Dear Pastor,

On May 5, 2006, I was randomly making calls for my oldest brother for a job as a machine operator. He was working for a company for 15 years, but he was fired because he wanted to excel more in the business and they wanted him to have the same position he had when he started. He asked me to make a few calls to printing companies to see if they had any vacancy. I randomly selected a company and I was speaking to the operating manager about my brother, but unfortunately, he was not hiring for what my brother wanted. I asked if he was hiring women and he asked what I can do. I told him what I can do and he recommended his wife to me. He gave me her telephone number to call her and his email address to email a resume to him, so that he could pass on my resume to his wife.

I didn't get the chance to call her but I sent my resume and application letter to his email. I guess he passed it on to her because she called me and set up an interview on May 15, 2006 at a particular business place at noon. I was even asked to take my N.I.S, T.R.N and a passport size picture. On May 15, 2006, I did my assessment test in accounts. I left school at 11:30 a.m. and went for the interview. I arrived at noon on the dot. His wife had a meeting so I waited. A young lady came and called me and told me where the interview would take place. I said good afternoon as I entered the room to the person who conducted the interview. She asked how I came to know her husband. I told her for the second time how I spoke with him.

She told me that she was not going to waste my time because as I entered the room she decided that she was not going to hire me because I am bleaching my face. However, I had all the qualifications that was needed for the job. I told her that I am not bleaching. I am using a cream to lighten the spots in my face. I offered to take the product I was using to show her but she denied me. I felt so ashamed because I was not incompetent where the job is concerned. She dis- criminated against me because I use products on my face and she does not. Her words were that she is naturalist.

I am not upset because she didn't hire me but I didn't get the chance to fail myself. I was put down because of what I do to myself. It is like a Rastafarian; they do not eat pork so I must not talk or deal with them. How is this little country going to grow, when your people are fighting against each other? They look at people different because of your outside appearance and then judge them, not looking at the inside before they pass their judgement. Jamaica is not going to be a better place with such people. That is why the killing, stealing and hatred will continue to go on in Jamaica.

D. P., St. Andrew, Jamaica

Dear D. P.,

Its unfortunate that you did not get the job, although you are qualified. The person who interviewed you should have explained to you that there are products on the market that people are using to take off spots but they are unaware that by using these products, they are indeed bleaching.

May I suggest that you put that disappointment behind and go to a dermatologist and discuss with him/her the spots you have on your body and tell him/her the type of products you were using and the embarrassment you faced at the interview.

I do pray that God will provide a job for you very soon.

Pastor