Re: Fish and Dicks

The following post is my response to an article published in a Barbados newspaper by farmer and social commentator Richard Hoad. The article can be viewed at http://www.nationnews.com/story/302273915218924.php.

Dear Mr. Hoad,

Your recent article states that Barbados is in danger of making the "mistake of opening up Barbados to immigration from conflicting cultures". While I sympathise with your concerns generally on the issue of immigration, particularly as it relates to acquisition of property, I feel that in this case your views are, at best, off base and at worst discriminatory (xenophobic by your own admission). I therefore wish to present a different point of view.

Immigration is a controversial issue in most countries around the world. Due to its potential effect on population growth, it has implications for unemployment rates, pressure on infrastructure, welfare and ultimately the provision of scarce resources. Of course, there are pros and cons. It should be no surprise that populations turn a blind eye to the issue when immigrants provide skills and resources where there are shortages, but then rally against foreigners in harder times, when jobs are scarce or crime rates higher. However, there is no denying the contribution that foreign-born persons have made to Barbados over the years, from Clement Payne to Auntie Olga. Immigration has benefited Barbados not only due to the skills, ideas and experience that non-nationals bring to our society, but from the opportunities many Bajans have had over the years to live and work in other countries, bringing home new skills, ideas and experiences. So it works both ways. I firmly believe that, on balance, the benefits of immigration to the host country outweigh the pitfalls.

Countries around the world have handled immigration, as well as the inevitable introduction of foreign cultures, religions and practices, in different ways. Some require prospective citizens to study the culture of the host country and pass examinations to prove their knowledge on the subject. Most nations in Western Europe require non-nationals to integrate, as least partially, into the way of life of the country in which they wish to settle. Britain stands out in this regard, having allowed different immigrant groups freedom to retain their own practices and not adopt the values and practices prevalent in that country. Authorities may be rethinking this policy, given the perceived problems that have resulted from extending such liberties. Perhaps there is a lesson here as well for Barbados.

I disagree with your premise that immigration will "dilute us beyond recognition". Barbados is a small island with a relatively large population, and I therefore believe that it is unlikely (perhaps physically impossible) that there would ever be numbers of non-nationals sufficient to destroy the Bajan way of life, not least because most foreigners choose to remain here in part because of our way of life. Foreign films, TV, music and other forms of culture have had a much larger effect on the Bajan identity over the last several decades than immigration ever could, and the internet will continue this trend.

Nevertheless, I do share your concern that the Bajan identity not be lost due to foreign influence. The way to ensure that the Bajan culture, values and practices are not lost is by encouraging them to flourish, through events such as Crop Over, competitions such as NIFCA, by supporting groups such as the Royal Barbados Police Force Band and the Landship and by teaching local culture in schools.

There need to be controls on immigration. However, in an age where most developed countires have strict laws against discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race or religion, we should recognise that these controls are a form of discrimination (albeit a necessary one) on the basis of place of birth. We should welcome people who can make a contribution (however small) to our society, but we should encourage them to respect and adopt our own values and culture. We need also to recognise that our own identity is, and should be, ever-evolving, and that exposure to other ways of life, and even "conflicting cultures", is not necessarily a bad thing.