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Election Day in St. George North

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Today the electorate of St. George North will vote for a member of parliament to fill the vacancy created by the ‘retirement’ of Gline Clarke. The blogmaster’s assessment is that it will be a straight contest between Floyd Reifer (DLP) and Toni Moore (BLP). Of the so-called third parties Grenville Phillips should retain third option in the number count. We can debate if Barbadians are ready for a third party or is this a case of the quality of the options presented. The blogmaster respectfully suggest the latter.

The result of the election will answer a few questions for political pundits.

  • Has the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) regain its standing as the credible alternative in the eyes of voters?
  • Despite managing the affairs of state in the most challenging period post independence, will the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) be able to convince the SGN electorate that it is the most competent to govern at this time?
  • Will Grenville Phillips increase his penetration of support in the constituency to forge the way for third parties in the future?
  • How large will the protest vote be which has been fomenting in a climate of austerity for the last 3 years?
  • Has the last 90 days of campaigning confirm the urgent need for electoral reform in Barbados?

So far by-election activities has been largely peaceful in keeping with Bajan tradition. Let us continue to make the country proud by delivering an uneventful event. The blogmaster’s vote will be cast for David Walrond, the agriculturist and community practitioner.

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895 responses to “Election Day in St. George North”

  1. Walter Blackman Avatar
    Walter Blackman

    Donna
    November 15, 2020 10:33 PM

    “The Ovetseas Bajan Condition
    Tell them anything and they speak of remittances forgetting that Bajans too send money to where they live.
    Ask Cuhdear Bajan. Ask my brother who will soon be joining the list of people I see EVERY BLASTED DAY IN THE WESTERN UNION LINES.”

    Donna,
    It is true that Barbadians at home send money and merchandise to Barbadians living overseas. Empathy and support are shown on both sides.
    Remittances sent from Barbadians overseas – Money and merchandise sent overseas to Barbadians = Net remittances.
    Net remittances are significant, and assist Barbados greatly.
    That is not an overseas Bajan condition. It is a fact.

  2. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    As many as 500 employees from Drainage Division were retrenched by the previous Freundel Stuart led DLP administration, on December 31, 2013.

  3. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    A govt that was elected having no significant plans or remdy for barbados economic problems
    Now hides behind COVID as a defense for doing nothing
    If memory serves correct past Govt had to deal with the 2008 global meltdown and the Ebola health crisis
    Past govt was not given a pass as reason why the economy was not reviving
    More than that much of the oppositionsition clarion calls was those of doom and doom
    Presently this govt faced with an worsening of the economy has used theatrics and optics via media as a way forward towards solutions
    It is amazing how the blp operatives now finding themselves caught between party and country takes a political posture of govt right or wrong
    Absent of a vibrant opposition the clarion call of doom and gloom which govt when in opposition had spoken of has now reached every household in barbados
    A clarion call that has bite govt in the arse

  4. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    Each time we seem to have an informative, lively discussion going , these silly positions about who living overseas and who living on the rock emerge.
    I personally realized that I was starting to get into it and then my grandson told me to just stop it. In his own words: Gramps it is being stupid.
    I have told all my friends who are retired and enjoying themselves back home that their quality of life is superior. I personally don’t measure our island state by what it doesn’t have but by what it has achieved with very little.
    However, I hope we can all move away from this living there or here nonsense. Like my grandson says: Gramps it is being stupid.
    Peace

  5. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    Wuh loss. Mariposa gone an loss another one.

    Georgie resigned from the DEMS. Man at least got some sense. Has realised that the ghosts of gvoernment past is haunting the party to the point of irrelevance.

    DEMS falling apart.

  6. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Mariposa

    In any developed country if unemployment was at 40 per cent there would be daily riots. In Barbados we thank Heavens for small mercies. It could have been 99 per cent, according to this reasoning.
    Instead of giving the family-owned, badly managed hotel sector a Bds$300m bailout, employ some of those unemployed young people to clear the trenches and install proper drainage systems.
    Our leading economists, retired and active (Frank Alleyne, DeLisle Worrell, et al) have gone in to purdah, while the nation suffers. But ordinary people do not know they are suffering needlessly because they are badly informed by the lack of quality public debate. Poor information leads to poor decision-making.

    .

