King Charles should perform duties with conscience

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This is an open letter to King Charles III.

Great Britain colonised this small island in the 17th century, so we then became part of the British Empire your mother and those before her governed. However, we did go on to gain our independence in 1962, but Queen Elizabeth remained the head until her death.

I am sure you are aware, the act of colonising Jamaica and other countries added to the enormous wealth of the British Empire. Sugar cane became important because it was the leading commodity imported to Britain, at that time. Also easily plundered were indigo and cocoa.

It is also important to note that in the process of producing goods to enrich the British Empire, my ancestors were brutalised. A great number were killed for trying to establish some rights. Their necessary and courageous acts were deemed rebellious, so to counter them, the Crown sanctioned any means whatsoever to curb them.

Atrocities were quite easily applied because blacks, like me, were not regarded as humans. Without a doubt, slavery and the use of black people as animals is one part of history that the British monarchy would now like everyone to forget.

Sadly, this cannot be done, for unlike the fairy-tale life your mother and those before you enjoyed, it remains clear.

I was born in rural Jamaica in the 1950s in absolute poverty. As an immigrant, I haven’t, until now, found the courage to tell anyone that I’m not proud of the royal family, or your ancestors.

After all, sponsorship of the Crown only brought my ancestors the loss of many of their cultural norms, introduction of new diseases, environmental degradation and severe human- rights violations.

I feel most would understand that this can never, ever be seen as anything like a fair exchange. Of course, the world is different now. Out of the rubble, the countless sacrifices and courage of my parents brought me to your country 57 years ago.

At first, we struggled with poor housing and racism so vile, it led to my being denied many opportunities and privileges that white people appeared entitled to. Still, I pushed forward and managed to realise some of the dreams my parents had for me, and the ones I created for myself.

I’m sure you will do your duty, as your late mother has done; but I beg you, please go one step further and do your duty with conscience and compassion. In that way, the people you govern all over the world will come to both acknowledge and respect you as a great king, and this will make all the difference.

Good luck.

MERRIS LONGSTAFF