After reading the daily newspaper today we were struck by what many of us already know. In fact we have expressed our feelings on this matter as recent as February 26, 2008 when we blogged on the topic, The Hair Debate In Los Barbados. The pictures on the top row represent three out of four young men charged with terrorizing Barbados in recent weeks with a slew of robberies. Of interest is the charge of robbing groups of tourist, and the much publicized daylight robbery in Warrens last week. The two pictures to the right at the bottom show Jason Norville released on bail for causing bodily harm to persons while driving a car and Anthony Charles facing a gun charge.
So why have we highlighted the five gentlemen? It comes down to hair. The recent appointment of Senator Damien Griffith to the Senate of Barbados was hailed by everyone as a good selection. He has always been known as a young articulate gentleman. When he walked into the Upper Chamber with his hair plaited in the cornrow style it absolutely created a furor in Barbados. In our opinion the current debate has overtaken that time when Rihanna walked into Chefette wearing a swim suit top. We understand from Mr. Mathew Farley, who has triggered the debate by expressing his disgust in the press that Senator Griffith should not be allowed to enter the Senate of Barbados with a plaited hairstyle. Many feel that for him to wear a hairstyle which has been made famous by the opposite sex maybe sending mixed signals to our young men. Many conservative Barbadians already suggest that our young men are already confused about their sexuality. Senator Griffith has indicated that he will wear the cornrow hairstyle because the people he represent are inclined to look like him, we think that is what he said.
We said it last week and we will say it again. Senator Griffith you are talking hogwash! The reality of the situation is you are wearing a hairstyle which is the preferred style of many of our young men who make up the criminal minds in our country. That negative perception does not mean that your are not a good person. However as a leader who has been given the honour to represent your country in the highest lawmaking chamber in the country, you need to send a message to the youth, loud and clear. Look at the pictures above and reflect before it is too late.
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