IT IS NOT poverty which causes discontent; it is the perception of inequality.
This is borne out by today's story about dissatisfaction in Fairy Hill, Portland, as residents there are upset about how the Haitian refugees who landed there seem to be having a whale of a time.
This is in a situation where they are having hardships which are not being addressed.
There are many examples given, but a very important point is the trucking of water. The residents complain that they have had no water for some time, yet there have been regular supplies of water to the Haitians.
With all the goodwill in the world, this must rankle.
Add to this the amount of things the Haitians are getting, topped off by their perceived indolence, as they fight, the residents say, and play drums.
One can understand the feeling of the resentful residents. However, the solution is not to hate the Haitians, but to demand equal treatment, or at least some consideration as well. After all, suffering is suffering, whether or not it is backed up with the weight of an arduous journey across the sea.
We need to ask ourselves why as a nation we seem more concerned about Haitian refugees than the poor of our own country. Is it a matter that the poor who are with us always are so familiar that we can simply pass them by without a care? Is it that things from 'farin' hold so much fascination for us that it extends even to preferring the overseas poor?
Charity may not necessarily begin at home, but it certainly must get there or there will be many a discontented 'yardie'.
