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Barbadians – A Proud People

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Submitted by Andrew Nehaul

.

.The Barbados Coat of Arms bears the words ”Pride and Industry” but what exactly can we say about Bajans. They are proud of their country but don’t really show it like others do.

In most developed countries, one can see their citizens bearing their flag with pride on their cars, houses, shirts and other possessions – but not in Barbados. Let us change this by feeling better about ourselves and our Country.  This beautiful  flag is comprised of a deep blue, golden yellow and striking black. Together they blend to make a fantastic hue which as a Bajan emanates into an inward glow which can only be the pride to which the Coat of Arms refers.  This is especially so when one is away from Barbados!

Politics aside for a moment. Let us put BARBADOS first! Let us be Barbadians and then political pundits second or third.

Why not let us do the following:

  • Let every house, dwelling, apartment, office, abode etc. fly the Barbados flag proudly. Up at sunrise and down at sunset
  • Every car should bear a bumper sticker with the flag and a text “Proud to be Bajan”
  • Print tee shirts with a LARGE flag and the word Barbados using the current BTA Logo
  • Every website with the domain .bb and official websites should carry the Barbados flag on the index page. There is none today even on http://www.visitbarbados.org/ or http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/  A part of the flag is found on http://www.foreign.gov.bb/
  • Every product produced in Barbados should have the flag and words “Produced in Barbados”
  • Arrivals at Grantley Adams Airport and the port should be greeted by a large Barbados flag (in good repair)
  • The Police and fire service uniforms should carry a small flag
  • The flag is and should be the property of ALL Bajans.  Both externally and in their hearts
  • It should be illegal to burn the flag. It should not be denigrated  or desecrated

Barbados has never had a catastrophe therefore the feeling of rallying around the flag has never been in question but do we really need this to put Barbados first? I think not.

Let the blue, yellow and black fly freely over these 166 sq. miles.

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110 responses to “Barbadians – A Proud People”

  1. ac Avatar
    ac

    You know what! tomorrow is the 4th of July in america Independence Day .The economy is in a nose dive. However with all the negative the people going to be ultra patriotic with they RED ! WHITE and BLUE! lettimg the whole worldknow that come hell or high water politician or no politician they love and respect their country. With the statue of Liberty leading the charge! .

  2. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    Man what shoot what damn messenger what??!! You see somebody with a gun…?

    And nobody is saying to ‘DO NOTHING’, the call is indeed to DO SOMETHING other than talk BS….. and believe the bushman, flying flags and singing patriotic songs is NOT doing something, that is BS!!

    The situation is quite serious, only SERIOUS, DRASTIC measures now have any chance of dampening the coming impacts, this is not time for Crumpton Street analysts who never lived in the REAL Bajan world anyway – and who don’t even PHYSICALLY live here now, to be telling us to feel good and smile for the tourists.

    Get real David, YOU know of the real problems that need to be addressed. What wave what flag what??!!

  3. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    OK David I got muh gun…….POW POW POW

  4. just only asking Avatar
    just only asking

    @David

    The union has shown leadership, it has submitted its proposal and when the gove say it cant afford an increase it will inform its members. The same thing happened when we had the septem 11 incidence. Submissions were submitted and there was a wage freeze.

    This is the union forte and i will trust it. I will bet you that there will soon be an announcement that in light of the prevailing conditions, there will be no increase in wages or salaries.

  5. amusing Avatar
    amusing

    @Moneybrain

    i’m not ian bourne… so just a partial eclipse not a full one

  6. ac Avatar
    ac

    Now instead of complaining! Go do something good for the country.it makes for being a good patriotic.

  7. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    Well Mr. Nehaul, we all can start pretending to feel good about ourselves and our country. Genuinely feeling good, however, will need a bit more – too much discrimination, too much marginalization, too much victimization, too much hate, too much…

  8. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    @David who wrote:
    Bajans we are so educated but we just don’t get it, even the Guyanese in Barbados go out and support its national team against Barbados with Guyanese flags and Bajan flags can hardly be seen.
    ==================
    I can see the need for patriotism and flags in competitive sports between countries, but I fail to see what placing a flag on every house and every license plate would really achieve in Barbados.

  9. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    @ac
    I guess you’re not going to accept that a mere vote does not mean you are chartering your own course, so continue smartly.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    In Barbados we articulate as if there is despair to the point we are in a very dark-place.

    Andrew’s post does not suggest that using flags is the be all and and all.

    It is just another initiative to mount along with all the other things we have to do.

