Dear Pastor,

You are doing a great job. I'm a Jamaican, married to an Antiguan and living in Antigua also for the past five years. I've travelled to several different countries but I have never experienced hatred like how it is here in Antigua. I'm not saying that other Jamaicans don't experience maybe the same elsewhere but it is horrific here. Since the general election in March 2009, the hate and anger against us has raised it head. They call mainly the Jamaicans and Guyanese "non-nationals," as if other people from other countries aren't "non-nationals" too.

There are bad people living here but you have some pretty good ones too. If one sits and listens to the radio stations here, you wonder if we are not normal people like them. It has been announced on the radio stations that they want us out of their country. And yes, it's true; at the moment they are not signing any work permits for "non-nationals" who are the Jamaicans and Guyanese. Even though I'm an Antiguan citizen, I still fear for my life while living here. Nobody seems to like us, for no known reason!

pauperised

The thing is they want to disrespect us and treat us as if we are dogs and we must never reply to them. They claim we act like we own Antigua. A few weeks ago, I was listening to one of the popular radio stations, owned by the ruling party. One of the hosts who studied and lived in Jamaica at one point started blasting us, saying that our country is "pauperised." The host went on to say that "all Jamaicans living here in Antigua were uneducated and poor" and not one of us "even owns a house."

I am thinking about coming home to live. I have already built my house since living here. I've fallen out of love for my husband because he's a hater too. What do you think could be the solution to this stressful living? How can I make the relationship with my husband get better?

C.L., Antigua, Caribbean

Dear C.L.,

First of all, let me say that personally I love the island of Antigua. And I have had the privilege of staying with Antiguans. During my visit they treated me very well. However, it is true, that Antiguans are very nationalistic. But I know Jamaicans who have been living in Antigua for many years and have made a tremendous contribution to the island. And these Jamaicans are highly respected.

On the other hand, there are those who have gone to Antigua and have got involved with drugs and carry on illegal activities. That, of course, has caused the Antiguans to feel that Jamaicans are trying to bring their country down. I don't need to say that that is nonsense.

being threatened

There are Antiguans who give the impression that they do not love Jamaicans. And that is very sad. Some Jamaican women who are in Antigua claim that the Antiguan women are upset with the Jamaican women because the Jamaican women are taking away the Antiguan men from them. That sounds so childish. I rather doubt that you took away your Antiguan husband from anybody. Am I right or wrong? For the fun of it, let me say if this accusation were true, it means that Jamaican women have what it takes to get men and keep them.

You claim that your husband has become a hater too. May I suggest that if you feel that your marriage is being threatened that you go and speak to a family counsellor.

Don't overreact to anybody when they speak ill of Jamaicans. Jamaicans are hard-working and proud people. If their skills were not needed in Antigua, the government would not have allowed them to stay there. We are Caribbean people and we should live and work together and not curse or condemn each other.

Pastor