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Who cares about Barbadian history?

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Submitted by John Doe

For years my parents and grandparents told me this BLP cared nothing about black people, poor people and worse yet poor black people. History is important if we are to know how we were subdued and how we grew from that subjugation to being a (supposedly)proud black nation. The BLP continues to rewrite and white-wash history while they carelessly handle the nation’s archives (old buildings without fireproof storage), demolish historic sites in Holetown and Bay Street (slave burial ground) and desecrate our ancestors graves in Newton in favor of another tourism project.

Unfortunately, another protector of the nation’s archives and heritage has fallen. CBC is set to become digital on April 1 2025 and as I was watching the only programme which speaks to the history and heritage of Barbados, I was shocked to find out that “My Community” (which features citizens in their golden years telling their stories) will come to an end as part of this mass retrenchment which will affect the producer and presenter of that series. 

To silence our history is to turn us into fools and to bring the shackles back. CBC belong to BLP so what they say goes. 

What is next? Taking down Bussa statue??

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10 responses to “Who cares about Barbadian history?”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    CEO says it’s first phase of restructuring

    A NUMBER OF Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) employees signed off yesterday as the state-owned entity moves to execute a major restructuring into a fully digital broadcaster.

    Among those made redundant were former head of archives and information Sherwood McCaskie and former sports editor Shawn Greene, who confirmed that it was their last day on the job at the Pine, St Michael media house.

    A meeting was held with staff yesterday during which several issues, including severance packages, were addressed.

    In a subsequent statement, chief executive officer Sanka Price said that the corporation hit the reset button on its operations with its first phase of restructuring. Without giving numbers, he explained that although some staff members and contractors were cut, others were re-engaged.

    “It is a necessary step as we seek to modernise our operations. A re-organisation on this scale, regardless of its necessity, is a significant challenge for any company.

    “We have, however, managed this process while being mindful of our staff, whom I must Greene, McCaskie reflect on time at corporation

    commend for their patience and understanding. Several staff members and contractors have been re-engaged to continue operations,” Price said.

    He said that the corporation was not closing.

    “We are transitioning to a fit-forpurpose organisation at the cutting edge of broadcast technology. It’s a long, overdue journey that begins tomorrow [today]. The innovative changes coming will be revealed in the days and weeks ahead.

    “We are confident that when the transformation of this organisation is completed, the corporation will, even more so, be the centre of excellence for showcasing Barbadian lifestyle, heritage and sports.”

    Greene, who worked at CBC for 17 years, reflected on his journey.

    “I am not the same guy that I was 17 years ago. It’s just unfortunate that I won’t be able to fulfil all of that . . . but life goes on and when one door closes, another will open,” he said.

    When asked what his plans were, he said: “I have options to weigh and we will see.”

    McCaskie first made the announcement during the Remembering Historian Trevor

    Marshall episode of his programme My Community – which featured interviews with Dr Henderson Carter and Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong.

    Social history

    “The series began on Sunday, December 29, 2019, as a direct response to the Prime Minister’s call for a recommitment to the values that define us a people. What better way to understand the foundations of our identity than by providing a platform for our people to share their social history.

    “Over the last five years and four months you have welcomed us into your homes and shared your personal history. Together we have built a significant body of knowledge. As My Community comes to an end, so does my time with the CBC. With the organisation’s retrenchment and transition, there is no longer a place for me or the work to which I have dedicated myself,” McCaskie said.

    During an interview with the DAILY NATION at CBC yesterday, he further reflected on his 20 years there.

    “CBC has provided me with the wonderful platform to reach people to allow people to tell their stories of love, resilience and compassion. That has always been the mandate of CBC over the many years. I am pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to be of service to Barbados,” he said.

    In addition to his work on screen, McCaskie said he was proud to have also contributed to the development of other staff at CBC.

    Although he did not divulge specifics, he said he would continue to serve the country.

    In early March, the country was informed about the restructuring process, with the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) also a part of the negotiations.

    BWU general secretary Toni Moore had stated: “From the outset, the BWU has been resolute in ensuring that CBC employees are treated fairly and respectfully. We fought tirelessly to secure a severance package that recognises their contributions, [addresses] the anxiety associated with this protracted period and exceeds the standard provisions. Beyond the financial aspect, we understand that transitions like these can be difficult, and we want every CBC employee to know that they are not alone.”

    Source: Nation

  2. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Who can forget the sacking of the under ground structure at Fort St George?

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2019/08/20/fort-george-find/

  3. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED: #WhoCaresAboutBajanHistory

    ANSWER:

    #AHandful (LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF FINGERS ON A HAND)

    Anyone with any modicum of intellectual honesty will “OPENLY ADMIT” that it is not high on the average Bajan’s agenda – especially given the “COST OF LIVING” & the “CHANCES OF DYING” from every conceivably known “MODERN VARIANT”: from #Stress 2 #Poverty 2 #Suicide 2 #YouNameIt

    WHAT IS SAD IS THAT SO-CALLED HISTORIANS ARE LIKE AN ICE-BOAT OF COLD FISH

    For nothing can “REVEIVE” the souls of men like the “POWER” of “FAITH* & something so deep that you are “WILLING 2 DIE 4 IT”!!!

