Monthly Archives: December 2008

Repatriation and Broken Promises

Posted on December 9, 2008 by | 1 Comment
The governors of the Panama Canal Zone,
top : Julan L. Schley, middle: Harry Burgess
images thanks to: pancanal.com
Article from The Panama Tribune
March 2, 1947

In continuing our discussion of the repatriation of Westindians who had labored on the Panama Canal we must bear in mind the fact that many of the points in the workers’ contracts had been violated, particularly with regard to their work hours, wages and overtime promised, medical benefits, and the fact that few workers ever saw their earnings report throughout their experience with the ICC. By the same token, not included in the statistics are the salient facts attached to the U.S. government’s dealings with this large group of people (as opposed to machinery). Continue reading →

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Posted in Panama Canal, West Indian Panamanians

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Repatriation Without Compensation

Posted on December 5, 2008 by | 1 Comment
Above we get a glimpse of a
Silver Roll Disability Relief Check Line
circa 1947.
Image thanks to George W. Westerman.

In a 1912 report prepared by the Isthmian Canal Commission revealed that immigration to the Isthmus of Panama continued in reduction since there were more immigrants than emigrants even though the difference in favor of the former was only of 3,510. In order to meet the demand for unskilled labor at the beginning of this fiscal year, the Agency was forced to bring 941 workers of the small nearby islands recruited by its representative in Barbados. This represented the arrival of the last unskilled labor group to Canal Zone. Continue reading →

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Posted in Silver People of Panama, West Indian Panamanians

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The Barrio

Posted on December 2, 2008 by | 1 Comment
This 1941 four door Pontiac
is similar to Mr. Lawson’s, except
his was a dark, elegant Green.
Image thanks to wikipedia

I sincerely believe that Panama City barrio life during my early childhood in which we lived as a young family until my mother abandoned our home (between 1940 and 1943) was a genuine paradise for all us children. For me and my three-year-old sister, Aminta, interacting with the hordes of Spanish speaking children at our new address of number 29-47 Calle Mariano Arosemena at the corner of “S” Street was a learning experience in community living. Continue reading →

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Posted in Calidonia, West Indian Panamanians

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