Where’s the White People at?
Can you spot any white people in this tent audience picture?
Is racism and segregation alive and well and kicking in Barbados?
Is it all around you and it is just so common place you don’t even recognise it?
I read an article in the Nation newspaper entitled “Racism in our Hotels” where it identified our hotels as the only in the world that have guards and security barriers at their entrances, deeming them selves seemingly unreceptive to the general public they are suppose to serve.
The intention according to the writer, is to keep out the black locals and keep the white visitors separated.
Let’s look at other subtle forms of racial segregation which seemingly exists, calypso tents.
When was the last time you saw white people in a calypso tent?
As manager of Bacchanal Time tent operating since 1995 I cannot tell you I have ever counted 6 white people at any one of our shows, and that’s quite a claim considering we have events which exceed over 5000 patrons.
Usually when we do have an adventurous white couple who visit us when MC Mac Fingall highlights them as he always does, they are always “visitors” from overseas.
In other words the white people who live here don’t seem to go to calypso tents. (I know John Edwards attended last year, you don’t count John)
Is it because tents are usually dominated by black patrons.
White people attend their own events like polo and the others I don’t know about since I am black.
What invisible line exists which determines that you will only see only blacks at some events and mainly whites at others?
Is this a sign that in 2008 racism is alive and albeit quietly kicking in Barbados?
Where’s the white people at?*
How many whites in this tent audience picture?
Answer; 4; Congrats you win a ticket to Polo event next weekend
*Quote from Cleavon Little; 1974 “Blazing Saddles” movie
If during the reading of this blog there is any thing I might have written which might have incensed or offended you, GET OVER IT! There are many things I read and hear in the media on a daily basis that I don't like either. SO DEAL WITH IT! You are welcome to leave your comments though. Make sure and come back yuh hear !!!...
March 26th, 2008 at 9:23 am
IS it racism? or a matter of interests? It may be that white people are not into the tent setting and the type of entertainment offered in the Tents. They certainly represent on Kadooment day and at East Coast. Maybe they like the party atmosphere. Most Black bajans are not interested in Polo either but those that are interested are seen in the Polo crowd and on the polo field.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I go to as many tents as I can whenever I am in Barbados. If I lived in Bim you’d definitely see me at the tents and certainly not at any polo event.
I think general holidaymakers are just not aware of any cultural events outside of the “entertainment” their hotel puts on. If I know of anyone travelling to Barbados (esp. during Crop Over time) I try to encourage them to go to such events and see what “real” Bajan culture is like. They simply cannot have the slightest idea until they leave the cocoon of their hotel and sample it for themselves.
Until I live there I cannot speak for the people who live there!
March 26th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Yes there are some white folks in Barbados who are racists as hell, but what sickens me is the black bajans who practice this same racism or classism , whatever the hell you want to call it against their own. I see it every year when I travel back for cropover, and I am quite sickened by it. Question, Are they any black folks who are allowed to jump in blue box car or is that reserved for only whites. Just my observation.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:25 am
barbados well segregated! maybe white folk have their own calypso listening parties. i doan know cause like you i black.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Without White
With all the changes in society
I still see a racially discriminate community
There were national events but something wasn’t right
Had many Blacks but you could scarcely see a White
Our new cabinet sworn in and all were at Kensington
Unless I was blind, Bajans were ample but hardly a White one
Then Parliament reopened and Bajans were in plenty
White people were again scarce at the hat and tie ceremony
Had a few, but just that, for Rihanna’s big do
It’s not surprising, she’s a mixed Diva so you’ll see a few
Thousands show up in their Bands on Grand Kadooment Day
Except for then, Whites are scarce and equality needs a pray
See other Acrostic works from
The Bajan Poetry Society
By Khaidji
March 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Whites either own their own businesses or work for other white people. They hang out together. They have their own nightclubs (harbour whites…er I mean lites) and they only participate in “white” sports – polo, swimming, motocross rally. You don’t see whites playing cricket or football. They only jump in blue box cart.
Open your eyes people. Barbados is definitely one of the most segregated societies on earth.