    #AllElseIsJustCRAP*

    IF TRUE BLACK HISTORY WAS TAUGHT FROM THE CRADLE – BLACK POWER-BROKERS WOULD RULE THE WORLD

    #EmanicipateYourselves

    #PowerIsNOT_Linear

    #UnitedWeStand

    #DivideWeFall

    #LookHowFarWeHaveFallen

    #NowImpossible2GetUp

  4. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    No place for Sherwood’s local programming? I will make an ass of u and me by assuming we’re in for an upgrade.

    We are going to dig deeper into our history, all the way back to Afrika!

    Hahahahahaha!

  5. Goeht Avatar
    Goeht

    @TLSN
    It was probably the one of the few structures a tourist would find interesting on the island.

  6. John A Avatar
    John A

    Well history preservation so lets see.

    WE PUSHING DOWN THE SOLID CORAL STONE BILIILDINGS AT THE OLD HOSPITAL AS OPPOSED TO RESTORING THEM FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES, INSTEAD OF RENTING SPACE AT PRIVATE LANDLORDS. BUT WE GIVE WAY THAT LAND SO SCRATCH THAT.

    WE PUSHING DOWN THE HOLETOWN POLICE STATION AND MOVING THE MONUMENT FOR ANOTHER HOTEL.

    WE MOVED NELSON AND HAVE HIM IN STORAGE SOMEWHERE.

    WE WILL NO DOUBT DEMOLISH PART IF NOT ALL OF THE OLD GERIATRIC HOSPITAL BUILDING WITH ITS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND 2FT THICK CORAL STONE WALLS TO BUILD A CONFERENCE CENTER.

    THE OLD WATER STORAGE SYSTEM BY CBC WE DEMOLISHED BY ACCIDENT CAUSE NOBODY KNEW EM WAS DEY. APPARENTLY THE BWA KNEW NOT IT EXISTED. HAD HISTORY OF OUR WATER SUPPLY BEEN PROTECTED THIS WOULD NOT OF HAPPENED.

    WE DESTROYED ONE OF THE LAST SLAVE HUTS IN ST LUCY BY ACCIDENT TO WIDEN A ROAD.

    WE WANT TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDINGS AT THE DRILL HALL FOR ANOTHER HOTEL PROJECT.

    I could go on but you by now must of caught my drift. Truth is our leaders would like to erase all evidence of our past and replace it with other structures, as oppose to embrace it and capitalize on it via tourism like Antigua has.

    WAIT I NEARLY FORGET WE EVEN DIG UP WE ANCESTORS AT ONE OF THE LARGEST SLAVE GRAVE SITES IN THE CARIBBEAN TO BUILD SOME BUILDING THERE.

  7. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ David,

    Where can I buy a copy of this book ?

    Holetown, Barbados, Settlement Revisited, and Other Accounts (pub 2004)
    by Morris Greenidge.

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    Probably from Pages Bookstore or the University Library at Cave Hill. Failing you can contact Greenidge directly.

    https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=au=Greenidge,%20Morris.

  9. ALVIN CUMMINS Avatar
    ALVIN CUMMINS

    How can I make a simple comment, or comment simply. Sherwood McCaskie should NEVER have BEEN MADE REDUNDANT. HE STILL HAS LOTS TO OFFER. HIS SUNDAY SHOW WAS ONE OF THE MOST ENLIGHTENING AND INFORMATIVE OF THE PROGRAMMES CB.C. HAS EVER PRODUCED. OUR EMPHASIS ON NON-LOCAL HISTORY IS to be REGRETed FOR THEIR LACK OF CORRECT PERSPECTIVE.

    WE MAKE MUCH OF THE FACT THAT “GEORGE Washington slept here,” and push
    AMERICANS to pay much attention to it. But JaJa the king of the Nigerian state of opobo lived for a much longer period at a house (since pushed down) across the street from ilaro court. we do not teach the history of this freedom fighter and the battles he fought against, and european exploitation of the African continent. i suggest that more people google his history and acquaint themselves with his battles against British colonialism, which resulted in his exile to the Caribbean; Grenada, St. Vincent, and finally Barbados.
    He died on teneriffe affter his exile was rescinded by the Queen and he was on his way back to opobo. I SUGGEST ALL BLACK PEOPLE TO GOOGLE THE BERLIN TREATY OF 1871,AND THE TREATIES OF 1831, WHICH EMPOWERED THE europeans to divide up africa among themselves. i invite all American admirers to Google “The TRAIL of Tears” and “The Indian Removal Act”, to learn about the Genocide and Massacres committed against the indigenous Indians of North America, to fully understAnd why we no longer hear even mention of what happened to thosE original inhabitants.

  10. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    @ Theo,
    In the hands of philistines destruction is the norm. It explains why the arches of St George’s Fort were destroyed.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NBzpzi4cGHs

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