Rihanna was declared a national hero on the eve of Barbados declaring itself a republic. Part of the British Commonwealth since its independence in 1966, the country resolved to no more consider the British Monarch as the head of the state. With this announcement Dame Sandra Mason, the former governor was sworn in as President of the country. Let’s look at the history of the former British colony, what this development means, and what lies ahead.
Systemic Exploitation
The country is situated above South America, a few 100 miles from Venezuela in the Caribbean sea. British colonialists arrived at Barbados in the early 1600s. From then, until 1807, and 1833 when two laws were passed to abolish it, the country provided slaves to the British plantations. As was the trend with the British, the colony was soon a supplier of raw material for British subjects. In this case, it was Sugarcane that became the predominant crop. The inhuman Slave trade was also practiced by the crown.
Post-independence, Sugarcane still dominates agriculture. However, economic frontiers were diversified with tourism and inward remittances.
What does it mean to be a republic?
Republic, in political theory, means a state where the country is governed by the people through their elected representatives; Although this might sound similar to democracy. The difference lies in that a republic would not entertain or recognize any external interference in a country’s governance.
What is commonwealth?
The current Commonwealth of Nations was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949. The constituent countries are related together with historical ties and the use of the English language; however, there are a few member countries were never part of the British empire. With the British Monarch as the head of the Commonwealth. It is not, in any manner, an acknowledgment of crowns supremacy.
This has been a lasting representation of Colonialism. It carries their pride in how the current world order is still influenced by their deeds. It is also to many, a legacy of crippling economic policies and racial supremacy. It reminds us of how British colonialists considered themselves greater than every other race. Ironically, they considered it their providential mission to uplift other marginalized races.
What now?
Barbados has been an independent nation for 55 years now. However, it is still haunted by the colonial past; Where it was stripped of its resources while facing torments such as racial discrimination and no right to govern itself. like other colonial nations such as India, which is still battling the consequences of the misgovernance by the colonial masters. Barbados' economy has further taken a hit with COVID-19 lockdown.
Declaring itself as a republic, Barbados has now acknowledged that Queen Elizabeth II no longer Heads the country. The people of Barbados have flagged that they are here to cherish their freedom and would no longer be identified with foreign symbols.