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @Crusoe

    There will be many more to send a strong message to the party that Verla is not the one. The situation will test her mettle. We will see if she can survive it.

  8. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    DonnaNovember 16, 2020 7:43 AM But if he surrounds himself with the old corrupt guard, chances are he will be tainted. The only advice they can give is bad advice. One must keep away from bad company.Verla Depeiza seems incapable of keeping them at bay. Therefore the DLP is doomed for the foreseeable future.

    You are spot on. I think you will enjoy the reference!

    No one will vote for the 2018 DEMS. Bajans have seen the last of them. Remember how they left Stuart alone to tek the lashes on CBC election night? Could not even stand up and take their licks like men.

  9. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    Hal, leading economists, retired and active (Frank Alleyne, DeLisle Worrell,

    Who fool you? DeLisle Worrell a leading economist? The one who led the Central Bank while Stuart and Sinckler fumbled?

    Really?

    You and I surely have different yardsticks.

  10. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    DavidNovember 16, 2020 12:12 PM

    No David. We will see if the party can survive it. Now is the time for a new party to take over the opposition.

    There is absolutely no one in the former DLP capable of running the country.

    Grenville needs to plan proper strategy, the opportunity is there. He needs to source ten good people to bolster whom he has.

  11. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Crusoe

    We may have differences of opinion, but we do not have to be rude. I do not share Dr Worrell’s economic opinions, nor for that matter any of the dominant economists in Barbados, but that does not mean there are not qualified.
    I often say on BU why I object to their views. I will like to hear some of yours. Who are the top economists in Barbados?

  12. Walter Blackman Avatar
    Walter Blackman

    There is minor related point I would like to make.

    The last time I was in Barbados, I went to the port to “clear” two barrels. Unfortunately for me, the customs department was on a “go-slow” and I had to spend two days (from early morning until evening) at the port before I got the barrels out. It was an extremely frustrating experience.

    Since COVID – 19 struck, I recall reading in one of the newspapers that barrels were piling up at the port. I suspect that the situation has been “normalized” at this point.

    The first post-covid Christmas season is upon us and most likely hundreds of barrels will be arriving daily. I hope that the authorities have devised a method to clear these barrels as quickly as practicality would allow so as to minimize the level of frustration experienced by the intended recipients.

  13. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    George Pilgrim has parted ways with the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
    Barbados TODAY has confirmed that Pilgrim, a former general secretary, has handed in his resignation.
    Back in September, Pilgrim was defeated by Verla De Peiza as he made a bid to be elected president.
    Pilgrim’s departure comes after Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced last weekend that former DLP members George Connelly and Rodney Grant had joined the ruling Barbados Labour Party….(Quote)

  14. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    George Rodney Connolly

    If this was a garbage sale i would be tempted to say Mia like people junk
    But since it isnt i dare to say that she likes thieves
    Not my thoughts but just a reminder to all and sundry that Mia said the dlp was a party of thieves
    Who next maybe Donville Inniss to join the party
    Hooray
    What a picture
    couldn’t make this s.hhit up
    Only in Barbados

  15. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    There are no top economist in Barbados
    Mia made that much clear during the default process
    As a matter of fact Mia said that she had searched the Carribbean for economist who could advice govt on barbados economy and she found none
    Hence her rationale for hiring White Oaks and a others who sit in her cabinet and draw top dollar while the economy sputters and spins out of control
    Meanwhile they dither and yawn and pound the computer

  16. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Mariposa

    It is a disgrace. If Pilgrim was unhappy with the direction of leadership, what he should do is withdraw from leadership bids and remain a source that the leader can lean on if necessary.
    If he was only interested in pushing himself, then he would accept any offer to join a rival party, if any, or leave politics al together. Reminders here of Haynes and Mascoll.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    You such a stranger to the truth.

    https://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/dr-mascoll-white-oak-right-job

  18. David Avatar
    David

    As discussed with Pacha this morning there will be more resignations IF Verla does not resign.

    It will end in tears.

  19. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    The people want to suffer, when ya deny what’s in front of you and refuse to address it, if they would pull their heads out of the sand and FACE REALITY…and STAND UP AGAINST THESE USELESS THIEVES IN THE PARLIAMENT…they won’t suffer 2/3rd as much, won’t suffer at all. DBLP have deliberately UNDERDEVELOPED THE ISLAND and continue to significantly and in collusion, systematically REDUCE PROGRESS for the people…glad someone has the intelligence and savvy to EXPOSE ALL OF THEM..

