Barbados and its past

If we look at the Barbadian flag carefully, we can see that the yellow trident that stands for Barbados’ past as a
British colony is broken, which illustrates the fact the island is not under British rule anymore. However, it was: for
approximately three hundred years Barbados belonged to the United Kingdom. Located amid the Caribbean Sea, this island
was the first British colony to establish a Slave Code and inspired several territories owing to its economic model based on
slavery. Nowadays, even though Barbados is a fully independent state which has remained within the Commonwealth,
Barbadians do not forget what the British did to their slave ancestors and the relationships between the two countries are
often tense. Some people thus wonder how the island will interact with the United Kingdom.
How does Barbados deal with its past as a former British colony and how does it influence its relationships with
the world and most of all with the United Kingdom?

Documents:

Document 1: “‘Perfect storm’: royals misjudged Caribbean tour, say critics.”:

The Royal Caribbean Tour was supposed to strengthen links between commonwealth countries and deter countries
from becoming a Republic.

However, during the tour the royal family would have to deal with protests and demands from former colonies such
as Barbados and Jamaica. In fact, they have reminded the UK of their involvement in the slavery on the islands and asked the
Royal Family for reparations and asked for “a full apology and recognition of their war crimes”. During the last decades
Jamaican and Bajans began to have information about their countries history and created the “reparation movement” which
has been increasing rapidly. Even though British media described the tour as a success, the main objectives weren’t achieved
and that shows that the colonialism and slavery past are still issues which haven’t been solved yet.
Moreover, the Jamaican Prime minister announced Jamaica's desire to become a Republic, which illustrates the
urge of independence and autonomy from the former colonies. Even more embarrassing for the UK, Caribbean members of
the Commonwealth are beginning to ask about the purpose of Barbados. In fact, Jamaica and Barbados belong to the
Commonwealth but during the covid-19, most of the Caribbean countries belonging to the Commonwealth were almost
abandoned and received little support (120000 children were left out of school. 3000 deaths for 3 million people).
This tour showed that the United Kingdom’s relationship with former colonies is getting tense and is weakening
and that colonialism is still a hot topic to deal with for the United Kingdom.

Document 2: “DYNASTY: The Windsor Podcast: How Kate Middleton and Prince William’s
Caribbean Tour Became a P.R. Disaster

This tour was miserable for the United Kingdom, the Windsor and specially for Kate Middleton and Prince Charles
who were confronted to protests and the announcement that Jamaica was going to remove the Queen as the country's head
of states.
It showed that even if some countries still have great relations with the Royal Family (for example Guana and its
affection for the Queen), others do not see it that way. In fact, the Commonwealth, which is the union of 49 countries sharing
different values such as democracy or human rights, has roots with the British Empire. Some of these countries have a history
linked with slavery. Furthermore, for some former colonies the Windsor symbolizes an old era, the one in which the colonies
were dominated, which many don’t want any more. That’s why Barbados removed the Queen as the country’s head of state
and replaced it with an elected President. They wanted someone born in the country to represent Bajans. Even though King
Charles during the changes talked about the atrocities of slavery it may have been a bit too late. It revealed that the Windsor,
in addition to the United Kingdom, are impacted by the colonialism issue despite their efforts to show interest for former
colonies.
Finally, the Windsor give a big importance to charity across the commonwealth, which is a part of the duties of a
Royal family’s member. That’s what showed Diana, who always asked for difficult charities and influenced the Royal Family.
However, it seems that Harry and Meghan are not really motivated for charity as their trip in 2019 in South Africa showed, a
Commonwealth country where the world could see their unhappiness.
 This document shows the impact that colonial past had on the Royal Family and how it can affect its reputation. It
also raises two big questions. Are Royals willing to preserve the links between colonies and Great Britain’s through
charities? Do Royals represent a figure for the former colonies?

Video:

This is a video of Sir Hilary Beckles who develops and explains his thesis about the new world's order inspired by
Barbados' model and the future of the society of the island. According to him, the world is on the threshold of a new world's
order, that is to replace the former one and to be better and more equal, more tolerant, and more inclusive. Given its past,
Barbados has the responsibility of setting new standards for the society to come. Indeed, the island has endured a tough
history, haunted by slavery. Between 1640 and 1660, British people, who ruled the island, established an economical system
based on the principle that Black people are not human and are thus considered as objects. That is why an entire economy
based on slavery was developed and inspired several territories in the Americas. Nevertheless, Barbadians were never broken,
and their anger ended up in a revolution in 1816. Due to that history, Barbados is known nowadays for having a society based
on justice, which is something that the current government intends to continue and to push even further. The idea Sir Beckles
has in mind consists in the fact that Barbados, by building a more equal, more tolerant society, will stand in front of the world
as a model to follow. The president and the Prime Minister of the island encourage this way, so as to shape a more united
world, more capable of facing current threats, such as climate change.

In what ways can Barbados and Great Britain keep their relationship ?

As previously mentioned, the narrow ties kept by both countries for decades are regularly questioned and
sometimes heavily criticized. It is obvious that the way the United Kingdom deals with its relationship with Barbados and the
other Caribbean countries must evolve and to adapt to people’s willing, to avoid relationships get worse than they are
currently.
The first issue to solve may be the attitude of the royal family, which behaves and acts as were before while
Barbadians expect it to acknowledge and apologies for their role in the support of the institution of slavery. However, words
would not be enough to end the resentment and they would be better welcomed if they came with financial reparations for
the economical and psychological damages the inhabitants suffered in the past. The United Kingdom may be reluctant but
what is sure is that Barbadians do not want ties with monarchy anymore and want the royal family to understand their wishes.
If Barbados has not shown any desire to leave the Commonwealth, it is nevertheless plain to see they expect more
from this organization, like other countries such as Jamaica, which does not see the point of the Commonwealth for situations
like the coronavirus crisis. The real ways of strengthening ties for the United Kingdom may finally be to show the bright sides
of the Commonwealth by working on what it can bring them.
Consequently, British still have solutions to keep their relationship with Barbados and other Caribbeans countries,
but they consist more in apologizing and proving them the benefits of the Commonwealth, by economical partnerships and
financial aid, than in making them recall their past as a colony. Barbadians made it crystal clear when they chose a Republic.

Conclusion:

If The United Kingdom and Barbados and in general the former colonies want to keep their relationship, it goes
by, apologizing for the atrocities committed with slavery, showing interest in the former colonies’ future by showing that
the Commonwealth provides economical financial interests for both the United Kingdom and former colonies. They both
must build the future of their relationship by working together to go further and put an end to the issues they’re facing.