    See this HC envy shinning through a ready?

    Boy!

  11. ac Avatar
    ac

    zack who ever says that voting alone completes the whole . We are all in this together! “I will carry on smartly” trying to make a difference and hopefully others would do th same.
    Never once in your comments did you bring anything of real value which would of benefit to the country.

  12. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    I really believe that Andrew Nehaul means well, but his suggestions, apart from being against the law, is symptomatic of what is wrong in this country. Rather than do something meaningful to arrest the decline in this country, someone comes up with some symbolic imported nonsense. Because people in some countries drive around flying flags, we should not copy that practice. By now Barbadians should realise that our problems come from copying usually negative things that we see from other countries. It would have been good if Mr. Nehaul came up with something home grown. Maybe, we should take Islandgal 246 suggestions (two cents worth) seriously.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    Have you ever stood on a podium before a large crowd and all present have to listen to your national anthem played?

    If you have can you describe the feeling which more oft than not swells in the bosom of those receiving the honour?

    People will rally around a symbol which affords them the opportunity to evince pride and or make an emotional connection to their country.

    We have to begin somewhere, a flag at what it means is only part of the strategy.

  14. ac Avatar
    ac

    BTW to all naysayers . Try living in a country like Jamaica! but yuh see how dem like dey country. even wid de jerk chicken and fried dumplin.and de corrupt politician. anywhere in de world yuh would see a jamaican flying de flag pon he car or wearing de bandetta. I”ll bet some bajans recognize the Jamaican flag more easily than barbados flag. Wait de buju guy got 10 years in de slammer.

  15. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Perhaps those Bajans who live overseas probably display more tangible acts of patriotism towards Barbados moreso than many at home. We may live or have lived abroad, held passports in those respective countries, served in those countries armed forces,swear allegiance to their rulers, but for sure , those countries might have had our Bodies, but never our Hearts.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @ac

    Never a truer statement have you written, it is not uncommon to see Bajans wearing Jamaican colours.

  17. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    But one would have thought that the new Anglican Hymnal of the Province of the West Indies would have included the National Anthems of the respective countries.
    Do you know that many Barbadians,including myself, are unable to sing the words of our national anthem without a song sheet, but can remember every word of God Save Our Gracious Queen?,and this has noting to do with patriotism. The same goes for Trinidad & Tobago national anthem, the original of which was presented to school to learn as the possible National Anthem of the short live Federation of the West Indies.

  18. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    @ac | July 3, 2011 at 9:15 PM | Never once in your comments did you bring anything of real value which would of benefit to the country.
    =============
    You’re entitled to your opinion.

  19. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    Why so sensitive? suddenly have problems with robust debate?

    What HC envy would that be?

    When we spend hundreds of millions on our education system each year, how is it envy to expect serious and meaningful solutions to come from those who benefited from the VERY best that our taxes had to offer…?

    How come so many of our best and brightest choose to pontificate to us from over and away? At least the Bushman understands GP’s position….don’t mind bushie would still pull his leg a bit.

  20. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Not sentitive at all but does anyone here know Andrew’s circumstance?

    He has made suggestions and what commonsense says, if we want to engage in constructive debate, is that we should ofter suggestions on how what he has put on the table can be improved upon.

  21. ac Avatar
    ac

    @colonel Buggy

    Your comments spoken with much pride and repect and love of country. You are true patriot. I salute you.

  22. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    “….If you have can you describe the feeling which more oft than not swells in the bosom of those receiving the honour?”
    *************************************
    Few countries have experienced this honour more than has Jamaica…..and it is indeed impressive. BUT given the priorities of issues faced, and in light of the current scheme of things…..would it be your primary, or even major, focus…?

  23. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    Speaking of Jamaicans and their patriotism, they have alot to be proud of in terms of their entertainers and athletes, but they also have alot to be shameful of in terms of political corruption, drugs lords, and murders. So to what do you attribute their successes and failures?

  24. David Avatar
    David

    The mistake some are making here is to equate patriotism with nationalism. It is simply a love of ones country. Is there any thing wrong with it?

    if you love your wife hold her hands sometimes in public.

    If you love your country wave a flag sometimes.

  25. Moneybrain Avatar
    Moneybrain

    @Bush Tea
    While I appreciate your point of view, the reality is that most companies, RE and other inanimate objects are for sale at a price. Surely utilities are regulated by the GOB and if some foreign company can pay a high price, offer equal or better service at stipulated prices then why do said organisations have to be owned locally. If it is such a great business then such a widely owned company would have been retained by locals. Maybe wunna should nationalise everything and become know as” lil Cuba”.

