Asians in Africa Had an Englishman written as Mr 1 .,, N aiPaul
has written about Kenya and enyan Africans it is not difficult to imagine ti_oe abuse, scorn and contempt that would ;lave come his way. As a popular writer of Indian origin and Caribbean birth Mr NalPaul, I don't doubt, will be safe from such assault. Nevertheless, as a writer, he ould take the trouble to discover why the Indians in East Africa were so loathed by the African. Mr Naipaul infers that the African Is congenitally thick. Thick or not he had the nous to distinguish between his symbolic °PPressor (the European) and his actual
pressor (the Indian). During my time in enYa. I was rarely anything but appalled by
treatment meted out by Indians to tA.fricans—a monstrous mixture of exploita;On, arrogance, disdain and blustering inuIfference. It is hardly surprising that the
African relishes his chance to settle old scores. I don't condone it, but I do understand it. And as a man of sensitivity and intellectual distinction—so should Mr Naipaul.
R. A. Homan
4 South Parade, Penzance, Cornwall
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