Submitted by William Skinner
“In his presentation, the Prime Minister made mention of a book about the company (Everson R. Elcock and Company), which he said “refutes the bogus mildewed theory that black people are incapable of establishing businesses that grow and prosper beyond the control and by extension, the lifetime of the founder” – Barbados Advocate Wednesday, April 20. 2011
Prime Minister Freundel Stewart was participating in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Everson R Elcock and Company. In my estimation it was one of the most interesting statements made by the Prime Minister. I, on this occasion agree with him.
This “bogus mildewed theory” believe it or not, is found in the arsenal of blacks, who are convinced that we do not support each other. N.E. Wilson, James Tudor, Ricks Supermarkets, Jordans Supermarkets, A1 and Carlton Supermarkets, Nicholls Bakery, Pearson Pharmacy, C.S. Pharmacy, Branckers, Nation Newspapers, Enids , Pink Star, Collins, Barbados Lumber Company, Youngs Sweets Parlor, the current folks at Oistins, and dozens of former and present black businesses, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have always and continue to support each other.
Sometimes we should pause before we buy into destructive propaganda that is consistent with the divide and rule approach, which continues to endanger us as we move forward. Indeed if blacks never supported each other, there will be no: seamstresses, tailors, barbers, vendors, taxi drivers, mini bus operators, private schools, hairdressers, carpenters, lawyers, electricians ,shop keepers, masons , plumbers or any level of black business. I have seen us find Shorty selling ice cream around Bridgetown in the wee hours of the morning. We have supported each other from the Rasta trading around the roundabouts to the calypsonians in the tents. We have seen small business people build homes and enjoy good standards of living form selling puddin’ and souse and sweetbread. From primary school we supported all the folks selling around our schools.
Of course we have some jealousy and bouts of envy but this is not unique to black people. I know of whites, Indians and other non-black Bajans, who have epic disagreements and who fight every day. This is more a simple human condition than any inferior trait of black people. In the field of law we often hear about dishonest black attorneys. We may be shocked to know that there are also dishonest white attorneys. However, they are usually given a one way ticket to some distant land. I think it is called circling the wagon. I am not looking for excuses –just calling it as it is!
As we move toward fifty years of the flag and anthem, we must guard against the crabs in the bucket mentality and realize that within us are our greatest strengths. Unfortunately, we have thirty elected officials, who set such poor examples, that they drive many of us to conclude that we were actually better off under the colonialists. While I cannot endorse such a view, I am quite aware, why such a position still holds some support.
Quite recently, I was perusing one of the daily newspapers, when I saw the advertisements of the dances that we used to call brams decades ago. It dawned on me that some of the organizers , keeping the dances have been doing so for thirty and more years. These dances have now, in some cases, evolved into shop limes and other entertainment packages. It represents a fantastic achievement that these grass root economic and entertainment events, are still vibrant parts of our economic and cultural activities. I asked myself how many hoteliers tell their guests about these gatherings. It then struck me that I did not see whites, Indians or other non-blacks being advertised as organizers of these events. Enough said!
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