    “How some Caribbean politicians underdeveloped their countries. Afra Raymond
    thank you for standing up against corruption. Any Caribbean country impacted by corruption impacts all of us, Haiti and Guyana are prime examples.”

    https://youtu.be/O6klV4lbWRs

  20. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Hal this is not unheard of
    When leadership changes those who had played major roles in the party best years become disenchanted for what ever reason
    Now what remains to be seen is where Verla strengths lies
    If she resigns she would confirm the image being portrayed as weakness
    Her best shot is to stay and build the party from ground level up
    The worst of the defection is over with those gone she would have a free had to rebuild and reorganize the party the way she sees fit
    Not an easy task but it can be done
    If some of the old hands want to take flight let them
    Time heal old wounds
    In meanwhile bridgetown is falling down

  21. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Mariposa

    She must dance to her own beat. Do not try to out talk Mia on the platform, as @William says, build constituency/branches, bring in new blood, distribute portfolios, map a direction for the party and the nation, and establish/re-establish the party’s academy to bring on the youths and re-invigorate the overseas parties. In the meantime, she has to take the party with her.
    She has two years to get it right.

  22. Walter Blackman Avatar
    Walter Blackman

    Some “Opposition” politicians on BU have been waging the fight against the government on an hourly basis. They are all persons of impeccable character, highly intelligent, and firmly believe that they have all of the answers needed to solve the problems that confront Barbados and Barbadians. They have identified every misstep made by the government. Some real, some imagined.

    They have exhibited excellent oratorical and leadership skills. They have formed coalitions right before our eyes, and this is proof that their nascent organizational skills can be quickly developed.

    They have impressed upon our minds that the future of our country is at stake. Now is the right time for them to get rid of their BU training wheels and carry their convincing arguments on behalf of the people, to the people, for the people.

    The official opposition and other opposition parties are floundering.
    Now is the right time for us to give the BU opposition politicians our encouragement and support. Let me be the first to step forward and start the ball rolling.

  23. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Hal the bat is in her hand not an easy wicket
    I wish her well

  24. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    I am still waiting to hear if Arsenal FC or the owners of Liverpool One Shopping Centre are public companies?🤣🤣🤣#wuhwunnaknowboutme

  25. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @ac
    “Who next maybe Donville Inniss to join the party” [quote]
    Keep wishing for the impossible. Your party cannot get that load off its image.
    He is now called Dumbo in several circles, for HE IS the “elephant in the room”.
    Your party went and fked with the wrong people. Payback, like Karma, can be a bih. Arrogance? That which you quickly saw in the B’s, but were totally blind to in the D’s. Like your recently found knowledge of Debt.
    There is a greater difference between Anglican and Catholic leaders, than between BLP and DLP politicians. It is their collective followers who seem to think a difference exists.
    The political trough awaits.

  26. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Northern yes you quote me right
    about Donville joining the BLp
    One can easily say from her past utterances about the dlp and her calling them a party of thieves
    Her quickness to embraced past members of the “thieving” party speaks to her character and also reflects a mirror image of a person whose interest in victories would not hesitate to scarp the bottom of the barrell
    Hence by observation of her behavior which has a propensity to lie and win by any means necessary
    I can say that if Donville Innis appearance on the ticket meant a win for the party she would not hesitate to use him
    That is the kind of image she is now projecting
    If u can live with such a mirror image fine
    Also take note that the image of the dlp which u said did not speak well of the dlp party being called a party of thieves is reason why the party has taken a new direction to rebuild its image with new faces
    However while the old faces take flight in refuge for the BLP you have decided to open mouth criticize the dlp gloat about the party failures but fail to see that Mia has taken some of the “thieves ” under her wing
    Wuh loss couldnt make this s.hit up
    One mans junk is becoming another mans treasure
    Only in barbados

  27. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    “George Rodney Connolly

    If this was a garbage sale i would be tempted to say Mia like people junk.”

    “Wuh loss couldnt make this s.hit up
    One mans junk is becoming another mans treasure”

    I like clever writing. If you continue like this, you will move Miller out of his spot.

