Barbados Underground - bringing the news to the people

128 responses so far ↓

• The scout // May 13, 2008 at 11:43 pm

  There are some friendly Indian Guyanese living here but as the numbers increase, so will the vice of the bad ones increase. For those of us who lived and worked in Guyana would know, the divide between the races is real and I don’t expect it to change drastically because they are living in Barbados. I fear that when they get here in large numbers, they would then show their real colours. With a looming recession coming, things are going to get hard here and we would see resentment from Bajans about the influx of Guyanese to this country. I just hope it doesn’t get out of hand. Guyanese can more rough it out than Bajans because that is what they are accustom to. i think the authorities should look at stemming the tide of Guyanese and those from other parts of the region NOW. Right now too many simple jobs are given to non-Bajan that can be done by them. It’s not that they don’t apply but the non-Bajan is favored over the Bajan. That’s not right.

• nonsense // May 13, 2008 at 11:52 pm

  I simply cannot understand why a site that is normally so spot-on can promote this sort of xenophobic nonsense. Immigrants typically do the jobs that Bajans do not want to do. You see it everywhere. They tend to cause no more crime than the local population - remember the shootings and arrests over Christmas - all Bajan fuh real, not Guyanese. Yes there needs to be restrictions, yes we need to be careful but this sort of rant does nothing to promote level headed thinking.

• Anon // May 14, 2008 at 12:51 am

  What does Peter Wickham think of the flood of Mexican illegals gate crashing USA borders daily? How does he feel about the hordes of non EU people illegally living in Britain and the millions desperately trying to join them? The USA and UK are alarmed about their leaky borders and the calamatious outcomes of unchecked illegal immigration.

  Make no mistake about it Barbados is in the same boat as USA and UK with regards to the Guyanese mainly but illegals from other jurisdictions as well. I am not advocating mass deportatation and certainly not discrimination after all these are humans we are talking about. However our immigration apparatus has to be toughened and illegals ferreted out and returned from whence they came. The ones with legal status are as welcome as any bona fide tourist.

  Over to you Minister Mclean. I concur with BU that Wickham’s vindication in elections has gone to his head.

• Banned // May 14, 2008 at 1:56 am

  Ya know if you go to the USA from Cuba you’re legal (political refugee) but from Haiti Mexico, Honduras, you’re economic and illigal. Mexicans lived in Florida and Texas long before Americans did. They were slaughtered and displaced and referred to as illegal. It’s all a load of crap. Immigrants are people looking for a better life.

  Barbados is much much larger than people let on. The strategic housing policy and infrastructural development plan should necessarily take into consideration significantly increasing numbers of new Barbadians. To my mind a population of one million is still too small to act as a base for real industrial development. There is a relationship between population size and the degree of industrial sophistication that a country can adequately pursue. Small populations produce juices from concentrates. Larger populations produce guidance systems.

  If there is a problem with the race, do like the Chinese and breed them out. China is a country of muts.. no Manchurians, no Mongols, dwindling Tibetans, they have all been bred out pf existence. The silution to the immigrant of Indian ancestry is therefore quite simple, don’t insult them, SCREW THEM ALL!

• Banned // May 14, 2008 at 1:59 am

  Amazing that White people could remain so pure after all these years in this neck of the woods. Just not healthy. They should have been interbred centuries ago.

• NEVILLE ROACH // May 14, 2008 at 6:01 am

  Ignore those who shame Govt
  Published on: 5/14/08.

  PLEASE PERMIT a little space in your daily publication to air my views as a citizen who believes Barbados comes first and personal sentiment comes after, and what contributed to my having those qualities is because I allow my heart to be the master of my judgement.

  However, let me get to the point. The David Thompson administration assumed office with a number of serious problems inherited from the Arthur regime. Some of them are unique to our country. For example, the influx of immigrants coming into our country to work for low wages, thus putting Barbadians out of work.

  Sir, let us look at the Ghanaian situation that was a big problem for our Government. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. This situation is a continuation of the sick immigration policy by the Owen Arthur administration, which is a “whosoever will, may come” policy, with no regulations whatsoever, which is a serious threat to our national security and also overloads our social services.

  For example, I know of a young woman who has been here six years and now has three children. If this senseless policy continues with the way immigrants are multiplying, this country will be ruined in twenty years.

  Sir, it is crystal clear that those Africans were victims of racketeers.

  Having said that, it was unfortunate that the Africans arrived here at the wrong time because they were faced with the Thompson administration which is making every effort to protect the national interest of this country and also to restore the dignity and integrity it once had.

  Now, fortunately for the nation, the Thompson administration is committed to taking this country forward into the late great Errol Barrow’s vision. So let us come together as a responsible nation and give the Government our fullest support. At the same time let us call for the repudiation of those with an objective of embarrassing the Government just to satisfy their sentimental emotions.

  – NEVILLE ROACH

• Bajan // May 14, 2008 at 6:39 am

  Dr. Gibson come public which is what we want our people on the hill to do and Wickham and some others throw cold water on the lady. The beautiful thing would be to have some other academic rebutting her work using accepted approaches. That would be kicks.

• peltdownman // May 14, 2008 at 7:19 am

  The fact is that immigrants do not take jobs from Barbadians. Anyone who runs a business in Barbados knows how difficult it is to recruit good people. By “good”, I mean those who are prepared to arrive at work on time, get on with the job, and not find any small excuse to take time off. Ask those who employ immigrant labour, and they will tell you that absenteeism is negligible compared with that of Bajans. It is true that immigrants are prepared to take the lower paid jobs, but that does not mean that they are driving wages down.

• John Doe // May 14, 2008 at 8:55 am

  Go to any construction site in Barbados, and as a general rule, you’ll see the Guyanese working hard, and the Barbadians working slow, or asleep. Barbadians aren’t racist so much as they’re lazy.

• Negroman // May 14, 2008 at 9:46 am

  John Doe what nonsensence are you talking that Barbadians are lazy.A bunch of hog wash.Who built Barbados before the influx of these immigrants.Is it not Barbadians.You fool.If Guyanese and other immigrants are so hard working and have good work ethics why they did not stay and develop their countries.I hate the nonsensence that Barbadians are lazy.It is human nature that when immigrants leave their countries and seek their fortunes overseas these immigrants usually work hard because they want to achieve.Barbadians left Barbados and went and work hard overseas and improve they lot.It is sickening that we Barbadians are labels as lazy.Downright foolishness.I am a black barbadians who is working two jobs to provide for my family.Also many other people I know are also working to jobs to improve themselves.Would you call us lazy.
  Idiot wise up.
  I read in todays paper that 3 indo-guyanese were charged for physical assault.It seems they assaulted a black man going by the name I saw in the papers as the complainant.These are the concerns that we barbadians are concern about.I hope Peter Wickham,David Ellis,Michael Brown and all the other Indo-guyanese lovers and apologists are observing these developments.I wonder what is Peter Wickham views on the race relations in Trinidad and Guyana.
  I will like to believe that the present government is serious with its promise of drafting new legislation to deal with immigration issues.I have my doubts.One reason is because of our lead role in CSME and lack of vision and sincerity in our politicians.
  As I mentioned in previous comments Indo-Guyanese are intrinsically racist and where ever they go problems and destruction will prevail.Barbados beware.If the politicians do not have the courage to tackle this problems I believe that we must take this matter into our own hands and demand action to be taken in any form neccessarily.
  NB watch the chinese growth and influence these chinese are having on ourgovernment.

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 10:20 am

  Anon // May 14, 2008 at 12:51 am

  What does Peter Wickham think of the flood of Mexican illegals gate crashing USA borders daily? How does he feel about the hordes of non EU people illegally living in Britain and the millions desperately trying to join them? The USA and UK are alarmed about their leaky borders and the calamatious outcomes of unchecked illegal immigration.

  ================================

  Peter Wickham has laid his socialist, liberal beliefs on the table, one of which is his disdain for Borders. His views on the Guyanese issue should be seen in this context. When you do so there isn’t any need to engage him.

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 10:26 am

  Negroman i share your sentiment re Bajans Lazy. But please do not lend any importance to the views of David Ellis, Peter Wickham et al on this issue. They are no more informed than you or I, and the charge that their assumed rational and reasoned opinions are more likely to be shaped by personal benefits, is yet to be answered. What is in it for them does not include us.

• Anon // May 14, 2008 at 10:31 am

  Well said negroman. I also cringe when I hear Barbadians are lazy . They are some lazy people of every hue in every society. But when I hear it in Barbados its two segments among us who push this idea. The minority elite merchant classs and the foreigners.

  You spelt out your case lucidly because its Bajan blacks who built this country to the extent that now hordes of Guyanese and others clamouring to live here. Where were they in 1937 when we faced down the guns of the racist white ruling class ? Where were they in the sixties when Barrow and the builders of this country moved Barbados from a village to the leading developing country in the world?

  Barbadians are among the thriftiest people. They have to be . Look at what we had to work with. No resources only our people, sea water and sand. When I hear we are lazy I know exactly who is saying it. I can assure you its nobody looking like us . I am a black Bajan like you negroman. This is our land.

