STOP SEEING NEGATIVES, FOCUS ON POSITIVES
DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE
MARCH 10, 2006
This week, the discussion continued in Barbados on the “Negrocrats,” and whether they practice Cryto Racism causing them to be Xenophobic. This led me to reflect on a question asked of me by a fisherman and a labourer about the behavior of some persons who regard themselves as “people persons.” This reminded me of an ad which tells you that “you can give up being a fisherman, but you do not have to give up taste.” These persons have ignored taste depending on the groupings with whom they are associated at the time. If you invite them to a rice and stew party, the rice grains and stew must be right, but at a cocktail party taste is not important, it is who is providing it and who cooked it.
After being educated about “Negrocrats” by a fisherman and labourer, I was better informed of what a Negrocrat is and who is best suited to talk about it, like it and hate it. Well you know, I believe in the 3’s so I said that the same way we have the poor, middle class and the rich, then it means if we have Negrocrats, we must have three types.
It is also acknowledged by me that it I am going to write about the observations of the Prime Minister, then I have to put myself in a category of Negrocrats, considering I have already stated that I have no problem of being an off spring of a slave and that we should stop seeing all negatives and focus on the positives too.
We Negroes can be Negrocrats by birth, education or by wealth creation. How can you determine a Negrocrat? By the way he behaves or is accepted in society or the money or education he has. Some Negrocrats can appreciate the fisherman by the amount of food that is provided by him, but cannot be in the same direct area as them unless they are seeking a favour. They pretend that they are all for the masses, yet they practice Crypto Racism, then pretend to suffer from Xenophobia and try to fool the masses that they too understand and are working towards new systems in their interest.
For the past few years, we have been speaking a lot about Republican State of Government for Barbados. This charge has been led by persons who would want you to believe that the Right Excellent Errol Barrow did not know what he was doing when he gave us Independence without interfering with our relationship with the Queen as Head of State. They speak as if they are not aware that even though a lot was taken from us during the years when sugar was king, that it was of the same fact that enabled us to be so advanced today.
These same persons who would want the masses to believe that capital is bad can be found wining and dining with the same said persons when they would want the masses to believe are no good. They believe that their opinions are the only ones that mater and that the masses should vote to propel their beliefs even if it means creating regression and not progression.
If you want to see them at work, then Oistins and Moon Town are two areas where you can monitor their behavior. Do they associate with those who provide the fish they consume? Instead, they hobnob with the same persons who they create Xenophobia about, and the same persons that one would easily believe that they are practicing regression Crypto Racism against. If you want to see them at work, monitor them this weekend.
I have already said that I have no problem with cocktail parties, but I enjoy rice and stew parties, because I know that grease comes in the gravy and not in every item. I have a problem of having to ask questions of the persons serving, about the content of the hors d’oeuvres, because I do not believe that I should eat snake, alligator, mountain chicken, crocodile, snails and exotic items base on class to prove to anybody that I have the qualities of a Negrocrat.
It is my hope that those who read would not conclude that I am trying to create confusion in the minds of the public about how they should see the Whites of Barbados, since it is not the talk, but the walk that matters. It is also my hope that the masses understand that they should not allow themselves to be used by persons who pretend that they have a problem with the present system because it did not serve their interest.
This world is about what is in it for me. We have to understand and appreciate that Barbados is part of the world and that they are persons who would secretly ill treat their own, while at the same time criticizing other s for treating their fore-parents badly.
What is needed in Barbados is for us to come together as one, appreciating that once we put our heads together, we can conquer the world. We should rid ourselves of Xenophobia and Crypto Racism, while seeing nothing wrong with being a Negrocrat for our country, as it is only an advancement for being Negro. It is not the colour of a man’s skin, but where that man is going. A term can only be derogatory if you live it, but if you excel, it becomes a positive.
I have been called a lot of things, but I have not allowed them to reverse my thoughts. I have strived from converting negativity to positiveness. Trust me the measurement is greater.
Peace, love, unity, humility, wisdom and understanding.
(Denis Kellman is the Member of Parliament for St. Lucy, Barbados)