2008 has been a difficult year for Jamaicans living in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as they have been left to mourn the death of two women brutally murdered, allegedly by fellow countrymen, and also witnessing one of their young men being sentenced for attempted murder.
As a result of these tragic events, the general TCI public has commenced an unfortunate smear campaign against the actions of Jamaicans, and constantly make reference to their well documented history of violence.
However, as Jamaican Consulate to the TCI Allan Hutchinson explained to The SUN, it is a harsh and unfair label to the law abiding and hard working Jamaicans who live in the TCI.
“First of all, my heartfelt, sympathy goes out to the victims relatives and it is very unfortunate. Every time a life is extinguished whether it is through accident, natural death or tragically it is never ever pleasant.”
“In this case, we have had two Jamaican nationals brutally murdered, and it is alleged that the perpetrators themselves were also Jamaican, and that hurts,” said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson was referring to the murder of Keisha Parnell in late September and more recently, Letetia Barrett who was found dead in her home on December 1. Jamaican mechanic Mark Thompson has since been charged Parnell´s murder while a Jamaican male is a key person of interest in the slaying of Barrett; a knife was used in both killings.
“The point I would like to make is that we have many Jamaicans here who are making a significant contribution to the development of this country, and will continue to do so. What I would like to convey is that if the allegations are true and the perpetrators are indeed Jamaicans, it is not reflective of who we are as a people.”
“Jamaicans are very hard working, resilient, kind and good people, and it is very unfortunate, but we hope that whoever the perpetrators are the justice system will identify them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” said Hutchinson.
Also compounding the situation, it was only last week that 27-year-old Anthony McPherson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder, in the shooting of now paralyzed Kenneth Carter. McPherson is also a Jamaican national.
“We have to find ways to ensure that systems are in place to deal with dispute resolutions, and if people are going through crises, which in both cases (Parnell and Barrett) I understand they were crimes of passion; it means that people are having a difficulty resolving crisis and there should be some type of intervention.”
“We are here, out of our country and if they are having a problem they should find someone to speak to, even it is myself,” said Hutchinson.
Sister of the deceased Keisha Parnell, Celia, despite her tremendous loss, also spoke out against any labeling of Jamaicans, and states that although the situation is unfortunate it does not reflect on the nature of her people.
“To say that all Jamaican men are violent is wrong. There are several local women here who are married or in relationships with Jamaican men for many years, and they can attest that they are some of most loving persons in the world.¨
Anderson Campbell, another Jamaican residing in Provo also told The SUN, “To say all Jamaicans are violent is wrong, there are several Jamaicans here who have never been in any kind of trouble and these two killings, which are very sad, are isolated incidents”.
“I remember just a few short months ago Turks Islanders were cheering with us for Usain Bolt and felt proud with us as Caribbean people to achieve such greatness; and also more recently the Jamaicans held a public fair to donate funds to the TCI Hurricane Relief Fund. So don't let the evil actions of three individuals destroy all the good which we have done here.”
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