    What part of FREE MARKET dont you like or understand? Are you Bajan, cause most Bajns love FREE anything! I know you will think I am just another Crumpton St Analyst BUT indeed I am far more dangerous than that because I am successful in the real world not just academic.I do agree with your point about Flying flags etc. However, in my case it maybe true that I dont live in Bdos but that does not suggest that my contribution can not be productive.

    So BT I have made several points on the processes to be followed in achieving a better strategic plan for the tourist product in the 2 areas of this blog, what have you recommended of substance?

  26. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Fair enough David.

    Bush Tea spent years railing against CSME on the grounds that it was a simple minded and ill conceived straw at which our so called ‘leaders’ were clutching like drowning men.
    As a result we spent many years, millions of dollars, and LOTS of legal and other resources that SHOULD have been directed at improving productivity, rewarding creativity, defining national goals and identifying required talents, in support of this idiocy.

    Now with multiple CRISES on our doorstep we hear calls to go after Chinese and Brazilian tourists, and now to fly national flags…. and you vex because BT critical?

    How much more time and money we got to waste?

    We need a National VISION
    We need a common PLAN for Barbados
    We need supporting ground rules for everyone living here
    We need to be PRODUCTIVE and we need to REWARD productivity and efficiency
    We need LEADERSHIP.

    ……Well – guess we’re DEAD!!

  27. ac Avatar
    ac

    @money brain
    BT is the proverbial pessimist who is awaiting the almighty fury of “Granny”.

    @Zack
    There success is in part by wanting to do something which would be of benefit to the country which in it self is patriotic. Failures does not mean being unpatriotic. However “FAILING”” to do anything is unpatriotic.

  28. ac Avatar
    ac

    @BT
    Now that you have submitted your proposal for “Change” How do you implement such changes.
    When do i expect to see such changes in place.

  29. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ moneybrain
    I am far more dangerous than that because I am successful in the real world not just academic
    *******************************************
    What is success?
    Do you mean that you have been able to accumulate a few dollars in somebody else’s country? That does not sound very difficult to do -for someone willing to sell anything for the highest dollar.
    Do you have more than Dudus Coke had?
    ….more than Sanford?
    …Parris?

    How about the kind of success that contributes to the development of other less fortunate citizens?
    How about coming home with a plan like Barrow did, and dedicating your life to national development?

    How about focusing that ‘real world success’ on Bajan national development…

  30. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    @BT
    We are encouraging young educated people to be entrepreneurs, but naturally the Barbados market is too small and competitive for all those young people to operate viably. What would you suggest if not the Caricom Single Market.

  31. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    @ac who wrote:
    @Zack
    There success is in part by wanting to do something which would be of benefit to the country which in it self is patriotic. Failures does not mean being unpatriotic. However “FAILING”” to do anything is unpatriotic.
    ==============
    All this talk about patriotic and unpatriotic is pure gibberish. If a person has a talent he driven to use it for his own benefit and glory first and foremost, love of country is a natural second. The Jamaican is no different from the Barbadian in this regard. As Barbadians we do celebrate the shining stars we have, but because of our size we’ll never produce the number of stars that Jamaica would.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @just only asking

    Have no time for the union. Did you read Trotman commending LIME for its internship program?

    This is the same LIME which sent home people without getting agreement from the BWU. Same LIME that shut down the call centres in Barbados with the BWU not being able to do jack?

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/no-gouging/

  33. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David
    Do not worry about or take Sir Roy seriously about anything that he says, and this applies to the entire BWU under his leadership. That union also praised Chefette as a good employer after they concluded their last agreement. I was forced to ask, why would a union praise an employer with 600 employees but with less than 40 being permanently employed.

  34. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    I just woke up from a nightmare! In my nightmare, the name of this island was changed from Barbados to barracoon and we were waving flags and singing “patriotic” songs like … “Umbrella” by Rihanna . Am I really awake?!! Somebody please tell me it was just a bad dream!

  35. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Ping Pong ……WAKE UP WAKE UP…yuh hallucinating! Lemme get some cold water to throw pon yuh. WAKE UP! LOLLL Man get outta bed and walk bout yuh gine feel bettea!

