Race, Class and Environment
in Barbados
by
Valerie Hoyte
History101/051, Professor Seenarine, April 13, 1999
Walking through Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, one could see the remains of
colonial history. Lord Nelson (a British soldier) dwarfs Trafalgar Square with authority,
yet his contribution to this small nation is non existent. Trafalgar Square, Drax Hall and
other popular street names pay homage to the country that once colonized it. The buildings
still preserve their English architecture like they are scared to cut loose, Barbados is
still obedient to the crown. The country has changed and its inhabitants are more
autonomous than their ancestors but they too, are still brain washed in the ways of the
English. Many still like to boast of their connection to the "Mother Land",
shouting that she has set them free like it was not their right as humans to be free.
England had freed Barbados yet a lot of the 18th century
rules of gender continues to be indoctrinated on Bajan shores. God created man, they say
and then Eve followed at a distance. She was made from his rib and so she owes him her
life. Women generally were treated in this submissive manner. Times have changed but the
attitudes of people have remained static. Women’s place in this world is still to be
subservient to the man regardless of her position in society. Colonialism still reigns and
influences passiveness in Barbadian women.
The women’s movement emerged in the United States amid a growing
concern for equality of the sexes and to be treated with fairness and respect in the work
place. Women were tired of being stepped on by husbands, employers and most of all they
were tired of ideologies that were handed down by colonial rule via their Ancestors. In
the early 18th century a woman’s place was in the home, her obligations
were to her husband, children and lastly herself. Marilyn French states, "When women
have attempted to gain something the oppressors themselves needed or wanted, they have
been seen as willy, calculating and deceitful, when they insisted on their own needs and
desires they have been seen as willful bitches, selfish monsters and demonic
castrators"(1986,p.131). Women were not allowed to express their need to walk from
behind their husband’s shadow. The movement in the U.S. spread its wings like a bird
and it reached Barbadian shores however it was not received with enthusiasm like it did in
the U.S. As a matter of fact it created a lot of animosity, however, one woman who was
influenced by the movement was Carmeta Frazier.
Carmeta Frazier was one of the founders of the National Organization of
Women. This Organization was more or less in response to the movement in America. She
realized that the vast dichotomy between the sexes had created a chasm of disrespect of
women, both at home and in the work place. Because of this she felt that Barbadian women
needed to assert themselves. This was met with hostility from both sexes; women saw her
attitude as very "male," she was too assertive and too strong and men saw her as
a home wrecker and labeled her (as) a wicker (a Bajan term for lesbian). Carmeta Frazier
had the reputation that Oprah Winfrey acquired during the early 1990s as a male basher.
Men said Ms. Frazier had a "raw" deal with a man and hence
her reaction to empower women. Men in general felt that she was trying to usurp the role
of the woman and turned women into men without penises. One thing that was very noticeable
was the way in which the situation was dealt with. The very vocal ones were the everyday
man on the street, but when Ms. Frazier appeared on radio the male interviewers diverted
the questions from female empowerment to more harmless topics such as, how to bake a cake
or to cook a dish that would sate a man’s appetite. I can still recall the way she
would divert all of these questions to a woman’s advantage by telling women how they
can turn their cooking skills into a lucrative business, thus breaking the mode of being
only a house wife. Many did not understand Ms Frazier’s concerns but French sums it
up nicely when she says that, "The territory of the earth, once shared by all people,
was carved up and appropriated by an elite group of men. They turned the earth’s
goods, including women, into property at their disposal"(French, 1986, p. 131). This
treatment of (black) females go all the way back to Slavery when the colonizers denied
women their rights. They (Colonizers) felt that women should and must pay allegiance to
their oppressors (Masters).
It is almost the end of the 20th century and we are headed
towards the new millennium. Allegiance now must be paid to new Slave Masters. The Tourist
Industry has monopolized the Barbadian economy. Sugar which had dominated the market has
become a minor force in the market because of technology and a much more sophisticated
education for its residents. The Tourists Industry is however owned and controlled by the
British, who once colonized us. Management includes the British elite who stays in their
air conditioned spacious offices and dish out orders. Tight control is kept on the staff
without the staff even realizing it. What is done is that black males who are not often
qualified or experienced are given a crash course on the criteria of the hotel. They are
basically taught how to keep females in check. Hilary Beckles says that "Drivers had
to prove themselves capable of extracting an impressive amount of labor and discipline
from their gangs" (1989,p. 37). This same tactic is used today to exert authority and
obedience . Men are falsely lured by the "gang driver" title (Supervisor), and
to prove to their masters that they are worthy they make the lives of the females
unbearable. This is done through mental and physical abuse.
