Countries with an adequate supply of self-respect are usually republics where the people choose the head of state.
So today, it is a pleasure to welcome the people of Barbados into that family of nations.
The featured image is the flag of Barbados that today flies over a republic.
However, this is the one that flew over the island before independence in 1966.
Look at it, a monstrosity worthy of Ibrox.
So today is a good day for a country with a difficult history.
I thought that Stan Collymore expressed it well on Twitter.
Grown-up nations indeed…
I recall having a long chat with him at a footie function in Manchester, where he told me about his Bajan heritage.
If memory serves me well, I told him of the thousands of Irish people who were sent to the Caribbean, or “Barbadosed”, against their will during the Cromwellian genocide in Ireland.
After suspecting that the Irish had been involved in a 1692 slave revolt, Barbadian authorities wrote to the British Crown in 1697, asking them not to send further “Irish rebels” to the colony.
History remembered is a weapon.
Perhaps these colonial connections are some of the reasons that the Paddies and the folk from the Caribbean got on so well during my father’s time in England.
Then again, they faced the same racism from the Brits.
The history of Barbados cannot be told without the vile legacy of slavery being included.
When that unhuman practice was finally outlawed in the British Empire, the slave owners were compensated for the forfeiture of their property ( other human beings).
The Treasury borrowed £20m in 1837, which was only finally paid off in 2015!
This piece in the Tax Justice Network is worth your time.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither the slaves nor their descendants have ever received a penny in reparations from the Brits.
Lest we forget…
In 2012 the barbarity of what Britain inflicted on Barbados had left wounds that are yet to heal.
As the island served the connection with the British Crown, the Brits thought it appropriate to send the Dauphin of the Saxe Coburg crew to the ceremony.
Just to be clear, “the appalling atrocity of slavery which forever stains our history” enriched his family.
When London Bridge finally falls, this poster child for inbreeding will be the object of the bowing and scraping.
To this Republican, the very idea that the head of state is selected because of an accident of birth is bizarre and backward.
Of course, we in the Republic of Ireland share this archipelago with such a backward polity.
The current head of state in the UK is only in the big chair because her uncle wanted to marry an American divorcee.
Here is the happy couple with some other fella.
Edward’s Nazi connections are a matter of historic fact.
Of course, elected politicians in Britain must swear allegiance to the Saxe Coburg crime crew before they can pick up their lavish paycheque.
Indeed on St Andrew’s Day, it would be remiss of me to fail to acknowledge this quality grovelling in the regional assembly in Edinburgh only last month.
The only thing missing in this Holyrood performance art was the Loving Cup…
It’s good that the fine people of Barbados do not have to degrade themselves anymore.
Their elected representatives will now swear allegiance to the people and not a dodgy family who got lucky back in the day when people were sold there like livestock.
So, the Barbadians should feel a little taller today.
Viewers in Scotland still have their own programme.
Although I punch the air for the people of Barbados, today is a personally sad one for your humble correspondent.
This morning I learned that my dear friend Mary Maher had passed away.
She had been ill for some time.
From the first day, I was on the Irish Executive Council of the NUJ; she was a rock of support and good counsel to me.
Mary was born in Chicago on November 9th, 1940, to an Irish American family. Perhaps that is why she got my diaspora vibe.
We were both back him in Ireland trying to make a difference.
She began her journalism career in the right-wing Republican Chicago Tribune but worked for four decades in the Irish Times, where she was hired by legendary News Editor Donal Foley.
There was no obstacle that was fit for her.
Here she is at Áras an Uachtaráin as part of an NUJ delegation meeting our President.
She’s on the Left there, which is where we met.
The idea of her grovelling to anyone is too bizarre for words.
My thoughts today are with Mary’s daughters, Nora and Maeve, sister Bonnie, brother Jerry, grandchildren, relatives.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Well fair play to Barbados – I am interested in the above comments citing Chinese influence at work, I am not too knowledgeable about the situation myself.
I note that the new female President of Barbados has decided to retain her “Dame” title bestowed by the British Monarch. I guess we cant be that bad!
Barbados, of course, remains in the British Commonwealth* and so ties of close friendship remain.
