So Many Questions

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

experience to manage campaigns in other countries. That’s my favourite thing – the campaign.

Is this your first installation/post in government?

No, I guess that would be becoming Personal Aide to former Prime Minister Arthur.

How is the Consulate coping with the Covid-19 crisis? What advice do you have for Barbadians in the US?

We have managed well. In fact, except for a few months last year, we have been at work; and even during the height of the pandemic, we did what was required to help persons who had emergencies.

It has been two years in incredulous suspension but life in New York and surrounding States is, thankfully, becoming energised and it is good to have some inperson interactions.

My advice to Barbadians in the USA and Barbados is simple – take a vaccine and remain mindful. I do not know how, apparently, too much of the world has, suddenly, lost common sense and there is such nonsense around the pandemic and vaccines. Vaccines help, they always have; in fact, they have helped eradicate many diseases. Barbadians are accustomed to vaccines and take a common sense view, above all else, to things. Let’s take a vaccine!

How can Bajans in New York help other Barbadians here and in Barbados?

Let me say I am incredibly proud of especially the Barbadian Associations in the jurisdiction of the NY Consulate General – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Philadelphia – and individual Barbadians for their tremendous support of our country during the pandemic. The support has always been there, but the way associations and individuals have stepped up has been amazing and a clear indication of love of country and fellow Barbadians – and it is continuing.

Recently, the first mission to Barbados of nurses, led by head of the Nurses Association Cecily Wilkinson – nurses taking their holiday time, buying their own tickets – has made a fundamental difference – not just in patient care, but in connecting with health officials and making strong bonds with professionals. This can only serve Barbados well.

The PPE and other supplies sent by Associations and nurses have been salutary. Together with Cicely, we were recently able to get a 20ft container of materials from Maimonides and another US$10,000 worth from Americares.

And there have been many other donations by Associations and individuals over the past nearly two years, responding to specific calls for help – direct financial contributions, tablets, even toys. There is no underestimating the support.

There is room to widen the areas of support and those who support. Barbados has to find a way to tap into the experience, education and connections of Barbadians, and really embrace those who are exceptional in their fields. I find it amusing that someone like Velma Scantlebury, somehow, is yet to be incorporated in our health sector. I want to help make that happen.

I would simply urge all Barbadians to continue to support each other and our country. Ignore the naysayers and agendas of some – we are all Barbadians and it is Barbados first. Associations need to work in tandem for mass, and we know unity is strength. I would hope that the move made to form an umbrella group, and the bonding as a result of Zoom meetings, would not be allowed to fall in abeyance or worse. Less talk, more action.

It would also be good to see Barbadians showing our strength – building on the high regard in which we are held – to get involved in more areas in the various communities, using out voices to highlight areas that continue to impact Barbadians and Caribbean people in New York and elsewhere and our countries, whether immigration issues or climate change.

Let us also form alliances with people of shared backgrounds and interests, Africans, Panamanians, to carve out space among other nationalities in the jigsaw that is the politically correct process now.

What advice would you give to young people who would like to get involved with cultural things?

In famous words – just do it! Some young people need the group-type setting; others are more individual. But whatever the interest, we should encourage them to just go for it. It’s sometimes difficult to speak or perform in front of others, or to share thoughts, and we should give encouragement. Young people have different avenues now, many online platforms, and these should be utilised. Put up some dance moves, some poetry, your thoughts – build an audience where your peers are … and monetise it. It is always good to have mentors, so do not be dismissive of those who have experience, advice and money to contribute. Find that one person who really believes in you and your vision. Remember, too, platforms might be different but the fundamentals remain the same – discipline, training and those things gave an edge. And for those seeking to make their particular area of interest a profession, there are really few overnight sensations – and from the get-go own it, copyright it.

What is a typical day like for you?

One of the good things about the job is that new things come up every day. In a day, I can have an impromptu with the BTMI or Invest heads – we get along very well – or attend a birthday function or, unfortunately a funeral, or have to give a speech or meet some government official, get involved in solving an issue, so there is variety.

