How others see us is sometimes hard to accept. Despite this, what they say when we are not present, can play a significant role in creating reputation and identity. It also determines the tone of any response. In the case of nations, especially small states, it contributes to their perceived place in the world and may affect their ability to make progress.
This is not to suggest that image is more important than substance, or that the view of others is always correct, but to try to describe in what follows, the much less positive light in which the Caribbean is seen than was the case a decade or more ago.
While there are of course many bright spots, speaking to many of those in both North America and Europe who
