Yesterday Adrian Green, a Facebook friend and poet put up a status that immediately caught my eye:
“So...My sun...who is the most amazing 5 yr old in the world, was not accepted at Hilltop Preparatory School in Barbados because he has locs. Via Ayesha NuRa”
Admittedly I commented under the status “Ridiculous!" and went on with my day; but it rested heavy on my spirit. So I visited his page today to see if there had been any new developments. There I noticed he had shared a note written by the child’s mother Ayesha NuRa on Facebook: 'A Mother's Account of Discrimination at Hill Top Preparatory School' (http://www.facebook.com/notes/ayesha-nura/a-mothers-account-of-discrimination-at-hill-top-preparatory-school/10150285272671623 ).
“They said that I can’t go to that school because I have locs… but, I don’t want to cut my hair, Mommy.”
Honestly, I am livid.
I know many will say there are two sides to every story and this account should not be taken as gospel. Rightly so, but there is also no denying that this type of thing happens to young and old in numerous fields and situations who chose to wear locs. Truthfully, the issue is bigger than the Hill Top allegations... it extends to the undertones throughout our society... the undeniable prejudices. So whether or not the mother's account is true - there are still BIG problems to be addressed.
Personally, I have had people tell me what a bright future I have ahead of me and in the same breath tell me to cut my locs in favour of a hairstyle "more becoming" of an attorney-at-law. And when I respond in all of my fiery passion about how ridiculous a concept it is that in this day and age my opportunities could legitimately be limited by the style of my hair DESPITE my ability, I am told quite simply “That is just the way it is.”
THAT IS THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE WE LET IT BE SO!!
Locs are only good on models or coconut men in tourism promo campaigns for that exotic look??!!!
Do not tell me the world see’s XYZ a particular way. WE ARE THE WORLD!!
STOP ACCEPTING IT! That is the first step to changing what we acknowledge as “not right but just the way things are”.
I am not even going to approach this issue of locs from a legal perspective (and I could). This is an issue that can be determined on a far simpler level – one of right and wrong.
I read the piece by the mother FIVE times, then shared it on my personal Facebook & Twitter as well as WDA page. One of these posts immediately generated some feedback, specifically one from a Cole Tanner that read and I quote:
“I am a teacher, UWI hons graduate and a former cadet officer... and ....I have locks... I am not a rasta, I don't smoke... But I do get followed around by security in Channel Supermarket in Deacons Road each and everytime I shop there which makes me laugh my head off... But really it's not funny”
Why is this still acceptable?
And I want to take the discussion even beyond locs to the innate racism floating in the air in Barbados.
Do you know how many times I have witnessed a change in tone, approach and attitude in customer service based on the colour of the customer’s skin?
Ever noted how little races in Barbados really mix? How do you manage to accomplish that is a country that is 93% black?
Even among black people, we have created something akin to a caste system – the lighter the better. “Good hair” is curls and waves. “Pretty eyes” are a huge plus. You are generally considered to be more attractive the less ‘black’ you look.
Honestly I am going to stop writing now because some things cannot be expressed in words but let me just say how very sad it is to see manifested in plain sight just how indoctrinated with self-hate black people remain. Thick layers of colonial residue still colour our judgment and dictate our attitudes and actions. The injustices we perpetrate against each other are worse than the atrocities others have done to us because we know better yet do no better.
I pray for a day when my people learn to truly be free.
2 comments:
I loved this! And it's soo true. There's this saying floating around our little island (and if you attend any educational institution you'd see exactly how true it is): "Every white person in Barbados knows each other. " They tend to stick together but we seem to be too stupid to do the same! Smdh...
When will we learn? It reminds me of the black idiot the plantation owner would use to keep the other slaves in check, the one who punished his fellow people, the one who followed on his master's heel begging for attention and affirmation that "yes, you are a good little slave." My blood is boiling, m head in hot and I thank God tomorrow is church.
This article is on point.I've noticed the discrimination rampant in our society as well. If you as someone with dark skin are out with a friend who has a lighter complexion it is as though you don't exist for most men.
As a Barbadian living abroad, I've come to realize that shadism exists among almost all non-white cultures while ironically the whites are killing themselves in tanning salons trying to get a tan.
I've recently had a revelation that the only person's approval you need is God's. It doesn't matter what some other silly people think or how they feel about you. Why live your life in such bondage.
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