Mr. Ramchand fully acknowledges that his observations are based on just a few days' stay on the island. But, they are nonetheless hard to ignore. He knows well the dynamics of colonialism as it has impacted the West Indian islands. And, he says, notwithstanding local protestations to the contrary, and despite some distinguishing characteristics, there are significant parallels here. It's still the case that the economy is not controlled by the people of the country.
Capital is the new imperial power.
They don't have literature in heaven. Literature in this part of the world must have a social function, he added. Emerging writers are choosing ideology. For some of the younger writers who no longer believe in nation, a new kind of alliance is being sought with people like themselves in other places. A woman writer in Jamaica may feel more alliance with women in New York.