(*I hope they read the small print, it means we can demand Troops! Only kidding!).
As regards slavery, (as was raised during the ceremony in Barbados), I think the general appreciation of the situation would be helped by a wider awareness that this was not something which white europeans exclusively did to black africans. This understanding seems to cause a hang over which is a problem, especially in our increasingly plural societies.
Slavery has existed in all cultures throughout history. As late as the 15-1800s, it is estimated that north of one million white europeans were taken and sold as slaves in North Africa and the Ottoman Empire, by barbary pirates.
I guess the lesson is that a history of slavery does need to translate into a debilitating and perpetual complex for those affected. The popular discussion would seem to suggest otherwise.
Condolences regarding the death of Mary Maher. May she rest in peace and may her family and friends find comfort in her memory.
The way things are going in Barbados it won’t be long before they are a Chinese colony. So good luck with that.
The UK is just a very refined version of North Korea . The State propaganda machine masquerading as an unbiased media outlet, the Dynasty of rulers handed down from father to son , the flegs and portraits and the incarceration of journalists that dare to speak the truth . On reflection I may be doing North Korea a dis-service , they didn’t rampage round the planet raping , enslaving and pillaging they merely stood their ground and defended themselves.
When I lived in London my neighbours were from Montserrat , I was intrigued to find that St Patrick is also the patron Saint of that island as they also had a large influx of Irish slaves .
I am afraid this is more about China’s gain than Britain’s loss. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
A future “Cuban Crisis” redux?
https://www.caribbean-council.org/chinas-rapidly-advancing-caribbean-role/
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the excellent news of another country cutting ties with the now defunct, and dying that little bit more everyday, brit empire. Like you, I feel every nation has a right to elect its own leaders and prosper without being taxed whilst making their communities lives better.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your good friend and work colleague Mary Maher, I had her pegged before reading the line up. I’ve lots of family from all over North America and she has a similar look to some of them. Women(aunts) that under no circumstances you would be anything other than very mannerly and polite, because if you weren’t these stronger than steel ladies wouldn’t be long in putting you right.
Slainte Phil🇮🇪
So sorry to hear the sad news about your friend . Delighted for the people of Barbados 🍀🇮🇪
I’ve never understood people swearing allegiance to royalty, I mean really, why do they do it? No one is better than anyone else, whether they’re royalty by birth or homeless on the street. We’re all human beings but some look down their noses at those they deem to be beneath them and that’s what’s wrong with the world. There’s people making money from war, human trafficking, drugs, prostitution, extortion and embezzlement to name but a few. There’s no reason that we can’t clothe, feed and medicate the world without one person left behind, but for some making money from people’s misery is what it’s all about and there’s a special place in hell for these types of people.
In my opinion the royal’s are parasites and they’re leeching off everyone in the UK but most people can’t or don’t want to admit that. It’s a way of life for the mutants who follow the Ipox club, it’s their “culture” apparently. Who in their right mind wants to be subservient to someone who’s basically the biggest social security cheat in the land? The royal’s must be loving it, that there’s that many morons in the UK, as they’ve reigned over the most stupid nation for a few generations and they’re not even British.
I can tell you this for nothing I’ll never ever bow down to any royal even under penalty of death. Nobody is better than me and nobody is beneath me. I’m not racist or bigoted but what the Ipox club and it’s support stand for is an aberration to mankind and they should all have a good look at themselves in the mirror. I won’t hold my breath their though as most of them are sociopathic mutants and an embarrassment to society. It’s bred into them in the home and with every generation they become more militant than the previous one’s. They wear it like a badge of honour and it’s sickening but empty vessels make the most noise.
As expected, another dig at Scotland. I had a nightmare where Martin McGuinness bowed and scraped before the Queen, and Shinners lavished good wishes on her son, commander in chief of the Parachute Regiment.
Was that a deam paddy?, a nightmare? or an actual recollection of what really happened?
It certainly isn’t accurate or even close to a reflection of thse events.
What it was is a demonstration of actual, real leadership. Qualities that are becomming increasingly rare in these times.
I’ll leave it to Phil and other readers to interpret your “Scottish dig” comment, – the clue and the reveal were the first two words.