So many questions A compilation of interviews by Mary Yearwood
It is said you are different. Are you? It is? Isn’t everyone? I kind of question everything and try not to be part of any herd. A lot of conventional wisdom is not wisdom and some things repeated constantly are just nonsense. I think it’s good to try to look from different angles. Regarding the post, I would just say I have, maybe, a different take on the job. I am less about the pomp and ceremonial side and much more about connecting with as many people where there are, the various sectors and levels including but also outside of the traditional, and trying some new things. Not sure if all of that sort of thing is different, but if it is, I think it’s a good thing.
Did you have a ‘regular’ childhood? Well, I am not sure what you mean by “regular”, but it was normal for that time and was pretty good. I was raised by my grandparents in Mile & Quarter, St. Peter. I had a great upbringing. Ma was special. Back then, it was an agricultural community and full of characters. There was not a lot to do, except your typical going to school, church and interacting with the community, so it was pretty much like most districts. I got into books early and I am still very tight with many people I grew up with in the Mile & Quarter area. I also cherish the fact that my childhood home is still there and in the family.
How was your time at school? Ah I was rather quiet, still am. I went to the “College on the Hill”, All Saints’ Boys. We walked to school, of course. There were really excellent teachers, and headmaster, Mr. Vaughan, was tops. Students received a good grounding at All Saints’ and I will always remember teachers like Mr. Hinkson. All Saints’ was cool. Harrison College a different experience. Learnt a lot about the real world there – classism, privilege, favouritism, haves and have-nots. It was an interesting place through which to see the then social dynamics of Barbados. Much of what I observed and the times – late 60s/70s – fueled my activist side. A great memory was bonding with Latin teacher, Mr. Wiltshire – Chilly Willy. I wasn’t particularly interested in Latin but we chatted about life and he gave me some great advice about people with prepared pathways and making the most of education. I don’t think I enjoyed HC until 5th form, but I made some firm friendships there with people like Erskine Sobers, Judge Chandler, Wayne Forde and Hattan Callender, who is well known in the Barbadian community in Brooklyn.
Where else did you study? I was at Wales – Cardiff, another interesting experience. I encountered many Africans and it was interesting to watch the dynamics between people from different African countries, different areas in the
same country and different tribes in the same country, the clash of the modern with the traditional. Cardiff is a beautiful place.
You have been involved in cultural events in Barbados. Tell me about that. That started from a liking for music and writing. Then I started going to cultural stuff – plays, dances, calypso tents when they only had ten people in the audience. Then I was involved in some things, judging and so on, and became a music critic. I had this huge threepage column – then on broad sheets - on Entertainment every Saturday as a journalist and another on the Arts on Sunday. I was really immersed in all that. I also developed an interest in heritage matters. St. Peter is a very historic place and I am still very much invested in heritage stuff. You know, the Barbados influence in America is long and deep and needs to be told much more. And, of course, we produced a Crop Over band for 25 years. I pretty much follow all things cultural and one of my favourite treats is taking in Broadway shows. There is gargantuan talent in those few blocks and the technology is mind-blowing.
When did you decide on your career? I wanted to be a doctor but gave up on that after my mother died. I then decided on writing, which was a natural fit. But now I am really a marketer and producer – and still the best writer, though! If you mean politics, that just emerged from agitating for some changes starting when I was attending Harrison College – a playing area, better bus service – and then my brother introduced me to the Barbados Labour Party, (BLP). I was lucky to be exposed to the mainstays of the day and especially fortunate to get the opportunity to interact with the great Tom Adams. So a number of people, like Sir Louis Tull and Sir Henry Forde, Lionel Craig, Nigel Barrow and others of that “Great Combination” period, some still alive, gave me some opportunities to be involved in and observe various aspects of politics and it just developed from there. I have been doing politics for a long time now; it is one of the things people think I am very good at. It has been a good 67