  28. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @ac
    “I can say that if Donville Innis appearance on the ticket meant a win for the party…….”
    but you know this is NOT happening.
    MAM could give a hoot about the defectors, she is only interested in the image they create, rats off a sinking ship.
    And IMAGE is your party’s challenge.
    There is nothing for me to gloat about….I understand the pendulum swing. It happens in my country too.
    As Mr Lewis use to tell the people on TV, ‘if you haven’t got a ticket, you haven’t got a chance’. Right now, you need a ticket.

  29. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    I came across an Angela Cox on Facebook making the very same comments (verbatim) made by Mariposa. Plagiarism or Mariposa is AC?🤣🤣

  30. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Dem ain’t even got the wherewithal to buy or beg fuh de ticket.🤣🤣🤣

  31. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    One of the advantages of not having proper public discussions about policy is that voters, such as those in St George North, can miss a trick and vote for their own oppression.
    It creates a field day for the foul-mouthed, brain dead and simply vulgar to pontificate. Your arguments are sound, including those about infrastructural developments.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    NEVER TRUER WORDS.

  32. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Northern
    We all see what we want to see
    However while u see a sinking ship i see a ship whose captain found it necessary to get rid of the excess baggage that was weighing the ship down and Mia happily threw out her big net and hauled them in
    I still counting Donville to be in the running for the blp come 2023

  33. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Hal Austin is no policy expert. He does not even understand land acquisition. An egotist masquerading as an expert because he lives aforeign.

  34. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    This may sound strange to those who only started following politics last week:
    Tom Adams was not initially accepted by some in the BLP. Even after he became the leader he used to be left out of social gatherings organized by his parliamentary colleagues
    Branford Taitt once challenged Errol Barrow
    Erskine Sandiford was not the chosen one. Luckily for him Cammie Tudor got him to the Governor General ( according to sources in the DLP)
    Owen Arthur was never accepted by the upper class old guard BLP. Henry Forde did not want it and they needed his economics background
    Mia Mottley has people in her cabinet who had a removed her and brought back Arthur to lead them
    So all this fuss about people switching parties and the criticisms of Depeiza is nothing new
    To put it straight up: Cannibalism in the BLPDLP is nothing new. They eat each other and then get together and eat who ever threatens them. Political cannibals of the highest order. It’s a blood sport and the kool aid flows.
    Peace.

  35. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Walter Blackman,

    A low talk fact that is thrown in people’s faces every time somebody has to challenge any one of the many overseas Bajans on their degrading talk. Some of these people speak just as poorly of us as white people.

    I have never begged any damn person either here or overseas for a damn cent and I worked every vacation and Saturday since I was eighteen and paid my own damn way through university. Sometimes the two overlapped. I refused airline tickets and much more from my aunt in New York who is still waiting for me to send a list of things I want her to buy. And she died a few years ago. I have never looked to any damn person for any damn remittances or any damn thing!

    Barbados has problems. It is right and proper to highlight them. But I will not stand by and be spoken of as though I am to be pitied for living in a 2×3 island, where all the people are stupid, living desperate lives and are envious of those who have “escaped” to paradise!

    This is not the reality that I live every day. If I did not like it I could have gone back to England. There were more white people there looking to welcome me than any person on BU. I had a whole damn family.

    But I love Barbados. Warts and all. It may be a fixer upper but so is most everywhere else.

  36. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ MariposaNovember 16, 2020 6:11 PM
    “@ Northern
    We all see what we want to see
    However while u see a sinking ship i see a ship whose captain found it necessary to get rid of the excess baggage that was weighing the ship down and Mia happily threw out her big net and hauled them in
    I still counting Donville to be in the running for the blp come 2023..”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That small-time sprat of a crook the Don would be small fish in the grand scheme of things.

    The catch of the political fishing season would be no other than the very Right Reverend Doctor Denis the Down Lowe.

    Now that catch of one rotten fish would be a prize it would worth the LEC-less MAM to brag about, wouldn’t you say?

  37. Lorenzo Avatar
    Lorenzo

    Mariposa the ship sinking because of the political nightwatchman.First she lost the SGN by election and next will be general elections in 2023.She might look around and find no one following her.Time to ditch the political loser before it is too late as she cannot even win a seat.This Mariposa is what you should be worried about not the Bees.