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 11:32 am

  I believe the racial devide that is clearly the national passtime of Guyana is already eminating from Guyanese in Barbados towards Barbadians. It is my understanding that there may be someone of Guyanese origin working at the nation newspaper and that may also have access to that Newspaper’s Editorial page.
  The following represents the Editors comment for Saturday 22, May-2004 . Maybe it was Carl Moore who wrote it. :D

  ========================
  STOP BASHING THE GUYANESE
  Stop The Guyanese Bashing - Saturday 22, May-2004
  THERE IS a very special ring about radio talk shows that keep us all buzzing with conversation. Interesting people make valid points which add considerably to public debate on issues of import.
  But that is only half of the talk.

  The other is diatribe. Pure and simple.

  Unfortunately, we have to swallow the one with the other. We have to listen to much nonsense if we want to benefit from the comments of value.

  The most recent example is the debate about the presence in Barbados of a large number of non-nationals, in particular people emanating from the Republic of Guyana. Estimates put the level at between 25 000 and 30 000.

  People are screaming on the airwaves about it, and they sound pretty sick. Arguments that border on racism and the need to preserve our “race”; arguments about Guyanese taking away the jobs of Barbadians; arguments about the social and infrastructure cost of this excess population are but three of the most non-sensical.

  This is not the first time that this debate has raged. The slightest public incident involving Guyanese or reference to the presence of Guyanese here gets the crazy-heads going on radio.

  Few people want to admit that without the presence of Guyanese artisans the construction industry would be at a standstill because of a labour shortage.

  Skilled men and women have made their way here and have made their mark because they bring to construction a sound work ethic and the ability to do some of the finest finishes.

  Others have come here to escape the hardship of life in a country divided down the middle because of racial conflict master-minded by selfish politicians.

  Others are a type of political refugee, and they fit into our country better than many others in this region because Guyanese and Barbadians have similar modest lifestyles and levels of social tolerance.

  The majority of people who access the radio to talk have no appreciation of the fact that we in the Caribbean – particularly the English-speaking Caribbean – have a common history and a common destiny.

  They are blind to the realities of a coming common market and want to ignore the fact that many years ago it was the Barbadians who benefited from the hospitality of other countries, absorbing our excess population.

  It hurts to hear pygmies giving vent on air to their petty chatter and myopic thinking, unchecked and unchallenged. We now merely listen and wait for the time when the bar is lifted and the radio shows return to more inspiring, more sane debate.

• Yardbroom // May 14, 2008 at 12:13 pm

  The word “racist” is thrown at people on this blog, with a frequency which make its useage common place. The purpose being to bully, intimidate and consequently silence. The downside to this, is that the normal force which such a word warrants in a deserving case, is lost through inappropriate use.

  Some Barbadians are of the opinion, that a drastic change of the population mix in Barbados, through illegal immigration can do great damage to Barbadian society. To believe Barbadians are a special people, and the stresses and strains which have brought havoc to our Caribbean neighbours and elsewhere cannot touch us is lunacy, bordering on irresponsibility.

  Barbados as a nation is not impervious to societal breakdown, what will prevent it, is not to allow the circumstances on which it feeds to arise.

  Prudent management of immigration, controls in place to ensure those who are forced to or desire to take the illegal route are thwarted. This gives a firm foundation for legal immigrants, through rights recognized by law, and acceptance by the indigenous population through management of numbers.

  To gamble many years of social cohesion, through proper assimilation and prudent practice ,for a short term feel good factor is nonsense. This issue is so serious that it should not be left to a wish and a prayer.

  The downturn in the economy will come at some time time in the future, there will be unemployment and the society should be able to absorb that slack without internal tensions.

  At such a time everyone in the country should be seen as entitled to all rights and privileges, and there would be no social tension that cannot be managed.

  Rebuttal to nonsense.
  Barbadians are lazy, long before the building of the Panama canal Barbadians were sought to work abroad, after, in Canada, USA, UK and many other places, theyhave made a success for themselves and their families through hard work.

  Foreign Immigrants work for less.
  They can afford to, a young single immigrant male in Barbados sharing with a couple others, can afford to, he has not got the financial commitments of the Barbadian male of the same age-who perhaps has a family to look after in Barbados and all that entails. To ask a Barbadian to lower his/her standard of living to what the immigrant is accustomed to in their own country, to get a job in his own country, Barbados, is to throw reason and common sense out of the window. Of course, employers would like that, they would be delighted if workers worked for nothing , it increases profits, but we have been there before.

  Barbadians over many years have tried to make a success of the little resources the have had - and they have been little indeed - if immigrants wish to mke a case for permanent residence in Barbados, do so, but to make that argument on the back of scurrilous nonsense that the host- Barbadians - are lazy lacking in initiative and endeavour, begs the question why can’t your enterprise only flourish in lazy, backward Barbados, why not in the golden halls and marble palaces and with the thrifty and enterprising people of the country you left? why after so many years it has come to nought?

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 12:31 pm

  This was my response response to that 2004 editorial.

  In reponse to a one-sided opinion from the other side that is masquarading as the Nation news paper editorial comments.

  =================================
  QUOTE
  Others have come here to escape the hardship of life in a country divided down the middle because of racial conflict master-minded by selfish politicians.

  Others are a type of political refugee, and they fit into our country better than many others in this region because Guyanese and Barbadians have similar modest lifestyles and levels of social tolerance
  =================================

  If there are escaping racial conflict in their society, what levels of social tolerance could exist in that society that are similar to ours??????

  .Are we selective in who we accept from this racially divided society?

  .Are we allowing individuals from both sides of the racial divide?

  .Do people who migrate immediately suspend their cultural believes and practices?

  Can we safely say that these individuals will be acculturated into Barbados sufficiently enough to fade any remnants of the generational social diviseness in their native society?

  Other than tripping over yourself and clearly showing the difference between the two societies, when you probably intended otherwise, what is your argument? What statistical measurement was use to arrive at your asserted breakdown of contributions to the radio talk shows? Should we just stop talking because, mixed amongst the valid points, are others, according to you, that are rifted with diatribe? Isn’t this true of every national issue under discussion? Who made you judge and jury anyway? Would it not be better to attempt to win those diatribe talkers over to a more pragmatic discussion? What purpose does it serves to talk down, criticize and dismiss a contributor to this debate. I am not going to speculate on what could be the agenda that is driving your equally offensive remarks.
  Here it is, you have access to prime editorial real estate that could be better used to educate these contributors on why you think their arguments may be incorrect , and you seemly could not resist the simpleton temptation to squander that space to engage in what to my mind could be considered remarks that are equally deserving of the same dismissive title you attributed to theirs. Have you call on Sir Leroy Trotman to identify those 3 construction sites that he has said are dismissing Barbadians only to hire non-nationals? Is he lying? Should we not believe him? Do you understand the context within which he Sir Trotman is calling for a national registry on non-national workers? Do you agree with this approach? I do believe him, and i am at a lost as why you would refer to that particular argument echoed on the call-in programs by average person as non-sensical? does that argument alternate between the senical and non-sensical base on who stating it? People will always want to know things and when they can’t get the information they tend to create it. If you honestly want to limit the so called diatribal, borderline racial arguments, then research the correct information that will counter such, and present it in response to the arguments that you think are incorrect.

  This as got to be an individual’s OpEd (Opinion editorial) masquerading as the collective opinion of that news organization

  This post has been edited by Adrian: May 22 2004, 04:21 PM

  Adrian Hinds and Hindssight are one and the same. :D

• peltdownman // May 14, 2008 at 2:18 pm

  “Foreign immigrants work for less…” Where this nonsensical statement originated, I don’t know, but unless the foreign worker is the lone employee in a particular workplace, or all the employees in a workplace are immigrants, then it doesn’t make sense. In my opinion, which comes from personal knowledge, it is almost impossible to place a foreign worker in a job alongside Barbadian workers and pay him/her less for doing the same job. Neither they, nor the Bajans would put up with it, quite rightly. The reason that immigrant labour is recruited for the most part is that Barbadians cannot be found who are willing to do the job for the pay offered. Quite often, this pay is a function of the competitive situation a firm may find itself in, and not necessarily due to exploitation by the company, though I admit that this does occur in some cases. As has been the case the world over for generations, immigrant labour does take the lower paid jobs not wanted by the indigenous population. West Indian immigration to the UK after the Second World War is a perfect example. Often, in those cases, there was generally low unemployment and extra labour was needed. Last year we were in a similar situation in Barbados, and there are some industries which still find it extremely difficult to find skilled labour here. A controlled immigration policy is the answer to this problem. I would have no truck with illegals.

• Banned // May 14, 2008 at 3:08 pm

  Jack Bowman
  May 14, 2008 at 4:03 pm
  Mr. Banned, in this very discussion, makes an astounding offer:

  ______________________________________________________
  I would personally pay for Mr Wickham to go to the US … and have him report to the public on his findings. Do you think BFP would be interested in his findings?
  ______________________________________________________

  That’s a remarkable and excellent offer, Mr. Banned. But would you only pay if it were Mr. Wickham who visited the United States and reported on his findings? If so, why?

