Greetings Everyone,

The town hall meeting was informative and engaging. I must say I’m quite taken aback by the extravagant fees being implemented.

If we are seen and recognised as children of the Motherland, and are asked to return, invited to return…with the knowledge that our Ancestors were taken against their will.

Why are we paying to come home, why are we being charged the same amount as people who have no ties, regardless of where we may have originated on the continent?

Why wait an entire 2 years, to qualify for something we already have by birthright ?

Why not issue a standard amount of citizenships each year, if there’s a specific amount of funds alotted to be spent annually for those who wish to come permanently ?

I believe as our Ancestors were removed forcibly, we should NOT, have to pay to come home. Imagine someone breaks into your home,abducts you and your family, then the Government puts out a call for you to return, then says…oh, by the way, if you want to return you’ll have to pay. PLEASE explain this to me.

However, if there must be a fee for whatever reason, it should be minimal, not what we’re being charged.

I feel as if the Caribbean is always left out, or we’re seen an after thought when such matters arise. Yes, Afro-Americans are suffering, yes they’ve been enslaved, but so have we. While I bare no resentment to our American sisters or brothers. The fact remains, that in the Caribbean, mainly because we’re small Island states, our economic climate does not afford us the same leverage as those from North America, UK etc.

Thereby making this an almost impossible achievement for most of us.

Hence, there needs to be some form of mechanism put in place, which allows us the same access, and a more level field to ensure inclusion of Caribbean Diasporians.