  38. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Donna
    That has not been my experience on BU. I have been on this blog for years and that nonsense never surfaced. It surfaced in my case when certain BLP operatives , for some unknown reason , thought that I was a supporter of the DLP. When that did not stick they started to tell me that “ I doan even live bout here”. When everybody was cussing Stuart and company, including me, they never called out people like that. Almost immediately after the BLP won , they started the crap and suddenly any critique of the BLP I was told that I belong to some overseas group and want to see the country pull down. This crap comes from the Blogmaster as well. Like I said in a most recent comment I found myself responding to them and got caught up in the foolishness. It’s not correct to state that this nonsense had its genesis in overseas Bajans.
    I have been involved in the current affairs of my country from about age 10. In terms of Bajans living overseas, I am actually considered a new comer. I have sat in my home in Barbados and sent submissions to BU and have been told that I writing from overseas. I was in Barbados the entire election period. I know more about what goes on there than jokers who claim they are on the ground. Some of them have never contributed one damn thing to the country. They have no record of community work, fighting for workers or engaged in the struggle of the dispossessed. Let them write their blasted names! Show me what they have done. And they come here trying to belittle people .
    That was my personal experience and let me make it straight. I am only speaking for for William Skinner. And in my humble opinion we are all guilty of allowing a few amongst us to succeed in brining such a stupid narrative to BU.
    This will be my last comment on this matter.
    Peace.

  39. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Speaking of elections. Erections and statues

    Today lord Nelson was giving his final gun salute in form of pomp and pagentry hosted by PMMottley
    One would think in order to save taxpayers need less money
    An early morning visit.. a couple hands a bulldozer would be enough to push him off his lofty pedestal and a donkey and cart to collect his remains and hauled them to the nearest dump
    But No
    Mam decides that pomp and pageantry to appease the monarchy would put a smile on their faces
    I remember when barbados celebrated its one and only 50th year of Independence how Mam made a big stink
    But not today while the eyes of the world was watching Mam showboated a royal gala in Nelson square for Nelson a hater of the black race
    Which makes for question does Mam believes in giving due respect for the blacks in barbados
    But then again her party loyals think that blacks are idiots
    Could she be right u be the judge

  40. Walter Blackman Avatar
    Walter Blackman

    Donna,
    Miller said that Hal and I (two males) made up two peas in the emigration pod. I simply told him that males were emigrating since 1838 and they settled and worked in foreign lands to help support their families back home. The point I was making is that Hal and I would simply be carrying on that tradition.

    The second paragraph of my comment gave recognition to the fact that women eventually started to emigrate in large numbers also. The reputation that Barbadians (men and women) built up abroad for being industrious and law abiding paved a way for the Barbadians that later followed.
    The remittances they send back to Barbados have a significant impact upon our national development.

    As Sparrow would say: “That is all, that is all, that is all”.

    PS: Please don’t ask me what is the title of that Sparrow song! LOL

  41. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Walter,

    I was not referring to you (or to William Skinner). But you yourself have noticed how we are belittled here on this site daily as though we are the worst of the worst, the most stupid of the stupid, the most desperate, pitiful, bad-minded, corrupt beasts and savages in the entire universe. They speak as though to live among the white people is the epitome of civilization and those who have not experienced it, have no knowledge to impart on anyone. Makes me wonder how they could be so black conscious and mouth all the white man’s opinions at the same time.

    This is spectacularly counterproductive to what they say they are trying to achieve, for you cannot lift somebody up by tearing him down.

    One would think that such intelligent and superior beings who know all there is to know by virtue of living among the white men would at least know that!

    I don’t give a damn about remittances because I would rather live more simply than take one red cent from anyone who thinks as they do. I was in no way in favour of any gatherin’because some here spoke about Barbadians begging them to prop us up.

    I would much rather we live within our means.

    On a personal level, if anyone gave me gift and an insult at the same time I would throw it full force back in their face even if it was something I needed and tell them to kiss my ass.

  42. Hants Avatar
    Hants

  43. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    There were more white people there looking to welcome me than any person on BU. I had a whole damn family

    There you go again … lol

  44. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Donna November 16, 2020 8:37 AM #: “By the way, isn’t Hal Austin going to comment on Mariposa’s oscenities???? Nope! Not a word! He only compliments her “winning argument.” Pretend prig! Bloody hypocrite!”