  Can we strike a deal here? I’ll do the trip and write the report if you only pay two thirds of the cost, not the whole thing. I’ll report fully, and I’ll plead with BFP to publish my findings.

  I write at least as well as Mr. Wickham. And, in a recent poll among a representative sample of my family, a clear majority thought I was (i) more intelligent than he is and (ii) better looking.

  What do you say? Do we have a deal?

  Sorry but BFP is moderating my comments as usual. The offer is extended to Peter Wickham. He draws more attention to you and I trust his judgement. Obviously you and the madmen at BFP have a problem with that. Sorry but he is the star not wanna.

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 3:41 pm

  What is the fuss about Peter Wickham’s opinions? He is a socialist, what is the surprise there?

  …He was invited to the US by the US State Department during the Last presidential election, his report back was a bias and driven by his ideological position as this “China View” of his. The cake for me in his recent article is that he seems to be refering to Barbadians as “Ignorant” with the following

  “The fact that it takes 18 hours, over two days, to reach China’s capital city Beijing, where the native tongue is hardly recognisable to most Barbadians, means that few of us visit that place or even give much thought to the politics and culture of a country that now occupies the spotlight as a result of the Summer Olympics.

  IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IGNORANCE IS THE “NORM”, perceptions based on the propaganda of those who care to express an pinion easily become our reality or worse yet, our gospel and in the case of China, we have more recently been reading from the book of CNN, BBC and (God forbid) Fox News. ”
  =================================

  You see his “Perceptions” are better than yours and you better accept that. It is a fact. :D

• hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 4:24 pm

  Taken from page 13-14 of the IMF consultation with the Barbados Government in 2000

  QUOTE
  The first protocal convered the priod 1993-95 and made provision for an economy-wide wage freeze. The second (1995-97) provided for a period of wage restraint in line with productivity changes.

  Unionized labor accounts for 60 percent of the labor force. The public sector accounts for 20 percent of total employment and sets the tone for the rate of private sector wae increases; while public sector wage settlements are set in two-year contracts, private sector contracts are generally longer

  Page 14 continues……
  to a substantial bidding up of wages in this sector, particularly for skilled workers; more recently, however, these wage increases have been moderated by the inflow of workers from other Caribbean territories.

  Barbados: 2000 Article IV Consultation

  I want to make the point to those who continue to think that the presents of illegal workers in this country is a result solely and or primarily of their ability to work harder, better, and in skills and areas of employement that are no longer preferable to Barbadians. This influx has always been about lowering cost (people willing and thankfull to do the work for less). I will always refer back to comments that Mr Richard Williams then GM of Sandy Land made to his staff out of fustration over a work stoppage. “I look forward to the day when i can hire Vincentions and other foreigners”

  …..as i know Barbadians, they will wait until the truth cannot be disputed, but then as always it will be too late. The only place caribbean integration is taking place is in Barbados, and while we have Barbadian companies on the ground in other islands, COW and Goddards, comes to mind, i can recall the difficulty of one. Julie’N’s entry into St. Lucian Retail space was met with hostility by establish retailers, and a violent robbery and criminal injuries to a couple of Barbadians sent to work there had the impact of scaling back operations…..I don’t know what has become of the business or the injured Barbadians.

  http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2000/cr00158.pdf

  http://www.barbadosforum.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=1119&view=findpost&p=33577

• The scout // May 14, 2008 at 5:40 pm

  The problem is Bajans don’t like their own. Before this influx of Indo-guyanese, Babados through the good professional work of Bajan had develop a country that was the envy of the rest of the region. That’s why the big movement toward this country when the flood gates opened. How come now Bajan workers are not good? What I can say is the quality of workmanship in Badbados as fallen badly. I know of some major construction site with massive problems and mainly because of non-badbadian labour. I also know of sights where Bajan are not welcomed. The problem is when these projects become disasters and the foreign labour gone too, we bajans would have to take the blame.

• The scout // May 14, 2008 at 5:57 pm

  In the 50’s and 60’s lots of Bajan men migrated to” B.G Demarara” in search of employment. A vast country with a small population and much room for development. These men started families there, that’s why if you look through a Guyanese telephone directory you would see many many Bajan surnames. These are the black Guyanese. I believe if we accept the 2nd and 3rd generation Bajan from Britain, we can do the same for the Guyanese, but the Indo-Guyanese who come here ain’t no family to we. In there numbers, they would cause big problems in this country. If you are fortunate to talk to an Afro- Guyanese he would tell you that it’s only time before this happens. We are still in the embryonic stage of this influx and we have to nip it in the bud NOW or accept what happens after. Our children and their children will smell hell in the future. All that we and our ancestors have work so hard to develop is going to be destroyed in one generation. I would be dead by then but God help this little country. For years they were trying to get their hands on it and the vultures are taking over, we will become fifth class citizens in our own country.

• Cane loader // May 14, 2008 at 6:19 pm

  I will always refer back to the comments of Mr. Richard Williams then GM of Sandy Lane made to his staff out of frustration over a work stoppage. ” I look forward to the day when I can hire Vincentians and other foreigners”
  ………………………………………………………………………..
  It is unbelievable this same Richard Williams was hired by the BLP government and Noel Lynch for a truck load of money to allegedly market Barbados in USA. The above statement clearly tells us Williams is incapable of marketing anything far less Barbados. He is apparently still in position drawing thousands from hard working black Bajan taxepayers. What is the new government doing about these useless clowns?

• Polly // May 14, 2008 at 7:07 pm

  Maybe not relevant but Vic Fernades and Roxanne Gibbs are of Guyanese extraction. Both occupy critical positions in the media.
  Could this explain why the traditional media is blanking this issue?

• David // May 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  Have we tossed out the concept introduced by Clyde Mascoll before he left government that the working population of Barbados needs to increase commensurate with the need to increase productivity/GDP. The aging demographic of Barbados supports his point?

• Straight talk // May 14, 2008 at 7:56 pm

  David:

  The whole world’s economic system is based on the belief that there will be a permanent increase in everything.

  Unfortunately, in our world of finite resources,
  this cannot happen.

  Our own pensions depend on the increasing number and productivity of younger taxpaying members of society to sustain them, and they themselves will depend upon an even greater increase.

  It is an exercise in futility, it obviously cannot go on forever.

  It is a dragon eating its own tail as the earth cannot support continuous exponential growth.

• Hindssight // May 14, 2008 at 8:41 pm

  David // May 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  Have we tossed out the concept introduced by Clyde Mascoll before he left government that the working population of Barbados needs to increase commensurate with the need to increase productivity/GDP. The aging demographic of Barbados supports his point?
  =================================

  You encourage your current population to “breed” some more.
  Clyde Mascoll’s opinion was a politically calculated attempt to draw on the believe that his title of an Economist of some standing would emasculate the already unpopular policy of his new found friends.

• SMALL BUSINESS OWNER // May 14, 2008 at 10:02 pm

  I have hired numerous workers over a period of 10 years and based on my experience I would say 90% are not worth what Paddy shot at. The major difference is that the Guyanese will work hard initially until they get a foothold , then they become as lazy as the average Bajan worker.

• Banned // May 14, 2008 at 10:06 pm

  I say breed them all or have them breed us all, either way, clear case for sex as a wonderful solution.

  Again China is a nation of muts. They make it Government policy to encourage intermarrying so there are no ethnic issues. Score A++ for social engineering

• Dr. Randy Persaud // May 14, 2008 at 11:16 pm

  Disucssion is always always good for democracy. So long as we have debate, we are able to keep the promise of having a better society. I am writing this note on account of shocking remarks made on this website. I have to tell you that for sometime now I have heard of anti-immigrant feelings in Barbados, but I never imagined it had reached this level.

  In an ironice way, therefore, BU is providing a good service. It gives expression to extremist anti-Indian and anti-Guyanese positions, but it appears willing to tolerate dissenting voices.

  For today I just to make a few points.

  (1) The ways Hinduism is practiced in India is quite different from the way it is practiced in Guyana. Guyanese Indians intermarry across all lines. Muslims and Hindus frequently marry in Guyana.

  (2) The Hindu texts were written thousands of years ago, and to select this and that line fro the text to “prove” whatever is not good scholarship.

  (3) The Hinduism that Gibson writes about is unknown to me. I state this in categorical terms.

  (4) As a Caribbean person, I have been proud of the accomplishments of Barbados. The attacks against Indians and immigrants, however, have given me pause. I had promised to take my family for a vacation to your country, but cannot do so anymore.

  (5)I appeal to Barbadians not to go down that path of race politics - in this case anti-immigranthysteria. This is happening all over the world.

  (6) I urge you to debate without personally attacking people. Critique the arguments, and give people to respond.

• Banned // May 15, 2008 at 12:23 am

  Indian guy seriously, can my dauhgter marry one of yours? My wife is White.

