Indo- Barbadians More Visible

-
The Caribbean Is One Nation.                                    
                                                                            Indo- Barbadians More Visible


 Indo Barbadians at function with Minister of
Education Ronald Jones.
The recent furor on the island of Barbados regarding the establishment of a Muslim residential community and mosque in a suburban area , has not caught us by surprise , taking into consideration  the knee-jerk reactions to issues and the ability to ignore trends until there are firmly entrenched. And then pretending they were nonexistent.
It should have been glaringly evident to astute social commentators and others with more than a passing interest in sociological affairs, that sooner rather than later, the Indo -Barbadian Muslim community, would want to  display a more prominent presence on the island.
Apparently, there are many Barbadians who believed that the Indo population would have wanted to forever remain in the environs of the capital city of Bridgetown, in what may be considered rather modest dwellings. However keen observers would have noted that they have been exiting their city base for some time and their financial strength guarantees that they can purchase considerable portions of real estate wherever they desire.
 Such a development would have been nerve racking for those who continue to see the Indo- Barbadians as itinerant traders selling their wares on foot ,motorcycle and then cars, we urge them to see the bigger picture: those days are  for nostalgia , the  Indo- Barbadian population has moved on to other areas such as manufacturing, tourism and the professions. While they still maintain a base in retailing, their economic empire has evolved into all areas of economic activity.
They have built up an economic base that cannot now be denied or easily eroded and for the most part they have been good citizens of their country. Society must now accept that the Indians are as Barbadian as all the other Barbadians are and that it is their constitutional right to legally construct communities and places of worship once permission is granted by the relevant state authorities.
And to be honest , the Indians leaving the environs of Bridgetown for the heights and terraces can be seen in the same light as the Afro Barbadians who have left the villages , roads and gaps to live in the style to which their status demands in the gated communities and the same heights and terraces.
However, we urge the Indo-Barbadians to always ensure that they avoid any acts of discrimination toward others as they continue to broaden their cultural, financial, real estate or any other area. Black Barbadians will have every right to question any known such discrimination/ activity the same way they have from time to time question white Barbadians. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Education Reform

-
One Caribbean Nation. It is extremely difficult to believe that we are incapable of solving current challenges relating to crime and other acts of social deviancy. Our culture remains the foundation of our development. It has undergone tremendous change, both for the better and the worst, during the last four decades. However, we remain a society that still demonstrates some virtues of basic decency toward each other but we   have failed to recognize that culture must be maintained, instilled and explained to our citizens. We cannot continue to ignore the depth of cultural penetration , as we sought socio economic development during the post-independence period. To address this , we must seriously examine our education system . The present raging debate regarding the transformation of the system clearly shows we want change but also expect to cling to the status quo ; this creates a perfect   recipe for confusion. The current method of transferring children from the pr...
Read more

Brasstacks Moderators Should Respect all Callers and Views

-
Image
                                                                   Letter from Brooklyn Walter Blackman Tucker Carlson                                                                                Michael Headley    By Michael Headley On a daily basis, I, like many other listeners, enjoy listening to VOB''s Getting Down to Brass tacks.  On any given day the talk show can be entertaining, funny, educational, informative or controversial, as callers voice their differing opinions on various topics.  And most Moderators allow for spirited give-and-take, to enlighten the listening audience.  ...
Read more

Abolish 11 - Plus

-
One Caribbean Nation. ‘Abolish 11-Plus’: VETERAN EDUCATOR ADAMS SLAMS ‘EXAM INEQUALITY’ By Sheria Brathwaite Former senator and retired principal Alwyn Adams on Friday reignited calls to scrap the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination, commonly known as the 11-Plus, describing it as an outdated relic of educational segregation that stifles the potential of the working class. While delivering the keynote address at Speech Day of St Leonard's Boys' Secondary School where he was once principal, Adams criticised the island's education system, declaring that it was failing the people and urgently needed reform. Repeating a call made two years ago, he argued that the common entrance examination is an antiquated mechanism designed to limit the academic advancement of Barbados' working class and perpetuate educational segregation. He said then that with Barbados having transitioned to a republic, the country ought to get rid of the current educational system which he...
Read more