    @Donna, you also made another interesting comment this morning: “They seem to forget that BU keeps an archive.”

    I was going though ‘BU’s archives’ recently and came across a very interesting ‘discussion,’ in which she was at first ‘said’ to be ‘correct’ but, upon reflection, she was subsequently ‘spot off.’ I had some difficulty describing the comments thereafter as complimentary.

    Mariposa January 2, 2020 10:06 PM #: “I remember a barbados that was free of crime.”

    I simply asked: “Do you mind ‘telling’ the forum what year or duration of time Barbados “was free of crime?”.”

    October 23, 2020 6:50 AM @ Mariposa #: “It depends on how you define crime. We always used to steal cane from the passing trucks. BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, if you define crime as meaning arrests and prosecutions and convictions.”

    After the usual insults, I wrote: November 1, 2020 10:34 AM#: “When I read the phrase, “wild boys, swimming in a cesspit of ignorance,” it immediately brought to mind someone saying Barbados is crime free, by making some silly reference to stealing cane from passing trucks and if you define crime by the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions.”

    November 1, 2020 11:09 AM #: “Who is the idiot who said Barbados was crime free. We have had crime since the Garden of Eden. But what is that truth if some braindead fool wants to make another BU joke.
    I have said Barbados does not have any serious gang crime. There is a difference between that and the illiterate claim there is no crime.”

  45. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Artax
    I read the obscene reference from@Mariposa directed at @Donna and I was stunned. Such obscenities, according to some on BU, is a way of distancing ourselves from the queen and her language.
    As far as I am concerned it was totally out of place and uncalled for. I would suggest to @Mariposa that an effort should be made to avoid that level of discourse.
    Peace.

  46. Walter Blackman Avatar
    Walter Blackman

    Donna
    November 16, 2020 8:59 PM

    “Walter,
    I was not referring to you (or to William Skinner). But you yourself have noticed how we are belittled here on this site daily as though we are the worst of the worst, the most stupid of the stupid, the most desperate, pitiful, bad-minded, corrupt beasts and savages in the entire universe. They speak as though to live among the white people is the epitome of civilization and those who have not experienced it, have no knowledge to impart on anyone. Makes me wonder how they could be so black conscious and mouth all the white man’s opinions at the same time.”

    Donna,
    A black person living in an era of “imposed” white supremacy will find the going very rough indeed.

    The USA is no bed of roses. The real hostile confrontation is between American blacks and American whites. As soon as you open your mouth and they hear your Caribbean accent, most American whites will relax and ask you where you came from. You tell them.
    “And you leave those beautiful islands to come here? Why?”
    You are tempted to answer them truthfully by saying: “I don’t know what sort of prostitute you would call me, but I am here strictly for the money.”
    Instead, your brain goes into diplomatic mode, and your mouth automatically and smoothly rolls off the words: “Opportunities are very limited in the islands and the sandy beaches and daily sunshine are not enough to support me and my family. So I am here to help build your country and enjoy a decent standard of living whilst doing so.”
    “That makes sense. What do you do?”
    “I am an actuary.”
    “Really? You are the first actuary I have met in real life,” say the ones familiar with my profession. “You have to be real smart. I never liked math.”
    This is the typical conversation I have with most white Americans. Our relationship seldom goes beyond that.

    To my knowledge, William Skinner is the President of the Cricket Association in Atlanta (maybe any fool can play cricket, so I guess that is why he chose to be President) and he will easily confirm that we nestle close to each other socially to provide the best approximation to a Caribbean way of life that we can. We enjoy the food, liquor, dominoes, tonk, bragging, gossiping, cussing – the works. However, we do not fool ourselves. We know that way of life is synthetic. We visit Barbados periodically just to take a sip of that Caribbean life which we know to be authentic. We return to the USA feeling effervescent and vivacious.

    Racism is systemic in every state in the USA, and because we are so sunburnt, we stay away from “Whitey”, his gun, his bible, and his confederate flag. We know only too well that the cheeks of our black backsides are only one incident away from being punctured by a white, racist policeman’s bullet.

