Blackman condemns body-shaming tactics in campaign

Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate Chad Blackman has accused his opponents of targeting his appearance rather than debating key issues ahead of Wednesday’s by-election in St James North, condemning what he describes as body-shaming tactics.

At a spot meeting in Ashton Hall on Wednesday night, he blasted the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) for concentrating on his size instead of substantive matters, while dismissing the attacks as evidence that his candidacy poses a genuine threat.

Referring to DLP challenger Felicia Dujon, he said: “The lady running against me… day in, day out on her platform continues to come after me based on my size.

“But it tells you they are afraid of the big man. If I was no threat, they wouldn’t come after me.”

He also responded to reports that flyers had been circulated likening him to the fictional character Shrek, telling supporters he was undeterred and focused on delivering for the people of St James North.

Blackman, whose campaign champions plans to launch a farmers’ market and agricultural co-operative in St James North to support food production and reduce reliance on imports, has also been promoting a health initiative across the constituency, saying that community health and agriculture must go hand in hand.

He further shared his commitment to improving his own health and is using the moment to promote a broader conversation about healthy living in the constituency.

“I want to go on record… and say thank you from my heart for the messages of encouragement and support that you’ve given me over the last week since I announced my change of lifestyle,” he said, noting the importance of leading from the front and by example.

He said he plans to implement walking clubs and other wellness initiatives as part of his campaign to encourage lifestyle change and disease prevention.

“We cannot talk about food security without looking at the aspect of ensuring that we have a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

“The agricultural initiative is not divorced from a healthy lifestyle. You have to balance it with accessible food at a reasonable cost.”

Touching briefly on the agricultural initiative, he said: “It is within the capacity of St James North-the farmers who are in poultry, raising cattle, pork, vegetables-to help Barbados become food secure.

“We’ve already started to put things in motion.”

In further defending his character, Blackman said he was proud of his associations and upbringing.

“If you want to judge me by the association of the people in Ashton who love Chad Blackman and nurture me, then I stand accused,” he said. “If you want to judge me by the association of young men who, through no fault of their own, are sometimes marginalised-but I say, fellas, I am with you-then I stand guilty.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley also weighed in on the tone of the DLP’s campaign, cautioning against personal attacks and what she described as the use of offensive imagery.

“You think anybody could come to me with a picture of Shrek? No,” she said.

“There got to be some limits. I’m not incapable of understanding the need for political banter… but there got to be some limits.”

The prime minister said the BLP’s campaign was focused on service and development, and urged voters to remain focused on the issues.

Blackman is running against Dujon and independents Alex Mitchell and Steffanie Williams in Wednesday’s by-election triggered by the resignation of former MP Edmund Hinkson. (SM)