The words “Negro” and “Coolie”

Aug 21, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I read recently that the words Negroes and East Indians are being discouraged by ministry and other government agencies.

I understand such words make some Negroes and some East Indians uncomfortable. Sir, here is my plight. I was born in Hunter Street Albouystown in the early 60s and we could not use the word “a Black boy or Indian boy” to my parents, this or that or someone at the door rapping, he or she is Black or Indian. We were taught to say from age three, you must say Negro or East Indian sixty years later, you now telling me that the word Negro or East Indian and you should not use them.

Well Sir, I must comply, however I would like to tell you a story what happened in 1939 when Jack Campbell, a Bookers Director was touring Albion Sugar Estate. He saw some well-painted huts with ventilation with fresh water attached. Mr. Campbell later became Sir Jack Campbell as he walks further down, he saw some dilapidated logies and ranges that were used by the African slaves before 1834, he then asked the overseer the Scottish gentleman “Who lives in those comfortable huts with water, he said the mules. Sir Jack then asks “Who lives in the logies and ranges; the overseer said the Coolie live there. Sir Jack said, “Why do you have the animal living like people and the people living like hogs?” The overseer responds, “Sir, a mule cost eight cents and a coolie is free.” Check Glem Seecharran Bittersweet Sugar Page# 4 Chapter 1.

Let me please remind my readers that the first people to represent the East Indians in 1839/1840 were the freed Negroes. There was a report in India that the East Indians were being treated well, then came another report to the Indian government that the Indians would be in confinement and beaten. The beaten confinement was very touching for the Negroes.

I remember my mother would say to us as boys if you should fall or get sick, the first people to come to your side will be a Negro person, those words live in my blood to this day. When you refer to human being as an N word or a C word or a B word, it demoralises and makes them feel uncomfortable. Those three words should be outlawed and strictly enforced by the authorities within the law, unlike many other laws which are good but not being enforced by the authority. I would like to randomly ask five policemen about a law, I believe three out of five will not know anything about. Let’s give it a try!

Yours truly,

Frank DeAbreu

• Coolie, Frank DeAbreu, Government, Negro, uncomfortable