    I am aware that there are some overseas Bajans who come home with their “twang” and “bling” and try to create the impression that they live in a country whose streets are paved with gold. Don’t fall for the hype and pretentiousness. Life is tough in America, and most of us work extremely hard. For the past year, I was working as a consultant on a project for an international life insurance company, and many days I worked 15 hours or more. The project finished recently and that is why you are seeing me now on BU. Whilst the project was going on, I could only read the articles and skim through the comments. The inimitable and indomitable Mariposa claimed that I ran away from BU for all of that time because she showed me her elderly trembling botsy. That is a blatant lie.

    On a more serious note, there are many instances where Barbadians at home and abroad operate in a spirit of functional co-operation. For example, the total exercise of shipping a barrel to a person’s home in Barbados, which I wrote about, is not a financial walk in the park. The cost of the barrel is $55, and you have to pay $45 for collection from your home, and $100 to ship. So before anything is placed in the barrel, you have to fork out US$200. When the barrel reaches Barbados, the intended recipient has to pay the shipping agent there, has to pay to enter the port, has to pay customs, and finally has to pay the “truck man” to transport it to the final destination.

    The vast majority of Barbadians living at home and abroad love Barbados. They do not see their country as a failed state. They do not think that the lives of their friends and family will end in tears. They do not believe that all is lost. You can bet your last dollar that those living overseas will do whatever they can, or whatever is required of them, to ensure that “the little rock” continues to keep its head above the water.

  47. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @ac
    I would be inclined to agree with you on the captain, had said captain made a forceful statement post her internal election. It is standard to do so, for you never know who will stick around, who will join you, and who will run away. And while everyone has their own leadership style, another ‘bump on a log’ approach is unlikely to yield results. Leaders tend to be PROactive, while the followers are REactive. The current lady is a follower.

  48. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “Racism is systemic in every state in the USA”

    racism is also systemic in Barbados, more condensed and mentally harmful to its targets because of the 2×3 size of the island, i have long wished for those who have experience in that regard and who live in the Diaspora, after having seen it up close and personal ….to help break down the barriers of their own people’s diminished societal status through this ongoing practice, but first, the CURSE OF RACISM has to be confronted and not ignored with the hope that it will fade away..

    that has been one of the relentless ongoing battles on BU, fought against for years by a very few, i can count us on one hand…..while the clowns who should know better, whose progeny will be subjected to the same demeaning traditions for untold generations going with vicious disregard , fight viciously against us so that it can all remain securely in place…

    not unlike the battle to eradicate corruption and the opposite war to keep in alive, protected and well to the detriment of the African population, most who are fighting back to destroy themselves are African descendants , but yardfowls are expected to be thus mentally challenged….we could not make this up, shame on them and the leaders who are still condoning such self destruction.

  49. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    I remember being the only voice on BU, as i usually am for human rights violations, making a stinking noise because there was still a self-hating black teacher at QC teaching black boys how to hate themselves, and kept in place by the shite ministry of miseducation, the error that clown made was gliding too close to someone close to me, and felt my wrath, she has since been sent on leave, she better don’t show her ass again with that destroying young minds behavior..

    that is one way to eradicate self hatred and racism, but are others who type and post shite all day long, up to that level of awareness to dismantle and destroy poisonous traditions for the common good.

  50. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Walter Blackman Nov.17 2020

    . Whilst the project was going on, I could only read the articles and skim through the comments. The inimitable and indomitable Mariposa claimed that I ran away from BU for all of that time because she showed me her elderly trembling botsy. That is a blatant lie.

    Xxxxxxxxxxxxxc

    I wanted to put this subject of trembling botsys to rest
    But here u go again mentioning Mariposa and twisting what I had said about your perverted mind
    Furthermore after twisting my comments to fit your purpose u once again call me a liar
    For those who doesnt know the subject surrounding the issue it started a while back when Walter Blackman opened his big mouth and referenced young teenage girls botsys as “trembling botsys” one of BU regulars called Walter out on his choice of words and Walter got frustrated and angry and run away never to be heard or seen until of recent.
    My guess the issue might have originated about close to two years ago
    Some now i guess his mouth and his words might have his conscience getting the best of him
    Hence presently he wants to take control of how he is perceived by those reading the story and continues to lash out at me once again using his twisted version of untruths to call me a liar

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