• GT-Reality // May 15, 2008 at 3:27 am

  Dear Editor:
  Academic dishonesty at Guyana’s institution of higher learning by Rickford Burke http://www.c-gid.org/

  It is time for a substantive debate on racism in Guyana. It is a cancer which has been festering in the Guyanese polity.
  Since Guyana’s ruling East Indian People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government came to power in 1992, they have engaged in pervasive racial discrimination, ethnic cleansing and ethnic triumphalism. The corollary, by intent, of this philosophy of racism or “Apan Jhaat” (vote your own race) has been the disenfranchisement and political, cultural and economic marginalization of Afro-Guyanese. This has gravely fractured our national polity.
  More recently, the PPP has been engaged in clumsy attempts at the psychological conditioning of the nation as well as revisionism of the social and political history of Guyana. Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana and PPP official, Dr. Prem Misir, recently tarnished his academic bona fides by releasing a bogus study which he claimed establishes that there is no evidence of marginalization of the African-Guyanese collective in Guyana. Dr. Misir’s study is such a fraudulent exercise and dishonest academic work, that it usurps his academic standing. This presumed academic study borders on being CRIMINAL. It must be vigorously condemned. It is a disgrace and a curse on the University. If not repudiated, it would decimate the University’s academic standing and further reduce the institution to the PPP’s deplorable, ethnic workshop.
  The raison d’être of Misir’s study was deception. He was uninterested in an unbiased assessment of the veracity of allegations of marginalization of blacks as a consequence of PPP racism, ethnic triumphalism and racial and political discrimination. Rather, the study was designed, in methodology, mechanics and execution, to negate and disprove the reality of pervasive racial discrimination. Its so-called quantitative observations and conclusions are fallacious and have no scientific or academic merit.
  When challenged, Dr. Misir admitted that his study was limited to what he called “social marginalization” solely in the Guyana public service. However, Misir deceitfully included demographics from the Guyana Police Force and Army, which are not public service entities under extant law and which East Indians do not traditionally join because of cultural factors, to deliberately kew the results of his study.
  I could care less about “social marginalization, ” and what ever definition he ascribes to that condition. As a PPP member his mission was to strategically change the psychology of the debate on PPP racism, and to use his office to provide a platform to deny verifiable allegations of racial discrimination; so that the PPP can in the future reference his phony conclusions as “emanating from a UG study.” But make no mistake about it; Dr. Misir’s “claims” are mendacious and highly offensive.
  His concept of “social marginalization” is premised exclusively on ethnic distribution in the public service as well as the police and army, which combined has less than 10,000 persons. However, conversely, PPP racial discrimination and marginalization of blacks have been pervasive throughout the entire society. How does he account for the other 90% of the black population under the siege of racial discrimination? If Misir’s machinations is not a manifestation of a culture of academic immorality then what is?
  An aggregation of Africans and other ethnicities in the government service “cannot” be used to determine marginalization, and Dr. Misir, who claims to be a researcher, know this very well. It is just what it is - an enumeration of the varying ethnic groups participating in the service. Therefore, one cannot assess marginalization of one group in a multi ethnic/racial society, without a comparative analysis on wealth distribution, education, job availability, and access to equal opportunity under the law. An analysis of these social indicators will establish that the dominant ethnicity in Guyana - East Indians, who make up the government, dominate in these areas, while Blacks have been systematically excluded and made the dependent segment of the population and have been marginalized in the society.
  Traditional social behaviors, job opportunity and availability, qualification, political identity and loyalties, are factors which influence public service participation in Guyana, not the generosity of the PPP. Therefore an evaluation of these numbers cannot be an accurate sociological measurement of the imposition of an ethnocratic ideology on a population or the ideological practices of a government. If one person is discriminated against by being refused a job, compensation to which he/she is lawfully entitled, a contract, equal protection under the law, etc., on the basis of race, then that is empirical evidence of marginalization. This is what Misir should be evaluating, if his motivations were genuine and noble. But they are NOT. His intent is sinister. It is to give his party an academic shelter from it’s racist practices.
  When the PPP selectively targets African Guyanese in the traditional public service and places them on the bread line, THAT is racial and political discrimination and marginalization. Such action is deliberate and serves the singular purpose of oppressing the minority. Their action in the allocation of government contracts is racist. Their lack of response to, and countenancing of, the extra judicial killings of Africans, is racist. Their reluctance to confirm numerous Africans in acting positions in the public service is racist.
  These behaviors by the PPP are not the unintended consequences of charity, but rather the deliberate policy of an active dictatorial ethnocracy! They employ simply, repressive measures of controlling and reducing African people in the society. For the African Guyanese collective, marginalization in any context is racial and political discrimination; it is a deliberate function of PPP ’s racial and political discrimination.
  This practice began in 1992 when the PPP was elected to power. Hence, a study of “marginalization” cannot be isolated to 2002 and limited to “social marginalization” as Misir has surreptitiously done. An honest study must look at racial discrimination, racism and marginalization from the time the PPP took office in 1992 to present. It must also be objective, holistic and comprehensive. It must be inclusive of all social groups; age, sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, etc. Any other methodology, especially by the head of an academic institution of higher learning, will be dishonest and unacceptable.
  Don’t tell hundreds of thousands of Guyanese blacks, that we are delusional and that there is no racism or marginalization in Guyana, when we live it, feel it and breathe it every day. Many died as result of it. The PPP regime in Guyana is a full-blown, oppressive ethnocracy. They have an insidious noose of impoverishment, subjugation and servitude around the neck of the African Guyanese collectivity and are attempting to strangle it back through the “Middle Passage” like the imperial master.
  I continue to believe until proven otherwise, that Dr. Prem Misir is an enabler of PPP racism. His writings betray this. His dabblings in PPP racial politics and open disrespect for and denigration of the African political opposition, expose him as a rabid partisan who should not be in the Pro-Chancellorship at the UG. None, not one of his predecessors has ever indulged in Guyana’s partisan politics in this manner. Not Bollers, not Baird, not Craig, not Walcott. None! Neither can anyone name any head of a University in the region who has unabashedly practiced Misir’s brand of partisan politics. Universities have always stood-out as a place that is independent and academically sacrosanct. This is so because it’s environment must be honest and conducive to unrestricted learning.
  Dr. Misir asked me in a previous correspondence if “Africans in well-placed positions are ‘tokens’ as we have no indicators to measure this conclusion?” My answer is yes. I believe that Africans like Sam Hinds, Henry Green, Roger Luncheon, Gary Best, Juan Edgill, etc are Judases who are willing to sell their race for money, position and concessions. With the exception of Dr. Roger Luncheon, all the others are literally powerless and are “merchants” of the head of the ethcnocracy, who cannot exercise their own professional judgment.
  The bottom line is that Dr. Prem Misir’s “study” is merely the enumeration of an ethnic census of the traditional public service. It is part of a deliberately engineered phenomenon which has a predetermined outcome - the political and social domination of a select group in Guyana, primarily because of their ethnic origin and perceived political affiliation. The PPP’s agenda is to use academia to promote and justify racial supremacy and their ethnocracy. Dr. Prem Misir and Dr Tara Singh are only two of their recognized compliant and willing agents.
  The faculty at the University of Guyana must disassociate themselves from Misir’s work, lest it validates his attempts to turn the UG into an ethnic “crook-shop. ”
  Rickford Burke
  President
  Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) http://www.c-gid.org/

• hindssight // May 15, 2008 at 8:56 am

  TO RANDY PERSAUD:
  please address the particular posts that cross the lines of decency so define by you. It is not fair for you to make your blanket comments and throw caution to all on this website and to an entire nation as if to suggest that all of us are contravening your defined boundaries.

  I will continue to speak about the very real events that take place daily in Guyana even if you and others there and that are from there continue to turn a blind eye to these things. Make your caution and concern work for you by throwing it to those specific comments that offends you. No censure will take place on this blog.

• hindssight // May 15, 2008 at 9:03 am

  GT-Reality // May 15, 2008 at 3:27 am

  Dear Editor:
  Academic dishonesty at Guyana’s institution of higher learning by Rickford Burke http://www.c-gid.org/

  It is time for a substantive debate on racism in Guyana. It is a cancer which has been festering in the Guyanese polity.

  =================================

  GT i share your concerns. I read everything about Guyana that i can find on the Internet. I actively seek out Guyanese of every hue and colour, living in the diaspora and engage them on this topic. I am yet to find one that does not agree that there is too much divisiveness among black and Indian Guyanese. Not one. I don’t know where these defenders of the status quo are coming from and have been living, but they are not going to change my mind on the experiences, verbal and written comments that suggest what they are clearly in denial about. They will not win the argument by placing ill-define labels on me and others for our willingness to engage the truth of what Guyana is today.

• Ady Hotep // May 15, 2008 at 9:36 am

  We Bajans are not critical thinkers,EVERY other race in this world because of white supremacy considers themselves better that so-called ‘blacks’.By letting large numbers of Ind0-Guyanese in we are creating a problem for the future.They need to stay at home and build Guyana up what is wrong with that.If its wrong can some one explain to me why its wrong.I am an immigrant living in a ‘first world’ country and I know what is is to be tolerated but not liked.I know all manner of ills are ascribed to immigrants,bringing disease,driving wages down,upsurge in crime etc and I think to myself why am I here and not back in B’dos building it up.Unfortunately immigrants will always be despised wherever they are and Bajans are reacting no more differently than Germans,Americans or English.

