Letter of the Day | Caribbean should follow Barbados’ example – Jamaica Gleaner

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Barbados has been in the news recently after the island became a republic. Barbados gained independence from Britain 55 years ago. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley is clearly a woman on a mission. Whenever Mia Mottley speaks she grabs attention.

Mottley delighted the many fans of pop star Rihanna when she named her the 11th national hero. A Grammy Award winner and native of Barbados, Rihanna was honoured during its presidential inauguration. On the occasion, Mottley said: 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 honour to your nation by your works, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go.

It is rather unfortunate that after almost 400 years of colonial rule, we are 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 intellect?

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-he-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 womens bodies continues to be paramount.

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 than that of Western societies. Its sad that many of us do not know our history. Teaching history should be compulsory for all grades, from primary through to secondary educational levels. 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 mans culture. The time for a cultural rebirth is now.

The time has come for us as a proud and strong people to probe some of those Eurocentric themes and perspectives through a Caribbean framework. The time for us to free ourselves from mental slavery has passed. 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

waykam@yahoo.com

See the original post here:

Letter of the Day | Caribbean should follow Barbados' example - Jamaica Gleaner