I have Cayman Status along with a few thousand others here in the Cayman Islands. When I leave and return these islands I receive a ticket placed in my passport with the abbreviation “C/S” scrawled on it. I have a very nice letter signed by the Chairman of the Cayman Islands Protection and Immigration Board congratulating me on becoming a ‘Caymanian’ and a very attractive certificate stating I am a ‘Caymanian’.

However, I am NOT a Caymanian. I have Caymanian STATUS. The general definition of ‘status’ means a) the position of an individual in relation to another or others; social or professional standing; b) high position or standing; prestige; or, c) the standing of a person before the law.

I was very proud to become a ‘Caymanian’. I believed, like the thousand or so other Caymanian status holders, that I was ‘Caymanian’. However, I am not. I believed when someone becomes ‘American’ by status they are ‘Americans’. I was right – they are ‘Americans.’ I believed when someone becomes ‘British’ by status they are ‘British’. I was right – they are ‘British.’ There is no distinction anywhere in law or inferred they are different. The words ‘status holder’ are never used nor do they
appear ANYWHERE!

I have ‘Caymanian STATUS.’ What does that mean? I can do everything a natural born Caymanian can do except be a ‘Caymanian’. There is a difference. I am a SECOND-CLASS Caymanian. I can never become a ‘CAYMANIAN’.

George Town MLA Ellio Solomon very forcibly emphasised my status in the community on Thursday (6) when he discussed his proposed Caymanian only Jobs Bill. He told iNews “people born here and PERHAPS also STATUS holders would be eligible for the positions.”

That proves without a shadow of a doubt I am NOT Caymanian and never will be CAYMANIAN. I walk in this community, not with an umbrella over my head when it rains, but rain or shine there hangs a great big question mark.