• Banned // May 15, 2008 at 9:54 am

  hindssight
  “No censure will take place on this blog”
  Maybe you could speak to the egomaniacs at BFP

• hindssight // May 15, 2008 at 10:16 am

  Unless BFP explicitly says that it has censure you, i will not take your word for it. From time to time moderation is turned on, on both blog, and i do not see that as censure.

• hindssight // May 15, 2008 at 10:23 am

  Ady Hotep // May 15, 2008 at 9:36 am

  We Bajans are not critical thinkers,EVERY other race in this world because of white supremacy considers themselves better that so-called ‘blacks’.
  ================================

  DITTO: I often challenge people to indentify for me, a country where , not even black but simply the darker skin citizens are not at the bottom of the economic ladder. My experience suggest to me that it seems as if non-whites who are not black, tend to work extra hard to differientiate themselves from Blacks. Like everything in life there are many many exceptions to this observation, and therefore i am not blinded nor guided by it.

• Real Ting // May 15, 2008 at 10:59 am

  i cannot see why as soon as there is a call for the management and control of immigration the stance is labelled as irrational and anti-caribbean

  No body is saying stop the guyanese from coming but we must manage the amount who come and take steps to remove those who are hear leagally or regularise their status.

• A True Believer // May 15, 2008 at 1:54 pm

  I dont mind the indian women i too like long hair but a lot of the indian men just racist as hell.

• Yardbroom // May 15, 2008 at 2:35 pm

  I have no interest or desire as regards the females of any group identified here, my only concern if about “immigration” and the consequences of that, if not controlled, on the indigenous Barbados population.

• Negroman // May 15, 2008 at 4:56 pm

  I agree with yardbroom.I have no regard for any women of other races.All of them are racist against black people.Indian women are the worst.
  The Black race has the most beautiful women in the world and black women must recognise that and stop believing that them are not as beautiful as women of other races.Black women with nice firm bosoms,big hips and nice thick juicy kissable lips.oh what a joy.Compare that with no shape flat bottom,no hips indians ,Europeans & chinese.
  Negroman do not need any other race of people to come into Barbados and disrupt our demographics. Barbados is black man country and we will maintain it this way by the last breath in our body.We do not need the uneducated.semi skilled,unskilled stupid ass Indo-Guyanese to come here and destroy this beautiful country like they destroy their own.
  Indo-Guyanese you all are not welcome in Barbados.Go home to your despise,God forsaken homeland.
  GET OUT & STAY OUT

• Anonymous // May 15, 2008 at 9:57 pm

  Ms Maxine Mcclean - Mr David Thompson;

  BEWARE!

  Barbados is about to erupt into racial conflict - if these indian guyanese with their racist tendencies are not sent back NOW!

  Enough of the pussyfooting.

  Bajans voted the dlp in because they wanted change - and we are not seeing it with these illegal guyanese pests.

  I am proud of negroman,yardbroom and others who are undaunted by the taunts and label of ‘racists’.

  Please barbadians contact the constituency office of the prime minister in st john as well as your parliamentary representative and complain IN LARGE NUMBERS - THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL THEY GET THE MESSAGE.

  Stop hiring these people,stop renting them rooms,call the immigration department if you find out they are living in the island illegally or are going to school here while their parents are here illegally.

  Most importantly,call the radio stations over and over and over again until the stations decide to deal with this matter.

• Negroman // May 16, 2008 at 5:48 pm

  Anonymous
  Thanks for the support.I will not be daunted by any labels or attacks by reactionaries clowns who are afraid to face the realities of what an influx of other ethnic groups could do to a country.
  Our parents and grand parents struggled & made too many sacrifices in building Barbados to what it is today for us to enjoy the sweets of their labour to handle it over lazy,no good,nuisances likes indo-guyanese to destroy.
  It is unfair.I believe that if the situation was the reverse the guyanese would not be not keen in opening their country for all to come in and enjoy at they expense.As a matter of fact in Guyanaat this moment Guyanese are crying out about the high influx on Brazillians coming over the border and buying land,and taking away jobs from Guyanese in Guyana.There is a big out cry in Guyana today.Even the Guyana Government expressed concerns about it and indicated that it would put measures in place to control the problem.
  The same guyanese want to condemn us and attach all type of labels to us because we are responding in this manner.The impression was given by our last leader Owen Arthur that Barbados was a free for all country.
  My observations in life dictate to me that where ever there is mixture between blcks and other ethnic groups we blacks get the worst end of the affair

• Miss Guyana // May 19, 2008 at 4:18 pm

  Those who know us love and it quite clean here that Barbadians are in love with Guyanese, for we are the country that gave the world beautiful Shakira Baksh, former Miss Guyana and Miss World 1st runner up, and Carifesta, uniting the people of beautiful Guyana withe the islands inthe sun. The region is coming and so are Austria, Japan, Indonesia, Morrocco and groups form the UK, USA, Canada and France, and the world is wtaching. Guyana Stadium is the place to be for it where the cultures of Guyana, Suriname and Cayenne will meet the region and the world. It’s a nosntop party that you so not want to miss. And just in case you become tired from all this partying we have got the GUYANA HILTON right next door to Guyana Stadium for your rest, relaxtion and fabulous Guyanese food. So come to Carifesta and be part of a festival that clebrates you. Come to Guyana and see for yourself. Guyana where Guyanese of East Indian, African.Brasilian, Portuguese, Amerindian, Chinese, English, German, Dutch and everyone celebrating our country at Carifesta.
  Remember GUYANA is a free and open country for all. And I am not saying that, but that is the ideal of late leader President, Dr. Cheddi and his dear former President Janet Jagan. Love N Unity, Peace N Harmony, hey hey hey

• Negroman // May 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm

  If we are in love with guyanese not Indo-Guyanese.It is the black Guyanese who look like the majority of us and who history is similar.
  Miss Guyana you sound like a Indo-Guyanese.You all do not have any thing to offer us only your bodies.
  Miss Guyana I want to know from you.What is the attraction in Barbados that is drawing so much of you all to come here at any cost?It is a puzzle.Do you ever ask what is wrong with your country that it is in some much turmoil
  The Guyanese people do not have much to offer the Caribbean that is why Guyanese are being mistreated in every Caribbean country that you go to live .I do not want to constantly bash and put down Guyanese but I think Guyanese should really face reality.Running from your country and making you all self nuisances in other countries will not solve the problems Guyana encountering today.I believe the goverment and the people of Guyana must work out a strategy to uplift and take Guyana to a level that the people will proud of it.Guyana is a beautiful country I like it and visit it at least twice a year.I have many black Guyanese friends and them are only type of Guyanese friends Iwant.I do not like indians and I will make that abundantly clear.I am proud to be a black racist.
  I believe that Guyanese should stay at home work hard and develop their country and do not leave it for the Chinese,Brazillians and Europeans to take away from you all.
  Go home and develop your country.Running away will not solve the problems it will only create more.

• Miss Guyana // May 19, 2008 at 5:56 pm

  WE ARE YOU! And as such we are family! Guyanese people grace the world stage with their beauty, FASHION,food and culture….whether it is talented Sonia Noel, Roger Gary or Michelle Cole-Rose..Guyana’s fashionistas to the world! WE DRESS THE REGION…..or Asha Blake ..the beautiful Guyanese news reporter for KTLA news in Los Angeles, USA…or Donna Short-Gill another Guyanese beauty who brightens the set of Guyana Today with her warmth and charm, or Nadia Dawn, another beautiful Guyanese actress based in Hollywood, or our handsome President Jagdeo, working hard ofr a better Guyana, or the one and ONLY CCH Pounder, that famous Guyanese movie star, or the late Geodfrey Cambridge who delighted the world with his humour, and of course Rihanna…one of us by default. Those who know us love us and we bring LOVE N UNITY….PEACE N HARMONY to the world, whether it is in the arts, music, comedy, entertainment or our world famous cusine….that is right CUSINE…people flock to Guyanese restaurtants to delight in our ecclectic cusine, be it Toronto, New York, Miami, Seattle, Chicago, Bridgetown, Paramaribo or Boa Vista….Come to GUYANA,,,,,,,It’s the place to be.. CARIFESTA…YOU & WE.

• Maliprop // May 19, 2008 at 6:14 pm

  Miss Guyana you sound like an out patient of a mental hospital.

• Miss Guyana // May 19, 2008 at 6:35 pm

  Mali, I AM GUYANA HAPPY… that is why I am an outpatient of the mad house…..You coming to CARIFESTA……..it’s in the air…..come and raise your the bautiful flag and celebrate OUR culture…GET INVOLVED…..and see you in August

• Miss Guyana // May 19, 2008 at 9:20 pm

  Hello Negroman. To answer your question….Barbados is a beautiful place with beautiful people and as such we GYanese like to come and holiday, but at the same time catch our hand….Oh, I beg to differ with your assertion that the Guyanese people have nothing to offer the Caribbean people…..you might have to eat those same words one day……as food crisis is upon the world, except Guyana…..Anyway, it’s sad that you don’t want to know us….your loss…not mine…….I like the one comment of how Guyanese can ride out a reccsssion unlike other peoples, so true….anyway, no one is running from Guyana…..we like to travel…..and this begs the question of why can’t you control your airport and harbours…..as to prevent the illegals from coming in……we have a bridge across the Takutu River form our city of Lethem to BonFim in Brazil and we are not upset that Brazilains stroll over to Lethem from Bon Fin….we welcome them….Bye

• Mac // May 20, 2008 at 8:06 am

  The majority of immigrants here are the one s
  who are poorly educated and the ones with the slum behaviours. I am not xenophobic however we must manage our immigration lest we become a place of slums despite our government best efforts to make us a developing country.The Guyanese,Vincentians and Jamaicans seem to be socialised the same you can find them outside the Fairchild Street bus stand aka Georgetown while the others from the other countries such as St.Lucians and Dominica are more docile and save their money rather than get drunk every Friday.

