Editor,
Is it surprising that so many Caribbean islands have been given short shrift by the occupying colonial powers, both in preparation for Hurricane Irma and in the aftermath, when entire islands have been leveled to the extent they are uninhabitable? Britain has been particularly culpable in this regard, to where there has been serious shortages of food and water. But then, when has a colonial power historically cared enough about the well being of its “native subjects” in its far-flung territories?
Generally, what gives Britain, France, Holland and even the USA the right to continue to occupy these islands and exploit them? This has especially been the case through tourism by rich white folk from the corresponding colonizers being waited upon hand and mouth by brown-skinned locals, who are now without a paycheck with hotels there being closed, so they have not been able to take the next flight out.
Arun Ahuja
UNM student