  36. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Comrade Caswell Franklyn

    Maybe You give good reason for Bajan to love flag …no? Not for me to say, but maybe you have good reason …

  37. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @BT / Moneybrain, Enjoy both of your regular contribution.S, not to take anything form you Money, but gotta say though @ BT’s comment >
    ”What is success?
    Do you mean that you have been able to accumulate a few dollars in somebody else’s country? That does not sound very difficult to do -for someone willing to sell anything for the highest dollar.
    Do you have more than Dudus Coke had?
    ….more than Sanford?
    …Parris?”

    —————-

    Spanked straight through the covers, not a man moved.

  38. just only asking Avatar
    just only asking

    @David

    I know the social and historical signifance of the union movement which emereged after the Moyne’s Comiinision. The Trade Union movement is an instittuion that contributed to the upliftment of workers in Barbados and the region.

    If you want to take me on of the social and historical signifcance of the trade union movement, let us start the discussion, but I wont allow you to make a bland statment that you dont have any time for the union, I hope that you are not implying that it has no relevance to Barbadian sociiety, Had not for the trade union movement, my parents and grand parents would perhaps be around the plantations working for substandard wages.

    By the way, political parties emeged out of the trade union movement, perhaps Caswell can enlighten you about that, So do you have uses for poliitcal parties?

  39. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @David et al re CF ”By now Barbadians should realise that our problems come from copying usually negative things that we see from other countries”

    ———–
    True words at the root of the issue. How we define ourselves comes from more than a flag. Yes, at a marketing level you create a symnolic stance and move from there.

    But after all these years and much accomplished, including Barbadians who have gone abroad and done very well (I also could go overseas and get a decent job tomorrow, based on my qualifications), there should be more than just a flag to make us rally.

    As Caswell said, we adopt silly ways, such as that stupid dropped pants foolishness from US a few years back.

    The failing there is a lack of ‘real’ education, past the sheer academics. Pride is based on behaviours and discipline. That comes from our homes and schools. Telling our youngsters how to behave and not disgrace themselves, teaching them values like work and respect.

    I disagree that a flag alone can bring this about, although I do not disagree that it would be prideful to see ones flag on travels.

    On an aside, Crumpton Street produced those who excelled and those who did not, just as any school. I therefore hold no brief for nor against that institution, yes I went there also. Contrary to some, I am not a card-carrying, chest-beating Crumptonian, I do think as with any institution, certain values were missing and it fell short in those ways, as with any school having its advantages and disadvantages.

    Remember, a lot who went there were already the ‘top academic achievers’ from the time they entered and some fell through the cracks. That should tell you something.

  40. ac Avatar
    ac

    Look “Flag waving ” only is an outward gesture shown by people as a repect for their country. Peoplewith genuine love for their country see their country foremost and all else secondary . It doesn’t really matter if one is a success or failure .There is a genuine love and respect which supersedes all else . Many people have fought and died out of Love for their country. Patriots are a dying breed and when they go it open the country for who sover will to take over. In some way they are the eyes and ears of a democracy

  41. just only asking Avatar
    just only asking

    @AC and Crusoe

    Well put.

  42. David Avatar
    David

    If the premise Andrew is drawing on that Bajans are a proud lot what does it say about our reluctance to demonstrate outsides to rally the troops?

  43. ac Avatar
    ac

    David Bajans pride can be superficial since politically their allegiance falls heavily to one political party or another . . We do have that “endorsement mentality” wether or not it is reason enough to to proud is another topic. The question really can be divided into two . Are we as a people “PROUD” of our country? Or do we only feel a sense of “”PRIDE when good things are bestowed upon us?

  44. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Good points AC……many are proud of what they have personally achieved, where they went to school , which rung of the ladder their family stand in society, how well their children have done. Love for country is convenient and fickle at times. Yes it is superficial, take for instance when we visit a sister island for the first time. Many I have heard come back laughing saying that the sister island so poor and they don’t have what we have. Do you call that pride? We have forgotten we were in that same place once and can get back there in a blink of an eye. We have become tribal …..It is visible that we are more Parish proud than we are country proud.

  45. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Love for country make sense when put in context … “Love” is blind…!
    Blind people velly good at not seeing elephant when elephant stand in middle of room …no?
    And blind people not find even one person with one eye to lead …no?
    And when even justice blind …people not see proper avenue to proceed with cause …no?
    Blind people easy to deceive, so blind people get lost in flag and country …no?

  46. ac Avatar
    ac

    @island girl’

    Now we are getting to the truth of the matter! It is False pride. that most bajans protray. That is why when the topic of Flag waving is so sensitive to all and sundry!