But usually I am in office by 9.30, respond to emails throughout the day – I like to respond to queries quickly – speak to Association members and members of the Barbadian community, speak

to persons who wish to have an audience, deal with queries about Barbados. I usually leave work about six. Traffic is a nightmare.

What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies and interests have not really changed. Books and reading old style, listening to music, attending cultural events, writing, travelling – not so much getting there but being there.

What are your favourite things?

Family. Catching up with friends. Enlightened conversation. Cooking. Watching movies and home shows. Broadway.

Where are you most comfortable?

Lying in my bed at home in Barbados with no one around and the doors wide open enjoying the sea and gully views and …the silence.

How did you meet your wife, Treva?

We actually met through work. I was marketing manager at what is now Starcom and Treva was an ad executive at a large company. We did not hit it off at all – first impressions at the first meeting were not good at all. We became best buds after I left Starcom and got together many years later. Life is strange isn’t it?

What is a little known fact about you?

I wrote a few plays, one of which, Country Comfort, was performed and won some NIFCA awards; produced one book of poetry – Tears of the Heart; instigated Celebrate St. Peter in 1995 which morphed into Community Independence Celebrations; and I have written a few songs here and there. I have given you a few.

What are your most marked traits?

Confidence. Determination. Organisation. Stillness.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?

Isn’t the best to come? I don’t keep score on life. But I would say having my grandmother live with me and creating HYPE – Hot Young People’s Edition – and being able to help mentor that fantastic group of young people I met, particularly the starting crew. That included current Ministers Kirk Humphrey, Lisa Cummins and Santia Bradshaw and others who have all done very well. We are still good to this day. The HYPE experience was one in which everything lined up properly. I have guided young people into elective politics and worked well with many other young people interested in politics and it is good to see them progressing. Of course, nothing trumps family.

How would you assess your time in New York?

Overwhelmingly positive. I think a lot has been achieved despite the pandemic of almost two years now. We got out of the gates quickly on a number of things – unity, the summits, young people’s Conversations and Connections, different approaches in some areas – and that has served us well. Some new groups have been formed or been re-energized and, particularly during last year, the performance of Associations has been stellar, with many of them forming bonds – a lot of new friendships have developed. I think we have executed what we have produced very well and we are connecting in other areas with some new partners outside of the Barbados community that are working well and have potential to enhance our image and, importantly, deliver assistance to and investment in Barbados. So we – staff, BTMI, Invest Barbados, Associations, individuals – have made some inroads and impact. There are some exciting plans that we have had to park and, hopefully, we will have time to realise some, if not all of them. I want to address the business side more. We have also spoken about a signature Barbados event for New York – a week that highlights as much of Barbados as possible – I would like that to happen.

What is your big wish for Barbados?

Well, it would be great if we could reset and be a nation of meritocracy. Beyond that, a country of opportunity. It cannot be that a few people get spectacularly rich every cycle and the shake my head moments increase at unfathomable developments. I think some of the thinking and communicating needs to change to reinforce, as has been the case, that we are and can be world achievers. This “Third World” characterization, for instance, I find amusing. Let’s stop with we are this small, poor, helpless place as some like to put out, when it should be, see how much we have achieved, how X or Y has reached a new level and inspire our people with our words.

But Barbados has done extremely well and young people are doing amazing things so I am sure Barbados will be Barbados – strong, steady and successful. I think the great challenges for Barbados are managing expectations and how to maintain balance in a world in which everyone has an opinion, without the responsibility to truth or commonsense, or anything, in which the trivial is somehow raised to high importance and in which politics is about pandering to fringes rather than the solid and silent middle. It’s an exciting time with Prime Minister Mottley – she and her team have demonstrated their capabilities and some great plans have been put forward - and once we can execute, Barbados will continue to be a marvel of the world.

What is your current state of mind?

Positive, always positive. I am optimistic – that somewhere, somehow, there will be someone calling a spade a spade and telling the Emperor he has no clothes – that people will eventually say enough is enough to whatever it is there needs to be a wall against. I am eternally optimistic.