Article Image Alt Text

Dr. David Browne addressing persons in the audience on the topic ‘The Embrace of National Independence.

Becoming Bajan: The embrace of National Independence

 

The final lecture at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed in association with the Barbados Museum took the form of a panel discussion which focused on the topic, ‘The Embrace of National Independence.’
 
The three panelists, Dr. David Browne, Dr. Haajima (Hajra) Degia and Peter Laurie took different but interesting approaches to this topic, with each individual addressing it from his or her perspective.
 
Dr. Degia noted, “Being bajan does not have to do with ethnicity and the intersection of social class or race. Despite our appearances we are all Barbadians. Some persons might speak differently but that should not negate who we are as Barbadians, neither should we place each other in groups creating social boundaries, because of our ethnicity. We are all Barbadians regardless of race, colour or creed. Not Indians, whites or blacks but Barbadians.” 
 
Panelist Peter Laurie posed the question, “Can we go forward into the next fifty years with just one bajan identity or do we settle for a broker ethnically cruel society in which the best we can hope to achieve is a largely peaceful but deeply distrustful tolerance of the other?”
 
In reference to this question Laurie said, “Four things need to happen. The first of which is, bajan whites have to confront and get over the anxiety and discomfort casting off the ethnic security blanket which three hundred years of our history have conspired to get them entangled in and recognise for all tactful purposes their bajan cultural roots are more African than European. Even though Britain gave us a valuable formal framework for our lives and our language, education and administration, it was Africa that gave us the informal framework and action on the way we spoke, played music, dance, drank, love and expressed our spirituality.”
 
“Secondly, all Barbadians must look at our history from a human point of view rather than from an ethnic point of view, so that the ancestors whom we revere and celebrate are not ‘ethnically’ determined but ‘ethically’ determined. We identify morally and spiritually with the enslaved and the oppressed over the enslavers and oppressors and hence celebrate the symbolic events that ushered in dignity, freedom and human rights for all bajans.”
 
He goes on, “Thirdly, those in government responsible for implementing programs relating to our African heritage such as the Pan African Commission, must make it clear their mission is not exclusionary for African heritage is a patrimony of all bajans. When celebrating the accomplishments of African civilizations and teaching them to our children, we have made it more importantly to continue unearthing all aspects of the African heritage right here in Barbados.”
 
In his fourth point he noted, some of the champions of the black cause must stop behaving like old testament prophets, breathing fire and brimstone and threatening retribution on the white tribe unto the fifth and six generation.
 
Dr. David Browne touched on the issue of independence going as far back as the beginning on independence and the views on whether Barbados should become independent or become  federation.
 
He noted, “Since 1966, we have not come to grasp with what Independence means for us and persons still wonder on its meaning.” 
 
“It is my hope Independence reveals a sense of deep pride from my people in their country, a feeling of being one, self confidence that we can overcome all obstacles that stand in the way of personal realisation and development of our culture as we develop our national identity.”
 
Browne emphasized, “What we want out of this nation in the next fifty years is not hard to conceptualise in terms of economy and transformation. Are you happy with Barbados at this present time? The youth, the crime and violence of our nation? Where do we want to take our nation in the next fifty years? We need more strategic thinking and some leaders who will consider the restructuring the economy and building a society that will be strong and embrace the future.”
 
One audience member fondly known as Ally said, “I am in agreement with Dr.Degia’s view on Barbadian- identity. It does not have to do with ethnicity but embracing a culture. Despite my ethnicity I am a bajan. Not Indian or anything else but bajan first and foremost. The authorities in this country need to sit up and pay attention and treat people like who they are. A bajan. That is what we want to identify with. Not race or ethnicity but we as a bajan.”

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000