I would like to use this forum to address a letter to the Jamaican community on the Vineyard:
You have a long history of which you may not be aware. But many of you are not trying to find out about this history, and your history here is worth protecting. Many people migrated to Martha’s Vineyard from other countries, but they got involved in what is going on here on Martha’s Vineyard. Perhaps fear of reprisals about your immigrant status deters you. There is safety in numbers. Join some organization and let your voices be heard.
If the truth be told, lots of immigrants here are illegal; lots being exploited … “nature of the beast.” While I personally have never been an immigrant, I have been in situations where fear was ever-present in my life. Nonetheless, I learned to overcome that fear, and you can, too.
You might want to consider joining the MV NAACP to know that your people contributed to the development of this Island. Our meetings are the third Saturday of each month at 11 am (next one is on Feb. 18) in the Oak Bluffs Senior Center on Wamsutta Avenue. Give us a try.
Jacqueline Hunt, member
MV NAACP