She had not been on the job for more than two weeks when
"Yvette" (a pseudonym) was summoned to the food and beverage Manager’s
office. Upon entering, she was pounced on like a lion upon its prey. She was caught off
guard and did not quite know what to make of this stranger’s hand making its way up
the crotch of her underwear like a snake. Her reflexes were good and she caught him in
mid- flight. Her puzzled look was rewarded with a down play of the issue. She was told if
she wanted to keep her job she had better be good to him. One critic shows the degradation
of a woman’s character and how she is often characterized with animals says,
"Their beastiality makes them lustful and voracious"(French, p.131; professor
Seenarine Lecture1999). Yvette’s case is not isolated because many women in the hotel
industry have experienced this; for example, in the 1980s I worked in the Hotel Industry
for a brief period of time and basically encountered the same type of harassment and abuse
that Yvette and Pam had faced and no one wanted to hear about it. I was basically treated
like I had a very deadly and contagious disease. I got physically sick until I removed
myself from the situation. If questioned, one would see that more than three- fourths of
the female workers in Barbados suffer at the hands of their superiors, but this is not
confirmed anywhere because it is ignored and accepted by members of society. Those small
amount (maybe 0.5%) of women who speak out are labeled as trouble makers and are often
dismissed by some charge that is later concocted.
The great Bob Marley in his song titled, "Redemption Song"
says that people should "Emancipate themselves from mental slavery." Marley
understood the excess baggage that this generation of "Blacks" and minorities in
particular would be carrying around, because for many years they have been systematically
brain washed. Women have not totally erased the dregs of slavery, or their loyalty to
those in authority over them. In the process of loyalty to employers they forget an
important issue, the issue of allegiance to themselves. When asked about abuse and
harassment in the work place many women shrug it off, or adopt a nonchalant attitude.
While many of them never openly discuss it, you can tell it still lurks in the background
as a reminder of what can and does happen. Living in a society like America where freedom
reigns and laws against this type of treatment are instituted (laws that came about in the
past few years), it is easy to become somewhat ethnocentric and judge these women by
sophisticated American standards. Many would say that these women have choices and are
responsible for this inhumane treatment, but according to Colin Palmer, Professor of
African History, "650 million people came out of Africa and were spread throughout
the world" ( Lecture March 17, 1999) These enslaved Africans had no choice in the
diaspora or in the events that changed their lives and neither do these females.
What are choices if they become complex with agendas? These women are
told to give in and keep their jobs or if they object they can go home. Either way they
end up being the losers. Despite the type of "Choices" they have, what can
society expect from these unfortunate souls? If a woman is given a "Choice"
which basically says, "Do you want to feed your children and pay your bills,"
she will choose to take care of her responsibilities and suffer the consequences of the
injustices she face. So what a sometimes unsympathetic and cruel society sees, are women
whose choices in this type of abusive environment are overrated and should not be thus
labeled (as) choices.
The British hotel managers are more discrete in their approach to abuse
and harassment, but their subtlety do not make it more correct or less damaging. During
Slavery colonial masters raped their slaves and it was their right because women was
considered property and raping them was no crime. Today, women are offered a situation
where they can move up from the restaurant to the reception desk or the reservation
department, this type of transition happened a lot during Slavery. Domestics were relieved
that they did not have to work in the fields because field work was laborious and the
rewards were nothing. Today when a woman is given the opportunity to move into the
"Big House" (reception and reservation) she finds this to be a very attractive
deal; After all, would a person rather do the really tough job like the field workers or
would that individual enjoy the so called luxury of the big house? One other source
"Sandra," said that while working in the reception, she was approached by the
owner of the hotel, and he told her if she would consent to an occasional tryst he would
offer her a job in the Virgin Islands at a new sister hotel. Those few women like Sandra
who are offered these deals, very rarely turn them down because it is sometimes the only
way to elevate themselves into a better paying and less hard working position. This type
of brain washing leads to many false hopes and promises that do not often materialize.
