#BTColumn – Let’s talk racism and discrimination

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

This year’s Black History Month was rudely interrupted by the video that went viral with a Bajan white man expressing in very raw and descriptive language how he felt about black Barbadians.

The video caused the anger of many Barbadians of all backgrounds and races and rightly so. His own family disassociated themselves from his racist rants.

Once again racism was brought to the fore in Barbados. Social media fed most of the discussion and allowed for a wider participation of the public.

Traditional media couldn’t escape the attention the story generated and jumped into the fray with their own reports on the issue. Interestingly, out of the woodwork came a few persons who sought to speak to discrimination faced by themselves as white persons in Barbados.

Every so often the issue of race and race relations boils up in Barbados and robust discussion ensues for a while and then simmers down as we move on to the next topical issue.

The sentiments and points of views expressed by a wide cross section of Barbadians on the subject are worth listening to and digesting. Radio call-in programs offer a very good insight into the feelings and opinions.

What has stood out for me this time around is that racism and discrimination in Barbados are not simply a black and white issue. There are several variables that play out in the manner in which Barbadians treat to each other.

In some cases, it is on the basis of colour that we engage or disengage with fellow Barbadians, in many cases it is based on class considerations, which socio-economic class do we feel comfortable or tend to associate with.

In some cases I have found that it is due to religious beliefs that informs a person’s interaction with others. Gender considerations, sexual orientation, able and differently-able, and nationality among others also factor into the equation of how we treat and behave with our fellow human beings.

With the COVID-19 pandemic I have also encountered personally, discrimination or stigmatisation based on health issues. This was the case with HIV AIDs several years ago and perhaps still exists but not to such a great extent.

Human beings, it can be argued, are wired that way, to be in some way or the other, discriminatory. For me it is one of those demons that have to be controlled and exorcised especially if it impacts negatively on society.

Clifford, the white Bajan, appeared angry and frustrated in the viral video as he spewed his racist remarks. He later spoke to his anger as prompting his outburst, claiming he is not racist and defending himself by arguing he has friends who are black.

I saw an amusing meme in response “serial killers will say they are not as they also have live friends”.

It is said that during moments of anger one’s true feelings come out.Probably when one is drunk as well. I don’t drink alcohol so I wouldn’t know.

Human beings internalize much from very young. The environment we grow up in, lessons that we are taught at home and at school, our experiences, who we socialize with, all impact on who we are.

Some of us may choose to hide some features of our character and others will express those features in limited places and circles. I doubt that Clifford expected to be caught on video in such a manner.

But this whole episode should be a lesson for him and others who think similarly. You may hide your racism or you may not even believe you are racist but moments like these bring out your true nature.

One of the panelist on a call-in program on this topic made a very important observation. In Barbados, we don’t openly and freely discuss these issues. It is a taboo subject. Even in our households and family circles we hardly talk about it. But it is a discussion that must take place, nationally, publicly and in private.

Black History Month is observed annually in Barbados and over the years has gained more traction in its celebration and observance.

The tendency is to focus on things African and to look back at our history with Africa and those persons of African descent that made outstanding contributions to world civilization. African dress and culture are also expressed symbolically by our students in schools and some adults in their workplaces.

Perhaps the time has come that we don’t only refer to Black History in this month but also to Black and African Awareness.

Where are we in Barbados as it relates to our awareness of who we are as a people and how interwoven our cultures and races are.

As the panelist also pointed out several persons of other races shy away from participating in Black History Month in schools especially, and may not turn up on dress-up day or just wear the school’s uniform.

These are the difficult discussions that we as a people must have. To break down the barriers, visible or invisible, that exist in our society as it relates to race and other forms of discrimination, we must begin to talk about it.

And not only talk about it from a historical perspective but from a present day reality and what it means today to the average Barbadian of any race. We must talk about it in our homes and among our family circles.

We have seen a resurgence in many parts of the developed world of white supremacists and far right extremists. Emboldened by political leaders they are prepared to terrorise for their own political gains.

But we have also witnessed a rise in human consciousness of the past injustices that need to be corrected and the need to exorcise in our own selves and our communities the devils of discriminatory behaviour.

The Black Lives Movement allowed for some very difficult conversations to take place not only in black and white communities but in Asian and other ethnic communities.

In Barbados it allowed for the discussion on the removal of Nelson to once again take place and eventually to his being taken down.

So let not Black History Month come and go each year and meaningful discussions not take place.

Let’s not wait for another Clifford to voice ugly rhetoric before we seek to rid our society of discrimination in whatever form.

Suleiman Bulbulia is a Justice of the Peace; Secretary of the Barbados Muslim Association; Muslim Chaplain at the U.W.I, Cave Hill Campus and Chair, Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition. Email: suleimanbulbulia@hotmail.com