• JC // May 20, 2008 at 2:06 pm

  Call me a racist if you care to, I dont care.

  However, I have a suggestion to the Guyanese, Lets make a deal.

  I would like for you Mr. and Miss Guyana to give us Barbadians ‘your’ country, and we will allow all of your people to come here and live. However, there are some stipulations, when ya all leave, you are not allowed to reenter Guyana only as a tourist or a foreigner.

  I can bet you a zillion dollars, we will make your country the envy of the world. You want to know why, because with the little we have, we exceled. Therefore imagine that with all your resources your country has how we would shine. This is because we do not give up we fight for our causes and know that we have our children to fight for.

  Therefore there is no way that i will sit idly by and see you all guyanese who at the end of the day have some huge places to run and hide take away my son’s and daughter’s privieleges and make our lives harder than it is already.

  I know for a fact that I do not have the right to come into your country and take up space. I will never do it. Why? Because IT AINT BLASTED WELL RIGHT.

  I love being a Bajan, and yes i have 1 or 2 guyanese friends; and you can ask them, I always tell them to go back home and fight for their country. Cause it is THEIRS, will ya all all0w chavez and the beliezian people to take control of such a beautiful place. PLEASE, go back home ya all are sickening.

  I apolologise to no one for my statements. We do not need only labourers and prostittutes, we need hard working, educated persons to carry Barbados into the future.

• A True Believer // May 20, 2008 at 3:41 pm

  Do not apologise JC the truth is the truth. We going get releif soon. I know that this DLP goverment is going to bring laws to get rid of all the illegal indians about here.

• Negroman // May 20, 2008 at 4:49 pm

  Well said JC I support your views 100 % Get rid of the wicked no good Indo-Guyanese who bring only destruction and pain Go back home and develop your country.As JC said we need highly educated people who can handle the technology the world has to offer to help carry Barbados forward.
  Indo-Guyanese
  GET OUT & STAY OUT

• Miss Guyana // May 20, 2008 at 6:53 pm

  CARIFESTA is on, OUR COUNTRY, y/our culture…….the region is coming, the world is watching, so come and enjoy the 10 th Carifesta in GUYANA….THE BIGGER AND BETTER COUNTRY….GUYANA SO MUCH TO SEE AND LOTS TO DO……..

• Miss Guyana // May 20, 2008 at 6:58 pm

  JC, Please, ….you people could not deal with a few stranded Ghanaians who came on holiday, muchless survive a day in BIG SKY COUNTRY GUYANA….

• JC // May 21, 2008 at 11:35 am

  Miss Guyana u are talking bare crap. Imagine my blasted foreparents didnt have a lot and we achieved what you asses couldnt achieve and that is to SURVIVE. And you dare to say that we couldnt survive in your country spare ME. WE HAVE DONE THE UNACHIEVABLE and that is to do what Guyana has failed to done and that is to suceed at all cost and never give up. You will ask where is my proof.

  My blasted poroof is

  YOUR PEOPLE INVADING MY COUNTRY FOOL!

• JC // May 21, 2008 at 11:38 am

  PS

  Oh and you people could not deal with jim jones, my proof

  ‘him massacering many people RIGHT UNDER ya all blasted noses.’

  And then you dare to say we couldnt survive.

  p l e a seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
  spare me.

• Adrian Hinds // May 21, 2008 at 1:23 pm

  Miss Guyana;… so you know whenever i am in NY i always head down to the Richmond hill area and usually spend the day eating Guayanese dishes. But this will not change my view on the open door policy of guyanese immigration to Barbados. At the end of the day i am impartial to Bajan cooking, it’s all about the taste, and we don’t even have that many curry dishes. :D

  I love curry, and Dal and Achar, which i can get at any Indian restaurant.

• The scout // May 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm

  Miss Guyana,you want we PROUD Bajans to raise our flag in Guyana again an let the Guyanese pull it down and trample it in mud like they did a few years ago at South Dakota racing track. Unless your gov’t is prepared to debate the race problem in your country with us and stop sweeping things under the carpet, things would NEVER change. I have many afro- Guyanese friends and they are scared about the influx of indo- Guyanese here in Bim. It’s just a matter of time before something erupts. You know the slogan in Barbados “the best Guyanese,is a d–d Guyanese” That is awhful but that’s how bajans are thinking.

• The scout // May 21, 2008 at 4:10 pm

  Miss Guyanese let me tell you about Barbados. My grand-parents smelled HELL to develop this country to what it is. When I hear stories that they went through to get me/us to this stage, it is my NATIONAL DUTY to see that you and the rest like you don’t come here to change our culture, a culture that we MUST leave for our offspring. That’s why I’m willing to give my blood for my country and if you people start that same arrogant behaviour that you have in your country, bajans will retalliate and viciously too. I hope it would NEVER come to this but “the best Guyanese is a d–d Guyanese”

• Negroman // May 21, 2008 at 4:53 pm

  all i can say to scout is YEAH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

  We Bajans have your back. No way on God’s green earth will ya all suceed with your malice decit and greed.

  Scout, many people are realising it.
  D. Thompson and M. McClean do your jobs.

  Get rid of them we are tired of them and we know their capabilities.

  Anybody read a Saturday Sun 2 months ago.

  STUPES!~

• Negroman // May 21, 2008 at 4:55 pm

  The Scout & JC Negroman is behind you all 100%.I wil give my last drop of bloodl to protect Barbados from destruction. I,Negroman make no apologies whatsoever in saying that I hate Indo_guyanese with a passion.They hate blacks in Guyana and I am not stupid or naive to believe that Indo-Guyanese will come to black Barbados and love black people.I am not that gullible and so are many other black Barbadians. You all will not be able to treat black Barbadian the same way you all are treating my black Guyanese brothers & sisters.

  Please relax!

  David

• Miss Guyana // May 21, 2008 at 5:42 pm

  Goodness, I don’t know what to say……> as I don’t know what you all are talking about…..>Adrain….Yes you can get your curry and Dhal, and puris and achar at any Indian restaurant, BUT it will NOT have the flavour that you are accustomed to , since Indians from India do not know how to cook Indian food like Guyanese. In fact people have said the best Chinese food is from Guyana, and the best Indian food is from Guyana…So there….You must go Sybil’s too Adrian… there you will get authentic Guyanese pastries, such as patties, pinetarts, cheese rolls, salara, and chineecakes. , casava pone, conkee, guava tarts and all your Guyanese favourites. What is Barbadian food? I know our Cynthia, it tastes like home is over in Barbados teaching you all how to cook in the Guyanese style.

• Miss Guyana // May 21, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  Negroman,,, No body in Guyana hates anybody….that is a myth..spread by unpathriotic people. Guyanese don;t want to take over Barbados…why would we…we just come to help you all out….now it is your businesses that come and recruit us….yes they run ads on GUYTV starting come and meet us at the Le Meridian Hotel if you want to work in Barbados. And the people that trampled the BDS flag at South Dakota were really Brasilians, you know 30,000 of them in the country, they have shops and food places and hotels, and they are very pro Guyana…they love the country…any can be a bit rambucious.

• Anonymous // May 21, 2008 at 8:43 pm

  Miss Guyana is really sister baby.

  Can’t you recognisr her ramblings.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 8:33 am

  Miss Guyana
  Why would you want to leave your country to come to ours to “help us out” when you need all the help you can get there? Let’s get real, you have miles of unused land, why can’t the so-called farmers who would want to come here to work 2 or 3 acres just stay at home and develop home. We have been doing very well without you. The real reason is that you people see Barbados as a little U.S.A. I know of Guyanese who are here who are doing agriculture who were teachers, policemen, custom officers etc. who would not do that type of work in their country. We’re only 166 sq mls,there are islands in the esequibo river that are bigger or the same size as our little island and there are 366 islands in that river alone. Why would you want to leave all of that to come here. To HELP us? no darling; it’s GREED, you’re Indo-guyanese gov’t and people like them is who got there like that, and you’re bringing your same dirty habits here like squatting anywhere and live in shanties. We passe that stage years ago and I/we are not going to allow you or anyother “neighbours” to come here and take us back 30-40 years. NO WAY. Like the young people would tell you “wheel and come again”.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 8:50 am

  Miss Guyana
  Let me give you my resume. I lived and worked in Guyana, during the day Indo-guyanese would tolorate you at work but after work the same people would not even sit at the same table with you at dinner. If a Afro- guyanese and a Indo- guyanese becomes sexually active, the Indians community considers her as tainted. She becomes an outcast. One influential Indo- guyanese once told a few of us blacks at a party one night that he would shoot somebody because one of the guys made a remark to an Indo-guyanese who was not even in his group. According to him ” Indian rules”. This is just a little of my experience in your country. Don’t even try that in my country. I see Indo-guyanese as more racist than whites. You STINK. You believe you’re superior to blacks but I think you’re envious of us blacks. That’s the problem.