  47. Austin Avatar
    Austin

    I see where this blog is going and as a loyal bajan I agree with many of the sentiments expressed … However its simply too late, the house slave mentally has made it to the core of who we are…

  48. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    AC ……Shhhhhh….. dem gine deny dat but dat is de trut ! We’ve got a whole lot of False Pride! We now have to learn what true pride is.

  49. fortyacres and a mule Avatar
    fortyacres and a mule

    Caribbean people so called -pride and claim-to-fame.

    Trinidad:
    Oil, Calypso, Trini-style carnival, the Steel pan, a Nobel Laureate, Hasley Crawford, Brian Lara, Ato Boldon, Richard Thompson , Angostura bitters and two Miss Universe.

    Barbados:
    Mount Gaye, literacy rate, cricketers(W.I), Oba, Rhiri, Ryan Braithwaite, breadfruit cukoo and flying fish.

    St. Lucia:
    2 nobel Laureate. Lewis and Walcott. and Darren Sammy.

    St Kitts:
    Kim collins.

    Jamaica:
    crime rate per capita, Reggae(music) and entertainers( Marley, Jimmy cliff, etc) Rastafariansim( religion) , Red stripe, Appleton, Tia Maria, Jerk, Track and field superstars, Bobsleighing, Claude Mckay,Marcus Garvey and two Miss worlds

    Bhamas:
    Sunshine girls

    Antigua:
    Viv Richards , Daniel Bailey, Jamaica Kincaid and Allen Stanford..

    Grenada:
    Kirani James and spice.

  50. Moneybrain Avatar
    Moneybrain

    @Bush Tea
    Excellent points on CSME……….time and money wasting etc Inclined to agree entirely.

    I may have misled you into believing that money is everything or = Success.
    NO it is not, but it is certainly my belief that Bdos is basically a nation of shopkeepers ie entrepreneurs of many types and vocations. This should be the foundation of our ideology. I totally enjoy buying lunch from the lil vans at the beach, coconut vendors etc and seeing their entrepreneurial activity.

    Personally my definition of succes is
    1 having enough money to retire early but really to get the world off my back. In my view this must be accomplished with utmost integrity, which I have done unlike Dudus or Stanford etc. I have made alot less money in my business by not ripping people off, even though I could have easily, like many of my cohort.

    2 My children were raised to be honest and work hard to excel academically, in sports and socially to be comfortable and accepted in diverse communities ie race, class, creed. Indeed, I conducted myself thus in Bim by having friends in the village and in the big wall houses.

    3 My kids are accomplished….son in final 8 Ont Baseball championships twice, gold medalist in swimming in TO, Capt of School Basketball team and holds a high performance Uni degree/ professional qualifications. Daughter provincial baseball championship team, National Champions, Toronto Wrestling gold, joint record (Toronto) with team in 4×400 relay, fastest swim time in 4×100 Medley Swim Ontario, holds Uni degree with Distinction. They both attended the best academic institution available to all gifted exam qualifiers.( better than HC/ QC with 21 Rhodes Scholars and 2 Nobels)

    4 worked closely with my spouse to accomplish this.

    I dont want to bore you folks to death as you surely get my point.

    Bush T, I have coached and mentored youth in life through Baseball and basketball. Canvassed to raise funds for several charitable causes eg Cancer Soc, Heart etc

    Regarding participating in Bajan politics, I must say that would NOT work well because
    1 the corruption has gone so far that I would probably have to be in the position of BENEVOLENT DICTATOR (or some like group a la Singapore) in order to make the level of impact needed and to satisfy my high standards of progress.

    2 old white guys with blue eyes, like myself, are unlikely to impress the sensiblities of the electoral majority. Although many light skin PMs have been favoured ie Tom, David, Owen.

    @Crusoe
    BTs question was indeed excellent BUT I trust you enjoyed the very pointed and civil reply? Please be cognisant that I have been driven through the covers for 4 on many occasions BUT i always appreciated that even the top batsmen are vulnerable to overconfidence at precisely that time eg bowling to Thelston and following up with a off-cutting bouncer which he duly hooked against the turn to longleg’s adequate hands. I would suffer the indignity of perfect 4s all day if I could conjure a prized wicket everytime!

    On the Crumptonian issue you are correct that most of the top talent went in and far too many failed miserably to take the opportunity seriously, I certainly confess. I have been guilty of referring to HC on this blog mainly because I understand that certain posters like to hate Kolij fellas, so it can be useful to draw out the haters. Realistically, many of us had friends and family at Lodge, Combemere, Foundation et al. I must say we sure enjoyed beating them at sports tho.

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