The Superiority Complex Of Jamaica, Trinidad And Barbados Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Written by Jeevan Robinson Do the citizens of Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados feel they are superior to other Caribbean islands' citizens? This is a topic that can stir the passion of every Caribbean national, whether at home or in the Diaspora. A question that can equally ignite derision; so too, in some aspects, impassioned reasoning to affirm why one island should be considered better than the other.
I made an observation last week. An article was published two weeks ago showcasing the achievements of Chef Lij & Kari, two Jamaican nationals excelling in Dubai. The sin committed in the article, as one commentator was keen to highlight, was to introduce both Chef Lij and Kari as ‘Caribbean nationals’ and not as Jamaican nationals. The piece did proceeded to mention that they are Jamaicans but this inclusion seemingly passed the eye of one individual who promptly fumed that Jamaicans should not to be referred to as Caribbean nationals as and when it suits.
“They are Jamaicans, not Caribbean nationals, so stop saying that,” said the commentator. “.... promote yourselves off your own prowess and allow us to bask in our glory without you small island interlopers.”
Interlopers is a bit strong, would you not agree? Surely, this comment cannot be meant to include Trinidad and Barbados, the other two heavyweights in the English speaking Caribbean. Do Jamaicans turn their noses at Trinidadians and Barbados also? The question answers itself as the evidence always speaks volumes as to the nature of the crime. The fights in recent times between these three islands has become headline-gripping content.
Fights over low cost carrier REDjet amongst these three islands sometimes lent towards callous language and a bit of snobbery. Furthermore, between Barbados and Trinidad earlier this year, Shanique Myrie’s case pitted David against Goliath in a good demonstration of how not to air your political and social disagreements in public. It is always mostly these three islands. Can’t they all just get along?
There is undoubtedly a prejudice that exists between the islands of the Caribbean. Islanders both at home and abroad often make their biased and snotty comments against each other as often as can be counted. But the distaste that often shows its ugly head between Jamaicans, Barbadians and Trinidadians sometimes seems to take on meteoric proportions. Why is this?
Between Jamaica and Trinidad, I have always thought that there is a subtle power play. It is political and economic as well as it is social. Both islands are blessed with natural resources; just that one exploits them for profit more efficiently than the other. The power of the petro-dollar is not only a phenomenon in Middle Eastern states but it is also very real in southern regions of the Caribbean.
On top of that, you have the social strength of these two nations, who might quite possibly have two of the largest Diaspora populations globally. Jamaica gave the world Bob Marley, reggae, dancehall, ackie and saltfish, Blue Mountain Coffee, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake! Trinidad, on the other hand, will not be outplayed, as they have given to the world the greatest Carnival spectacle outside of Brazil, soca/calypso music, the steelpan, Machel Montano, roti, Brian Lara and Dwight Yorke. This is just but a slither of the offerings coming from these islands.
Both islands can be said to be on par, if we were to use social and cultural references to ground this discussion. But that would be unfair, as there are other factors where Trinidad will come up trumps over Jamaica and likewise Jamaica will come up flexing over Trinidad.
And Barbados, where does she fit into this power play? A bastion of economic stability on the region, they will boast of their stable currency, low level of crime as compared to both Jamaica and Trinidad and low unemployment rates. Jamaicans accuse Bajans of being obnoxious and condescending towards them. 'Little England' they say, is snobbish and thinks herself better than not just Jamaicans but the rest of the region. Can there be any truth to this?
I have some very firm friends who are Jamaicans who without skipping a heartbeat, remind me at every turn of my small island status. The banter is often returned with equal gusto. Many Jamaicans seem to buy into this small island talk from what I have noticed. For me though, the concept of ‘small island’ is flawed.
While I can see why some islands would want to play head honcho, the fact is that socio-economically and geo-politically we are all but small islands with no clout, no power, no militaries to challenge anyone, not enough economic purpose and yet still somewhat adrift of the entire concept that the world is now globalised and we are all one village. We are all small islands in the bigger scheme of things.
For better relations between the islands to take root, I submit that citizens, and maybe too some politicians of the bigger islands would have to start by dropping the superiority complex. Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, did not help this along any further when earlier this year he insulted Barbados by suggesting that the island can fit into a Jamaican Parish. It did sound funny at the time but such a lack of diplomacy is unwise in areas where sensitivities are delicately poised.
It serves no purpose to keep on blaming Jamaica for failing the development of the former West Indies Federation. We cannot forever go on blaming them for a short sighted and insular position by its then leaders. Likewise, Trinidad’s economic prosperity aided by petro-dollars should not be a reason for it to want to parade as a Caribbean superpower. Getting its house in order is key. It is no easy feat when your island has one of the highest levels of crime in the region. Barbados’ somewhat detached position from the Caribbean arc may be the reason why other islands view Bajans as lofty and snobbish towards the other islands less fortunate than they are. Perhaps! Perhaps not!
That being said, these three islands must find a way to settle their differences beyond cosmetic plastering. The question is though, is such a thing possible?