• JC // May 22, 2008 at 9:01 am

  I agree with every thing you say Mr. Scout and thanks for your first hand experience.

  You believe one time I was the first to say to give them a chance (that is when I was younger).

  However, now I have children and realise I must have principles and beliefs and as far as I am concerned. HERE BELONG TO WE. And if we choose people to come they should be persons of value.

  Persons who came from Guyana like Mrs. Allsopp and Ms. Gibson, and the list have gone on (mostly blacks) have proved their worth and to them I give them their respect for they have earned it.

  But no Indo Guyanese has proven his or her worth of salt. They just breed, pick fares, and claim to be skilled artisans.

• A True Believer // May 22, 2008 at 12:44 pm

  Indian women oily and sweet but it is time that the goverment get all of them indians out like Miss Ram. I dont understand what taking PM Thompson so long like he want to be a one term goverment.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 4:51 pm

  Like I said before, there are some Afro-guyanese who are 2nd generation bajan. Few of them are comiung here because this group is very industrious. it is the oppurtunist Indo- guyanese who would come here pretent to be anything you want and accept very low wages. Once they are established, then they start to show their colours, by then many bajans would be displaced by them. It hurts when I hear my own people cry down bajans but they only do this because they are ubder the Indo-guyanese spell. Lately I’m hearing a lot of people who believed in them beginning to complain. This is only the beginning. We have to nip it in the bud NOW before it’s too late.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 4:57 pm

  I’m appealing to this gov’t; let this njation have a national debate on this Indo-guyanese issue before it’s too late. We have the future of this country to protect. Look at Trinidad, that country was mainly black, now the indian influx and their breeding habits has changed the complexion of the country in everyway. I’m now afraid of going to that country.

• Negroman // May 22, 2008 at 5:02 pm

  Miss Guyana
  I read in the Kaieteur News today that a Nepalese soLdier was imprisoned in Guayan jails for illegal entry into Guyana for nearly a month.His case was only dealt with when it was highlighted in the press.His was in prison sick with all type of sores on his skin and was not receiving medical treatment.
  The interested thing about this whole situation was the response of Minister Clement Rohhee.He indicated that Guyana could hold illegal immigrants for an unspecified period of time and when the person is deported he has to provide his own airfare.
  This is the same Guyana Goverment that condemn Barbados and other Caribbean Countries about claims of illtreatment to Guyanese.
  Guyanese are attempting to enter Barbados with all type of bogus documents forge passports,wrong names and false work permits and in some cases illegal Guyanese living in Barbados are sending for their families and friends going to the airport and want our immigration authorities to let in those people.When our immmigration officials have to carry out ther duties all type of criticism is heap upont hem and all type of negative publicity is given about Barbados.
  The same way Guyana has a right to monitor the inflow of immigrants and who it will let into the country we in Barbados have that right also.
  DO NOT CONDEMN US WHEN GUYANA IS DOING THE SAME
  MISS GUYAN PLEASE RESPOND.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 5:02 pm

  I’m not being insular but just look at the names that are in the newpaper of those who are in the law courts in Barbados. Isn’t there a large increase of names that are not traditionally bajans names?

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 5:11 pm

  Negroman
  That is exactly the way Indo-guyanese behave. They think they are superior to other people especially blacks. I once had an altercation with one of them and he tried forging ahead of me in a bank line and when I had to reprimand him, his response was “indian rule”. I promply had to let him know that I’m no Afro-guyanese, I’m bajan and if he only push me again I would brek down inside the bank wid he. Obviously he backed off.

• The scout // May 22, 2008 at 5:12 pm

  Negroman
  That is exactly the way Indo-guyanese behave. They think they are superior to other people especially blacks.

• Negroman // May 22, 2008 at 5:19 pm

  The Scout
  I do not think a national Debate about the Indo_Guyanese situationwill ever happen and the true figure of the amount in Barbados will be known.I said that because I know for a fact that Voice of Barbados (VOB) wanted to carry about a programme about that issue sometime ago.I have proof of that because a very close friend of mine a former Minister in the last administration told that to me.Miss Ram of Firniture Limited fame told VOB do not bring that programme because Miss Ram and the other powerful Indian business groups in Barbados will boycott the radio station.As a result the programme had to be cancelled.
  The Scout if the governemnt of Barbados and I believe the Government will like to do something about it.Unfortunately it hands are tied.I suspect little will be done or the government will have to resort to covert activities not neccessarily bad ones to alleviate this situation.
  This is a very seriuos matter because it will affect the future of our children & grand children andI think we should not let up on this issue.I will continue to deal with issue until some form of action is undertaken.
  The Scout, You,JC,True Believer,Anonymous & all the rest of us MUST continue this attack on this issue.We should not let it die.
  NB I WANT DAVID ELLIS,VIC FERNANDES & THE REST AT VOB TO COME OUT CHALLENGE THIS STATEMENT

• Anonymous // May 22, 2008 at 5:38 pm

  Negroman,Scout,JC & Others

  I am asking you outright now,what have you done so far to educate yourself and your other fellow bajans about the disastrous consequences of this high number of indians continuing to remain in Barbados?

  Have any of you contacted your parliamentary representatives and in strong terms let them know of your objections to these high number of indo guyanese and other guyanese in our country?

  Have you done anything personally like informing the immigration where the illegal ones are,or not hire them for jobs or rent them houses/apts?

  We must let minister maxine Mcclean and David Thompson know that we want a temporary halt to permanent residency and citizenship for the time being until we get these illegal immigrant problem corrected.

  THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ONCE THEY HAVE A BAJAN PASSPORT THEN BAJANS WILL KNOW WHAT GOD THEY SERVING.

  Continue to call on VOB call-in shows and raise the issue of the fallout of these indians coming here in large numbers - and point out what is happening in Guyana,Trinidad and Surinam.

  Don’t let David Ellis or Michael Browne or Peter Wickham discourage you or try to throw you off track when they question you - just stick to your argument.

  If Michael Browne cuts you off then call back another day and demand that you be allowed the right to speak.

  If you don’t do that you will soon be second class citizens in your own homes.

• Anonymous // May 22, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  Negroman

  Have you noticed now that every Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. Veoma Ali is doing an indian programme sponspored by indian businesses with bare indian music?

  Now wha de shite I hearing doh!

  Imagine a christian country with an overwhelming black population and at prime time on a weekend we got dis shite coming over we radio.Hey,Hey,looka dis ting fuh me do nah.

  Blame Vic Fernandes (the indian woman lover) for that.

  That introduction of indian music is only the start to getting you accustomed to things indian and then sooner rather than later they will tell you well we are part of the culture so we want our own hindu schools,and our own indian holidays,and an indian senator etc etc.

  Remember David Thompson was the man who pushed out Patrick todd in 1999 for the indian man Patel to run for the city seat.

  Wunnah better start talking serious to David Thompson hear?

  I don’t know how you feel negroman and scout & JC but I feel it goin’ be some kinda mashing up bout here if this government don’t do something fast bout this immigration problem,especially the indian immigrants.

  No apologies for that!

• Diaspora-ite // May 22, 2008 at 7:15 pm

  “The scout // May 22, 2008 at 4:57 pm

  I’m appealing to this gov’t; let this njation have a national debate on this Indo-guyanese issue before it’s too late. We have the future of this country to protect. Look at Trinidad, that country was mainly black, now the indian influx and their breeding habits has changed the complexion of the country in everyway. I’m now afraid of going to that country.”

  Check your history. You make it seem as though the Indian presence in Trinidad is a recent thing. Following slave emancipation in 1834, large numbers of Indian indentured servants were brought to Trinidad from the sub-continent to work on the sugar plantations. Their numbers multiplied significantly, as did their economic clout. I’m not sure what the current demographic make-up of Trinidad is, but this is by no means a recent development as your post seems to imply. To say that Trinidad was “black” and that an “Indian influx” has changed the racial dynamic is quite a stretch.

• Miss Guyana // May 22, 2008 at 10:18 pm

  No, no, no, Minister Rohee is right in that persons who break Guyanese law will be dealt with severly. In the case of the Nepal man he entered Guyana illegally and with out an onward ticket, so GOG had every right to detain him….Why should the taxpayers of our country pay for an airline ticket for him to get back to Nepal considering that this person has broken Guyanese laws? There are others like him that have entered Guyana illegally from China, Nigeria, India, Domincan Republic.to name a few and they are dealt with in similar fashion

• Miss Guyana // May 23, 2008 at 1:02 am

  Gosh I can hardly wait to see Bollywood hits on my country’s NCN-Guyana TV. And I like the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Saba Show, and Dhamic Veda religious show, plus I like the the regular hit show like video hits with Wanita and Guyana Today and the 6:00 oc’clock news and IPED Show with with Carolotta.. I am Guyana Happy Yeah.

