Public Secrets: Race and Colour in Colonial and Independent Jamaica, by Henrice Altink

Abstract

[...]Chapter 5 summarizes the book's argument, traces the ongoing significance of race/color in present-dayjamaica, and suggests ways in which disparities might be routinely measured, monitored, and publicized to increase awareness, discussion, and change. [...]by treating colorism as a vital though neglected form of racial discrimination-showing how "Brownness" (like Whiteness) attracts differential treatment, accrues privilege, and allows for the accumulation of social capital-Altink challenges Jamaicans' tendency to think of race and racism largely in binary terms thereby reinforcing their sense of Jamaica's racial exceptionalism. [...]by attending to the euphemisms, ellipses, and other dodges Jamaicans have developed to talk about race while appearing not to- "home environment," "good taste and manners," "home training"-she compels readers to reflect on the work performed by these commonplace rhetorical strategies. The idea that race-neutral policies can still have racial effects, and that those charged with administering them do not readily set aside their own backgrounds and biases, are conclusions that the study makes difficult to dismiss. [...]advantages gained in previous generations-based not only on wealth but, for example, on light or brown skin color and private preparatory schooling-are passed on generationally.