Many women are flattered not only of their potential rise to the
"Top" but are hopeful that a white Englishman would even look their way.
Sometimes in these cases a promotion is not even necessary. Beckles mentions an enslaved
woman called "Old Doll" who procreated only with white men and instilled this
knowledge in her children until the family became white. Beckles shows that "They
became increasingly whiter as a result of miscegenation" (1989,p. 66). This is not to
imply that this type of interbreeding is actively taking place today but it does shows the
psychology of the women. These women like Old Doll feel that white(man) is right and he
can and will be the protector of them. They more often feel that he will take care of
their financial needs. White men (and women) are still a novelty to Barbadians and women
and men yearn to be a part of that "Magical" mystique. Not only do these females
boast about having the "Owner" of this or that hotel, unfortunately their ride
on the glory train comes with a price.
The price for sleeping with Massa is often very costly. He is more
careful than his ancestors not to leave a trail of babies behind. During the enslavement
of American women it was very cost effective for the master of a plantation to breed his
wenches. This was a guaranteed way of increasing labor and his wealth. A woman’s
purpose between 1640-1770 was to basically reproduce(Beckles,1989,p.90).
Today it is not necessary for the white "master" to increase
his offspring; besides, laws that are instituted in the more developed countries provides
for children born in and out of wed lock.
Contraception and other forms of birth control maybe contributing
factors to the decrease of reproduction. Many women naively misjudge his lust for care and
believe that the tender moments between them are actually special and (are) personal. As a
result of this, many give up old relationships that had withstood many storms because they
sometimes wonder why they should bother with the old and the familiar. When an associate (
Pam)had given up everything and everyone for Mr , after two months of bliss she was
abruptly stopped from taking in those unnecessary amounts of coffee to his office.
Families are often separated or broken apart by there types of relationships. The white
man preserves his family and separate that relationship from his work relationship;
however, women tend not to be able to juggle both. This is quite understandable because
Seenarine has often stressed that the African woman is not promiscuous despite the fact
that she is often seen as a sex fiend (lecture, 1999). Pam at first thought it was his
wife’s visit to the island but the wife’s departure proved her reasoning false.
When this young woman approached this man, she was told it was a part of life and to get
over it. This brings to mind the old saying that there is a time under the sun for
everything, a time to love and a time to hate. His season of love was over. She said that
two nights later he was in the company of a dancer, another one who was being led to the
slaughter by him. She learned the consequences of affairs in the work place. More
importantly she learned the role of the black female in an industry that is controlled by
the white minority, who holds so much power that everyone closes their eyes with their
hands. Pam realizes that lodging a complaint with the Board of Tourism and the Labor Board
would amount to nothing, they would basically see her complaint as that of a jilted lover
and not one of an employer exerting his power over his employees for sexual favors.
The hotel industry in conjunction with the Barbados Government
perpetuates this type of abuse, the former does it and the latter allows and tolerates it.
Many hotels institute a policy preventing the staff from "Fraternizing with the
guest," yet there is a lot of fraternizing between management and staff which comes
as a result of coercion. The "Industry" is at the top of the food chain and
everything feeds off of it. The department stores, taxi service, restaurants and all other
businesses are greatly dependent on this giant and the Barbados Government is very aware
of this.
There is rioting going on in Jamaica at this moment, this comes as a
result of the high prices and taxes that are placed on gasoline. Jamaicans through active
forms of resistance decides to fight for what they believe in. This will seriously hurt
the Jamaican Tourist Industry and depending on the length of the riots, they could stand
to loose millions of dollars. The American Government has issued warnings to travelers and
many airlines have suspended flights to the country. Publicity like this could affect
Barbados if workers reacted this way, and they cannot afford it. The government amass
millions of dollars in taxes from these businesses and are very cognizant that the country
has very minimal natural resources. So they rely on the upkeep and reputation of the hotel
industry. Creating a stink would not only damage the industry but may cause many business
men to move out of the country or to make them think twice about investing in the country,
this would affect the economy and would result in serious job loss. It is the result of
this monopoly that has caused politicians to disregard the going ons behind the scenes.