March 29th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
i have argued the point for the longest time now
at the time i compared barbados with south africa and concluded that apart-hate (apartheid) is stronger in barbados than in south africa
that was then ——–over 15 years ago
it has gotten worse
how many local whites marry local blacks
white people do menial (what a discriminatory word) jobs too but they do them in a slightly more organized fashion
there are white people cutting people’s lawns for example but they organize a company and get big contracts to do the jobs at such places as other corporate entities owned and controlled by whites
apartheid in barbados is real
if you doubt it -try to get into business especially the ones whites are involved in. check the attitude of the few who are involved in music and entertainment
we need to do some work in barbados as far as educating black people about their history . trust me it can be a very liberating experience.
but anytime you start talking in such terms people shout you down and cry racism like if black people could ever practise racism —-it is not possible–(controversial statement). people dont want you to dig up the past because they feel that it could stir up trouble but i asiba -the buffalo soldier believe the time is long past-it is past due
i wonder if this comment will be published because of the content
March 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
provocative
white people in barbados are racists
if a white man sings in a tent -they will visit that tent
but if there are no white people singing or performing they dont come
evidence: when mighty whitey, jamming white bwoy, soca surfer and emile straker sang in the tents -white people attended
i must say though that they do listen to the music and they do buy the cds
March 31st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Looka, Peter – effin ya gonna tief off me polo items at least say “Bourney, thanks” ya pirate you! LOL, seriously, black people have been going to polo, whites want to see an integration and what I wrote about in my blog is there needs to be a Bajan Tiger Woods of the Chukkas (alias: POLO)!
There have been white participation sporadically over the years – Mighty Whitey (now with a great Pub Quiz at Roje’s); Hurricane Helen (mainly a pain in the *** on Brass tacks now, and a US but Baje in mind) then there was Soca Surfer (is he a cop now?)
How welcome do we make them feel? I am a mixed breed – like Blade, and when I first went to After Dark I get STARED at real HARD, but I nah pay any mind and I would chat who gal I like and wuk up – I went for Untouchables Tent, Square One and Spice… Strangely enough I stopped going there in 1999 when they would not in let in a guy with corn-rows! No, his name was not Damien, but he is a buddy of a friend then and I thought it was bare SH***!
Anyway, I think both sides are guilty, we need to relax – I know at Starcom there is one guy there who says if he daughter even dates a white guy then he will cut her out of his will… Is this the 21st Century? I told my parents if they don’t like who I marry then don’t come to me wedding and I won’t bother to let them know if they have any grandchildren! I marry who I want for love, not for alliance or politically acceptable!
May 24th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
actually there are 5 whites in the pic…lol. There is a white person behind the black man[in the white shirt] by the aisle seat who has his arm raised. You can only see the white man’s face tho.
June 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am
i don’t like that….look we all are the same if you don’t like black people then don’t be like us i know some white people tht wanna be black so being black can’t be bad we get things ya’ll don’t like money being slaves by the way look up your family tree because your grandmama black so is your mama you’ll be shocked look in the mirror you racist, ignorant, cracka and some black people are smarter then what you think you asked “where the white people” is you blind it’s like 4 of them….you mite be in it while you trying to clown…i like being black and so do your daddy because he was hitting this last nite and he said it was the best he ever had where your mama?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:52 am
hey, yo… I am a white lady who married a black Bajan & I have lived there in Barbados (where we were, there were NO white face for miles!!) but, I fit in with the Bajan ppl an I love them so!! Guess my mind an heart were more open than most!! I attended ALL the “Black” events there an fit in an never saw “colour”, only a fun-lovin crowd where I felt 100% comfortable… an safe!!! Up here in Canada, we, too, BOTH fit into the crowd here… I love the Bajan ppl an the island!!! One Love…
November 29th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
A friend of mine told me that local whites do not mix and it is only of late, that I realize what he means. Bajan whites or whites from other Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago do not mix with Blacks or any other race for that matter.
Sure they would talk to you in the workplace, university, college or school. They would smile in your face and be nice and even go to lunch or dinner with you while at work, but they do not mix with you outside the workplace.
They have their own events like Polo and even if they attend things like concerts, you can guarantee that it is someone like the Spice Band or some other white member dominated group.
February 9th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Yall are a bunch of racist idiots who know nothing.
If that’s the case then have fun in your little chattle houses while the white people live in the wall houses.
People like yall are really are a disgrace to us black people.
Yall talk about things you don’t know and it makes yourself look like an idiot.
March 24th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
People it’s like that all over the world. You’re not alone.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:40 am
white people dont listen to shit music.you see.
that is why?and may be fear of being killed.