• Yardbroom // May 23, 2008 at 3:48 am

  If it is that, certain organizations will not advertise on VOB, if it runs specific programmes… fine, if that is the game they wish to play.

  Then, Barbadians “key” to all their ills is majority purchasing power; make it count, talk alone will serve no purpose.

  Spend your hard earned money with organizations you feel comfortable with… it is as simple as that.

  No fuss, no rancour, no antagonism, quietly “engage your minds”, and think of your children.

  Finance is the “engine” that drives events.

• Anonymous // May 23, 2008 at 3:51 am

  Bollywood Hits hosted by Sharon Bhola is a great show on NCN Guyana TV11. Lots of fabulous Indian actors and actresses singing and dancing. My favourite actor was Raj Kumur. He was a great actor and I always went to Liberty Cinema in GT to see him in the lastest Bollywood flicks. I am so happy I am Guyanese because I have wide understanding of different cultures, without forsaking my own. I like Metamgee and pepper pot and chowmein, but I can curry and roti everyday.

• Yardbroom // May 23, 2008 at 5:18 am

  Some issues are so important and fundamental, they cannot be reduced to curry, roti and whatever good that those might be…even entertainment.

  The issue here is trying to preserve what Barbadians have. How others conduct their affairs - entertainment and diet - is of little conern to me…I wish them well.

  I have no argument with their culture, way of life and general practices. Barbadians just want their own space, to live in peace and harmony without inviting circumstances; which could lead to decay and violence.

• The scout // May 23, 2008 at 8:25 am

  Anonymous
  I have spoken to my Parl. rep, I’ve spoken to many of my friends and parishioners; I will never rent anything to them(that’s another topic). Let me tell you, to no avail, I’ve been called all kind of nagative things BY MY OWN PEOPLE. I’ve brought to the attention of the authorities of areas where Indo-Guyanese were squatting and dumping their waste in the ground they were working. The problem continues. i was even threatened by phone and I reached the point where I kept quiet because I thought I was beating my head on a wall. All the time things are just getting worse. I once heard some Indo-guyanese saying some of the worse things ever about “stupid bajans”. I am prepared to be a martyr for my family and my country. God bless this great nation of ours and may it remain here for our children and their children.

• The scout // May 23, 2008 at 8:33 am

  It’s just a matter of time before we start celebrating all those Guyanese festivals. Walk up Browne’s Beach or by Fairchild St. on fridays “muf Indo-guyanese music”. When we celebrate our independence, our national service is punctuated by a lot of funny religious prayers. Are we still a christian society? I’m afraid, we are losing our way. Where is our PRIDE?

• Anonymous // May 23, 2008 at 9:18 am

  Gosh you are sure a hateful lot, considering that you are a Christian society. Goodness, give me the Hindu religion anyday and keep me away from Christians. You are not losing your way, you are just becoming cosmopolitan, like your neighbours to the South., Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname. Look there are 30,000 Brasilians in Guyana, just wait and see in a few more mornings you will see them setting off by the planeloads in Bridgetown. The word is not out yet, they still getting use to GT, they probably don’t even know where Timehri Airport is located, but just give it time, they will discover the Land of the Flying Fish, you will see.

• JC // May 23, 2008 at 9:50 am

  I am not lying, I support this government at this point of time. However, take warning young people are not foolish and if we dont see changes bout here. It will be cat piss and pepper bout here take warning Mr. Prime Minister.

  We are under threat BAJANS.

• Anonymous // May 23, 2008 at 5:07 pm

  Scout & JC

  Thank you for your patriotism.

  Many will not understand what we are saying,but guess what people didnot understand Marcus Garvey or Martin Luther King when they too sounded the alarm about various issues - because they were ahead of their times and had vision.

  They saw into the future - down the road - what the short sighted people could not see.

  Lets hope our government is not myopic.

  Don’t give up Scout and others,little by little our people will see the light.However don’t forget that there are some who have vested interests in having these people remain in our country.

  Whether it’s some of the immigration officers,whether it is the employer of these people or whether it’s iggrunt bajan men who like ‘long hair’.

  On another point,I want to stand today in defence of Barbados Underground from the criticism labelled against it by the Barbados Free Press.

  I think it was unseemly and uncharitable for the BFP to make the charges it did against BU and I am reminded of that old saying - ‘first take the beam out of your eye before you look at the splinter in someone else’s eye’.

  The truth is - BFP as described by themselves are with perhaps the exception of 2 - not black but can be described as either white or mulatoo.

  I understand that even though they may try valiantly to understand what some black bajans are saying they may not totally understand where they are coming from.

  While at times raising the issue of racism - they seem to want to do so in circumscribed ways.

  But we all know the topic of race and race relations is a messy thing and one can be temid and expect to just want to tip ones foot in the water when you open that pandora’s box.

  BU has always allowed its contributors to discuss their views freely and with little censorship as possible ( sometimes to the chagrin of some) - this unlike the administraors at BFP.

  I appreciate them both - But my strongest admiration goes to the team at Barbados Underground for the way they have fearlessly undertaken to discuss those ‘touchy ‘ issues like homosexuality,racism and the indian problem,and even the declining morals in our society.

  They have been labelled all kinds of things but they have taken the criticism and kept on ticking like the ever ready bunny.

  Hurrah for the blogs and a special Hurrah for BU.

  Already bajans have been complaining that they cannot raise the indo guyanese issue at VOB,at the Nation newspaper and now it seems they also might be restricted in how they do so at BFP.

  Without you where would we be BU?

  Barbados Underground rocks!

• Yardbroom // May 23, 2008 at 5:56 pm

  In recent days, Barbados Underground has had a large volume of hits. This is because it has highlighted “human interest ” topics. It is true when topics are featured, in which people feel passionate about, the temperature will be raised.

  To equate what has happened or is happening on distant shores, as indicative of what can happen in Barbados. Would be right if the histories and culture of the countries involved were similar.

  In terms of violence, one has not got to look far afield to see it. In our area - the Caribbean - violence is being used, with specific reference to the topic being discussed.

  You should not seek to stifle democratic debate, on the basis it will encourage violence. If individuals are not allowed to express “opinions” in debate what other lawful measures do they have to express themselves. Which can bring about change.

  What has caused this sudden change of events?

  I believe it is simply that a commenter on Barbados Underground has said that they - up to now - are free to spend their hard earned money at organizations which they feel disposed towards…and only those.

  Further, that people could freely without anger or violence choose to take action in their own interest. This has caused major concerns… and so it should.

  It is for the Authorties to take appropriate action to the perceived problems, as seen by Barbadians.

• Bim rush // May 24, 2008 at 12:37 am

  Let me add my two cents to Indo-guyanese debate. I dont agree dealing with this matter on basis of colour. Although its a truism that most races hate us blacks I believe we dont have to go that route. As Bajan nationalists with high moral principles our policies must be non racial and legally sound.

  If we legislate proper immigration laws along with what is already in place and most importantly enforce them we would not have to worry about masses of undocumented Indo- Guyanese or any other ethnic illegals. Owen Arthur blasted immigration officers for doing their jobs. Guyanese illegals used Arthur’s obscene interference in the work of the immigration department to their advantage. Jagdeo went public saying Arthur was a great friend of the Guyanese.

  This DLP administration must ensure the immigration department does its job properly, fairly and without the distasteful politicism Arthur brought. No special treatment for Guyanese or anyone else. No one above the law.

  I dont agree with any witch hunt for Indo -Guyanese. My observation of them is they are clannish and dont mix with blacks. But the same holds true of white locals and we have tolerated them for centuries. Live and let live. Our immigration policies though have to sharpened and modernised to meet globilisation.

  Blacks have made Barbados the best governed black nation on earth. We have much going for us. The Guyanese or whoever is here with legal status whether Indo or black should have nothing to fear. The undocumented ones are breaking our laws and must be dealt with accordingly. Norman Faria would do his Guyanese flock the greatest service by advising them to obey the law.

• The scout // May 24, 2008 at 8:02 am

  Bim rush
  What you’re saying is true but I invite you and anyother, to do a history on Indo-guyanese migration and report back to BU, your findings.
  Only after that would I give mine.

• JC // May 26, 2008 at 11:02 am

  yesterday I was on Browne’s Beach and the Guyanese the fighting like dogs. When the police come on the scene they disappeared into the Guyanese shop on Bay Street.

  Many people thought it was funny, including my boyfriend and son. I didnt think so, because sooner rather than later this negativity will spill into my community. Somebody will now claim that Bajns get on bad too.

  But ya want to know what, we dont need the additional negativity.

  If that is how they are going to get on then go back home and now.

• Anonymous // May 26, 2008 at 11:24 am

  Todays article in the Nation newspaper has me increasingly convinced that the David Thompson administration does not intend to change the course re the guyanese set by the Arthur administration.

  Why you ask am I under this impression?

  Listening to Chris Sinckler and the loud silence by David Thompson himself - there seems to be a rush either not to offend or to appease this group.

  Chris Sinckler who is known to put his foot in his mouth - big time- is quoted today as saying that Guyanese should be given the human rights of free education and free health when in