immigrating to Anguilla are very likely to wish to engage in successful livelihoods. This too should be our desire for them, in order to ensure they do not become a burden on our strained social services. Pursuing a successful livelihood requires that immigrants seek to progress in our communities. To stand in the way of such desires is to deny them an opportunity to contribute to our economy and by extension our various businesses and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Being welcoming to non-Anguillians does not mean that Anguillians should assume second place to non-Anguillians seeking to make their lives amongst us. I continue to profess the view that when an Anguillian possesses the requisite qualifications, experience and work ethic required for a position in the public or private sectors, that Anguillian should get that job. When there is no such Anguillian the job can be legitimately filled by a non-Anguillian who demonstrates the appropriate attributes.
In light of the obvious value of non-Anguillians to the desired growth of our economy why do many of us appear to exhibit more xenophobic traits than jingoistic (excessive and aggressive patriotism) traits? The question might in fact be asked: – How many of us demonstrate any patriotic tendencies whatsoever, let alone excessive or aggressive patriotism? Patriotic traits are exhibited by demonstrating a desire to protect, help, respect and enjoy one’s country. Each one of us should consider whether we visibly demonstrate by our words and actions a desire to protect, help, respect and enjoy Anguilla.
Do we see service in our security forces as being beneath us? Are we constantly focused on leaving Anguilla’s shores rather than contributing to its development? Do we constantly recount Anguilla’s perceived failings rather than its accomplishments? Have we considered that our uncensored words and actions may be harming Anguilla? Do we see, appreciate, preserve and share the beauty of our surroundings?
It appears to me that if we tend more towards jingoism and less towards xenophobia we stand a far greater chance of ensuring Anguilla’s desired economic progress and all the attendant benefits. It is my hope that the thoughts shared in this article will serve as a catalyst to motivate each of us to examine our thoughts, words and actions and their potential impact on Anguilla’s development.
Stanley E. Reid previously served as Deputy Governor of Anguilla. He is currently the Principal of his Legal and Consultancy Practice, SER – Legal & Consultancy Services.