Government basically avoid the issue of harassment because in their estimation it is not
very important, it keeps businesses in Barbados and the businessmen very happy so
"cie la vie". It is easy to see how the machine works and if sympathy can be
found then one can feel some empathy about the situation politicians find themselves in.
Politicians at the same time need to realize that even though a country is dependent on
businesses so are the businesses dependent on the country. The interdependence of the two
creates lots of cash for both. At the same time one must realize that more than anything
the upkeep of the country comes from the toil and sweat of those at the bottom. Government
then needs to institute laws that protect it’s workers.
The rioting in Jamaica was intended to bring about change because the
citizens felt somewhat abused by the political system. For some gentle souls this form of
resistence was too extreme. But to those who understand the concept of creating change,
knows that picketing and letter writing would not have a powerful effect. Change means
sometimes making sacrifices. The Jamaican Government realized that they stood to loose
millions of dollars because their Tourist Industry was threatened by violence and this
helped to force the Government to listen to the people. This is all said to demonstrate
that sexual harassment and other forms of abuse in the workplace can be stopped if women
create a united force. They too can force Government to listen to them by not voting or
better yet adopting the ideas of those irate Jamaicans. Someone once said, "If you
don’t stand for something you would fall for anything"(source unknown). Our
Jamaican neighbors refused to fall for Government’s whip lashing.
Live and let live is the cry of many and the old cliche "If it
isn’t broken then don’t fix it" comes to mind. The country is moving on an
even keel and the economy is somewhat stable. Women are moving from the fields and are
moving up the ladder and gaining some status. How she arrives at the top is totally
irrelevant to many and sometimes even to herself. She holds the details of her passage
close to her heart like a loss child, the memories hurt but they are a part of her. A
woman’s passive attitude sometimes come from her given choices in life and the
position in which she is placed. Women sometimes feel that speaking out is a waste of time
since no one is listening and so they often remain mute and suffer quietly. Barbados is
free but the question to be asked is, what does freedom mean to the women who live there?
The answers may shock the listener.
In summation, it is apparent to see that it is not always paradise in
paradise. Behind the facade of swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches lies evil. Women
are harassed and abused in the hotel industry everyday, but this is ignored by the
Government and the Board of Tourism because they are scared to "Rock the boat".
Because they are no laws to protect them and the need to hold on to their jobs, women have
become silent and complacent. Yvette, Sandra and Pam are very few to compare with the
thousands of women who suffer at the hands of their superiors daily. Those three women
have moved on but their memories remain clear like a summer’s day. Things have
changed from Slavery to the present but the change has not been that impressive. Our women
have suffered then and are suffering now. Remnants of the British presence can be seen
everyday and can definitely be felt through their dominance in the work place, in our
government and in the lives of those they affected.
Poem
Abused!
I prayed for darkness
So I could crawl between the sheets,
But worries kept me from the unconsciousness
That I hope would take over
So I can forget my day,
Dealing with warped minds,
And uninvited attention
I just cringe,
As my skin took on a movement of it’s own.
The hair on my body stood straight and tall,
I was scared to be alone,
For fear that I may pass out
From stress and the problems that
Wrecked havoc on my sensitive middle,
Slowly I drift into that subliminal state
Just wishing tomorrow would never come.
(Hoyte, 1994)
Writer’s note. Harassment is too subtle a word to be used. It
merely implies fooling around and does not show the emotional stress that women faces.
Abuse then has been used interchangeably in the essay for effect and to get my point
across.
Beckles, Hillary McD.(1989). National Rebels: a social history of
enslaved Black women in Barbados. New Jersey: Rutgers university press.
French, Marilyn. Beyond Power: on women, men, and morals.
(1986). New York: Ballantine Books.
Hoyte, Valerie. (1994 ). "Abused"
Marley, Bob.(1980) "Redemption Song". New York: Tuff Gong.
Island Records Inc.
Palmer, Colin.( 1999). "African Diaspora" Lecture. Hunter
college:
Pam personal interview 1998.
Sandra ( pseudonym ) personal interview 1994.
Seenarine. (1999) lecture, "Breeding of wenches".
Yvette personal interview 1999.
