The White Man’S “Castes.”
p. 31 · Read in the full issue
An Open Letter Addressed to Mr. Marc T. Greene.
I have read your most interesting and instructive articles in the “P.I.M.” (Aug., 1933) and agree with a lot you say.
The Samoans are a noble race, and deserve sympathy and tolerance to a marked degree; but, Bo, I don’t exactly get your meaning when you state they have been exploited, contaminated and debased by white usurpers.
Your remarks concerning the white woman (many our own country women) in the Tropics has also given me cause for mild protest, but as you state you are “exceedingly touchy” I do not intend to upset your equanimity.
My own wife (from Yonkers, Ann.) has not lost her femininity and her charms and can still be favourably compared with any “cullud pusson.” So also can our numerous feminine neighbours.
Notwithstanding excessive tropical humidity and the arduous duties associated with the feeding of a hungry husband and family, she can still go about her duties singing “The Star Spangled Banner’’ and “Amurica, how I loves ye.”
From your letter, I guess you more or less advocate the mixing of the coloured and white races. Honestly Marc., do you really and truly advo cate this policy? Or is it “sour grapes," or propaganda?
Always remember, there is much controversy and strife in our own glorious country through the thought lessness of our predecessors. We have the colour question to deal with there, and what strife and hate there is in the Southern States. We, or rather our forefathers, exploited the noble red man and I have heard it whispered that certain of our own countrymen, even to-day, are endeavouring to stir up strife in British India.
I am about to publish my first book the knowledge gathered during four teen years’ residence in the Tropics.
It deals much with the “crackpot” religions emanating from America— our glorious homeland—their effect upon the indigenous Pacific native.
Also, chapters are devoted to criticism of journalists who reside in the Pacific for a few days and depart to write articles or books on topics they do not understand.
You might do some of our country men a good turn by advocating that half-caste children should not be brought into this wicked world to be
treated with contempt, and exploited by pure-bred natives and Europeans alike. Did you hear that one of our own countrymen—a religious teacher—has just been sent out of this Group?
Make further inquiries, Bo; for he tried “sympathy, tolerance and love,” as advocated by “Na Vodre,” but the fool picked the wrong sex for the experiment.
Yours till Niagara Falls,
Haroun C. Sulphonal
Formerly of New York.