I am very lucky to have many friends from many backgrounds, and they all matter to me. They matter as human beings and all of them slide in and out of focus according to our contact.

I wrote a blog a little while ago which agreed with the BLM campaign and since then I have learned a good deal more. That learning came about quite by chance. Last month in the garden of a lovely condo complex in St Kitts I got into conversation with four friends two of whom were ladies of colour from the USA. Both ladies are lovely to share time with, both mature, both beautiful, both extremely articulate.

The crucial stage of our discussion came when one of the ladies said, “Things are improving, for us in the USA.”

The other, replied, her voice raised “Why should they be improving, why do we need improvement? I’ll tell you why, because we’ve been treated like pieces of shit all my life, and I’m fed up with racism, every minute of every day.”

Her impassioned cry hit me hard, I saw in her anguish, the hurt of a whole life skewered on the horns of racism. I felt then, and I feel now like crying. I hope more people feel like crying, feel moved to do something to turn this ghastly sin of so many generations, What will it take?

“I’m going to vote for Trump.” she said.

After a sharp intake of breath, I implored, “Why, oh Why? You must be crazy!”

“I’m not crazy, another turn with Trump as President and the US will burst into flames and we’ll see real change. It’s the only way, there’s no middle road, the prejudice is too deep, we need to tear up the good old US of A and start again.” She smiled at me, “It’s the only way.”

My mind is blank, I pray she is wrong, I can do no more than weep.