It is National Heroes Day in Barbados. Of the national heroes that have been recognised for contributions to national development, we are fortunate to have global pop icon and businesswoman the Right Excellent Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty and Sir Garfield Sobers alive _ the others, Sir Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, Dame Nita Barrow, Sir Hugh Springer, Clement Payne, Sir Frank Walcott, Bussa, Charles O’Neal and Sarah Ann Gill.
Although naming national heroes can sometimes be controversial and contribute to division in a country, with the exception of Rihanna – the most recent addition – there is general acceptance without question all of our national heroes contributed to the social, cultural and economic development of Barbados. Tthe blogmaster on careful reflection does not agree with Rihanna being named a national hero. She has done us proud on the global stage there can be little doubt, BUT, when the dust settles her success globally was engineered as a result of pop culture. A simple definition of pop culture is a popular culture transmitted via the mass media and aimed particularly at younger people. Further, pop culture is perceived as superficial, characterised as less sophisticated, more consumerist, and focused on trends rather than deeper meaning. However, pop culture also has its own value and can be a source of entertainment and shared social experience. The objective is not to criticise Rihanna the person but the symbolism of what her naming as a national hero represents.
The question of the role of government protecting society resurfaced in recent weeks because controversial and popular dancehall artists Vybz Kartel and Mavado were allowed to perform in Barbados. Vybz Kartel was singled out because he performed during the Easter period the most sacred of festivals on the Christian calendar. Many have not forgotten that Vybz Kartel and Movado represent the violent Gaza vs Gully culture out of Jamaica. Also Vybz Kartel was recently released from prison because of a successful challenge to juror tampering in a case he was found guilty if murder. Notwithstanding attempts by the two artists to transition from smutty to less explicit content, should Barbados have allowed Vybz Kartel and Movado to perform in Barbados?
The role government should play in shaping public morality is complex. Although the Constitution of Barbados does not directly address public morality, it mentions “the law must respect moral order, meaning laws should not just be about power, but about right and wrong.”
It is important when debating heady issues that our leadership ensures logical debate trumps emotional, political and other perspectives that promote narrow self interest. There is rising concern in Barbados about crime; violent crime. It requires for decisions taken about everything in the country to be evlauated based on our current state of affairs. We cannot be simplistic to accept that because it is the right of promoters and artists to earn a living, we ignore a counter culture which is threatening to derail all the good accomplished to date. How many times has the BU household warned over the years about weeds that were protruding on our manicured lawns? How many times has the blogmaster reminded about the consequences of ‘Nero fiddling while Rome burns’?
It continues to boggle the mind why a majority of Barbadians cannot see the folly of staying on the current path with the inevitable consequences in plain sight. If bold decisions are not made to intervene and disrupt popular behaviour there will be a BOOM. The time is now for leaders in all areas of civil society to enter course correction coordinates.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.