I am an expat who has lived on Anguilla a significant part of the year for nearly forty years. As such, I have been here long enough to observe the changes that have taken place over those years.
One of the greatest attractions to me, in the beginning, was the fact that Anguilla was a “colorless” society. In charge of your own destiny, resilient and industrious, it was refreshing to experience a society that was mostly devoid of the deep-seated resentments I was so used to.
It now seems that with the advent of more exposure to the ways of the outside world, some Anguillians seem to have adopted the attitude that they are victims of the racial atmosphere that exists in the larger countries. What seems to be absent in this situation is the recognition that Anguilla is run by Anguillians. Anguilla’s government and business are run by Anguillians. As evident since Irma, British oversight is minimal and largely positive as it contributes to the improvement of the quality of life on the island.
What may be less evident, from a distance, is the impact politics has made on race relations in America. Racism is big business on the mainland. There is plenty of incentive to keep it alive as it influences voting trends, attitudes and promotes the concept of victimhood. Believe it or not, there are people on both sides in America who have no interest in improving race relations. They benefit greatly from its existence. In truth, America has made great strides in equal opportunity, but you would never know it if you listen to the rhetoric, especially from a distance.
Victimhood is a dead-end street. It stifles incentive and the inherent loss of self-esteem is destructive. Victimhood is a trap that Anguillians should be wary of falling into. Modern Anguilla is the home of Anguillians. Anguilla is owned by Anguillians. What happens to Anguillians on Anguilla is up to Anguillans. You can’t be a victim without an oppressor. It appears to me that the minimal involvement by the British is net positive for Anguillians. They largely hang around and help when needed.
I resent the underlying premise in Kay Ferguson’s recent article. Woven throughout her piece was the premise that Anguillans are subject to dissociative behaviour by people “that don’t look like them” as they permeate Anguillian society. Personally, I despise that statement. It’s divisive and no one looks like anyone else.
The friends I have made throughout my life have been made in various ways, not the least of which is through my interests and other things in common. Many of my friends are as a result of hobby interests, professional association and family connections. As much as Anguillian culture is influenced by American society, Anguilla still has a distinct culture of its own. This is a good thing for Anguillian identity but it has an impact on social interaction with people who don’t always understand or are not comfortable with it. The facts above make me believe that the lack of commonality among people has a much larger impact on friendships created, than any deep-seated sense of entitlement or racial undertones. I’ll go one step further and say that to think so requires at least some belief in the assumption of victimhood.
I have made many friends in my life. Some life-long friends – some for a short time over a business or professional connection. I associate with some more than others but all through common interest and motivation by both parties to deepen the friendship. I have rarely, if ever, made a friend because I felt I was supposed to. It just happened through a comfortable interaction. Both parties must want it to happen. I have to ask, are Anguillians doing everything they can do to encourage it?
In conclusion, I would argue that the lack of “mingling” that Ms. Ferguson observes is more due to dissimilar cultures than any prevalent level of discrimination. We are all attracted to the familiar. I remain attracted to the Anguillian sense of pride and self-worth that have always existed here. Let’s not fall victim to the shortcomings of the rest of the world – and instead provide an example of how people live together in harmony. Friendships and mingling will come at their own pace as societies grow together. It takes work by everyone involved.
A friendly expat
