Bahamas Issues: I am black and proud.
Should we even care now, as that time in history of white oppression has come and gone: forever disappeared, never to return. Should we just live now, carefree of others, at least when it comes to colour. In fact, colour does not matter. Bahamians are free of it, (purposefully left out the word black in front of Bahamians). Being a colour no longer describes our characteristics, explain our journey, our direction, our history and our way of thinking. There is no need to distinguish Bahamians as white Bahamians, as black Bahamians, even as chinese Bahamians, as we are one, walking the same road, desirous of one goal. There is no need to have a colour census, as to the ratio of whites vs blacks in prisions. There is no need to have a colour census as to the ratio of rich white Bahamians vs blacks, as such information no longer matters. There is no need for statistics as to who are having the bastard babies, who are smoking the dope/trafficking it, who are perpetrating all the crimes, for we are one and gleefully accept that this is a Bahamian problem and not a colour problem. I just want to know whether I still need to be black and proud and just be Bahamian and proud as we are one. Is there still a need to highlight black success stories, black heroes, black women who have survived and still live, better yet are living good.
Is there still a black sickness in the Bahamas? Do we still look down at ourselves? Is the white barbie doll still prettier, still preferred by our kind. Is that even a problem, or should we even care about what colour the doll is? Is there such a thing as black Bahamian culture, moreso white Bahamian culture, or are they one in the same? Do black bahamians still have an inert African way of thinking, and what about white Bahamians, do they have a latent European way of thinking. Why is it that, being call black still is a stigma in this Bahamas, in spite years of open talk, (has there been enough open talks). Why is it that being called conchiejoe in white communities is a dirty word to some? Is it the black blood they are upset about, concerned about?
There was a thread about classism in the Bahamas I quickly scanned through and decided not to comment on as no one there seemed to be able to provide statitics, mainly because there aren’t statistics, therefore the thread is irrevelent and serves no purpose, as we still cannot clearly state who makes up the different classes. I remember reading once that there is a cry for Bahamian unity: one Bahamas. There was an invitation to white Bahamians, and to a lesser extent to the majority, black Bahamians. However, I thought we were one since 1973. Is there still a need for a formal unification. If there is, then I guess it is a fact that there exists a seperation.
Black Bahamians steriotype white Bahamians all the time. We call them the man. The rich people. The powers behind the government. Them set who own down town. But, no one ever questions and inquire about what steriotypes do white Bahamians see us as. Do they even sterio type, or have they transcended such, and such is a black desease. I know it seems as if, black Bahamians do all the crimes. I wonder if they talk about that in their homes? I know it seems as if we having all the bastard babies? I wonder if they talk about that in their homes. Has there been any open discussion about how we view each other, or truly there is no need for such discussions.
There is a train of thought that the black family is in jepordy. Perhaps white families are too? Perhaps they are facing the same issues: the fear of their children joining gangs, dealing drugs, becoming mobsters, selling off themselves in the streets. I am sure they suffer from the same single parent homes, the poor educational system, and the same fear of coming outside to play. However, should such things be dealt with on a national issue or within individual communities. No longer are our communities lay seperate, we now have white Bahamians in Bain and Grants Town. They are living in Chippingham, blue hills, in the grove, right on Peter Street, living joyously with their black brothers and sisters.
I am sure that there will be some, who will comment and say, I am in the victim mode of thinking. Not quite sure victim of what, as I am just asking questions. Just wondering if there is still a need to be black and proud, or is that era dead and gone, subsequently, there is no need for such thinking.
