Skin color plays a critical role in the prejudices amongst different peoples in the Caribbean. Jamica was originally populated by the indigenous Arawak and Taino peoples, who were lighter skinned. In 1494, Christpher Columbus landed in Jamaica and declared it for Spain. As a result of the Spanish occupation, nearly all of the native people died from violence or communicable diseases introduced by the Spanish. In order to provide labor for the growing sugar plantations on the island, Spain forcibly transported thousands of Slaves from Africa. This development led to a darkening of the native skin lines and a growing resentment from the natives toward the white Creoles born of British colonialists. This brief history about Jamaica provides the reader with a better understanding of why the n ative Jamaicans resented Bertha and her family and brought them to violent prejudice.
Submitted by KENNETH LAREMORE on