Barbados: A Republic

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“Merely by describing yourself as black you have started on a road towards emancipation, you have committed yourself to fight against all forces that seek to use your blackness as a stamp that marks you out as a subservient being.”- Steve Biko. Barbados has been in the news recently. The Caribbean island became a republic after removing the Queen of England as its head of state. Barbados gained her Independence from Britain 55 years ago. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley is clearly a woman on a mission. Whenever Mia Mottley speaks she grabs your attention. Do you recall her address at the United Nations? Mia Mottley delighted the many fans of pop star Rihanna when she named her the 11th National Hero. Grammy award winner and native of Barbados Rihanna was honoured during its presidential inauguration, which served to mark the country becoming a republic. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the crowd, "On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty." "May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions and to do credit wherever you shall go," Who/What Determines Appropriateness? Cambridge Dictionary defines appropriateness as the quality of being suitable or right for a particular situation or occasion. Appropriateness is a subjective matter shaped by cultural context and the era in which the event occurs. It is rather unfortunate that after almost 400 years of colonial rule Jamaica is still trapped in a culture of colonialism which continues to dictate what is appropriate. Caribbean societies continue to slavishly pay obedience and allegiance to the systems and structures which were imposed by Britain during the period of enslavement. These systems were implemented to keep us in our place. Has the time come for us to break away from the vestiges of colonial rule? How long will we continue to facilitate our own imprisonment; imprisonment of mind and intellectual? While many support the decision to name Rihanna as National Hero, there are those who took issue with her mode of dress at the function; they believed her attire was most inappropriate’ for the occasion. Rihanna wore a gorgeous haute couture mustard hue off the shoulder evening gown. Rihanna is a young mega pop star and social media influencer. What did her critics expect her to wear to this momentous occasion? Rihanna is not Mother Teresa. Much of the criticism against Rihanna is steeped in colonialism and patriarchy; where the policing of women’s bodies continues to be paramount. Symbolism is very important especially on occasions where words become meaningless. Barbados took a bold step not only in replacing the Queen as head of State, but also in redefining appropriateness. We can all trace our ancestral linage to Africa where the mode of dress is far different and very much appropriate from Western societies. It’s sad that many of us do not know our History. The teaching of History should be compulsory for all grades from primary throughout secondary education. Regrettably, too many of us are too easily swayed by a prevailing culture of whiteness. Most of us have bought into the narrative of the white man’s culture. While Jamaica continues to debate whether or not to replace the Queen as Head of State, Barbados has taken action. For Barbados Rihanna is a modern day heroine. Undoubtedly, she is a role model to thousands of women and men. Other Caribbean islands should take a page from our sister island of Barbados. In the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds! Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo ©

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