tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5498961727602805543.post4345766899381943980..comments2024-02-18T04:34:40.897-04:00Comments on Living in Barbados: What Is Holding Blacks Back In Barbados? Some Thoughts On Race And EntrepreneurshipUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5498961727602805543.post-42508457257694263722010-06-04T17:19:36.662-04:002010-06-04T17:19:36.662-04:00"...Has the black man gained no economic powe..."...Has the black man gained no economic power? He has gained some, but the Barbadian economy is firmly in the hands of a few white Barbadian families. Legacy and inheritance can keep in place inequalities very effectively..."<br />--------<br /><br />If your observation is correct, this privilege of not having to lose your place (wealth) after Independence (or any Revolution) is the main reason why a few white families control the Bajan economy. Let's just say that wouldn't have happened in other societies where the colonialists, literally, get the boot. Case in point: Iran 1979 & America (after 1776). :-)<br /><br />Now, assuming all other things are equal, I believe that Blacks (in Barbados and here in East Africa too) are not as successful in business -- even though they clearly have the ability -- due to a combination of cultural & religious conditioning.<br /><br />Wherever I go, I see kids/students in uniforms and they're simply taught how to MEMORIZE in order to pass exams. Nothing more, nothing less. I have no doubts that Harrisons and Queens College produce phenomenal students. <br /><br />I don't know...but look at guys like Apple's Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Google's, Yahoo's & Sun Microsystem's founders. They all have the ability to think OUTSIDE the BOX. I don't see these skills being developed (or encouraged) at British curriculum schools where everyone fears the headmaster. Thank goodness it wasn't like this in Canada. Ironically, schools like Waldorf and Montessori are gaining in popularity around the world.<br /><br />Just look at Britain compared to America post World War II. You'll clearly see more of an entrepreneurial mentality. Heck, just compare US companies to British companies back then: HP, DEC, IBM, Litton Industries, Cray Supercomputers, Control Data, Disney, Boeing, McDonnel Douglas, GE, Xerox, Kodak, AT&T & on & on.<br /><br />And well, Barbados & Kenya are both British colonies -- with an ingrained philosophy passed down by the colonialists. In Kenya's case, the Blacks took power so now you have a Black elite who will do everything to maintain their privilege -- to the detriment of their kinsmen. Tribalism is very real here. That's why the ICC's Ocampo is hanging around. :-)<br /><br />Quite frankly, the only reason the US lost its lead is because of spending too much money on war-making, which hurts taxpayers and deprives future generations of other important services. <br /><br />The intelligence in the US is not at the same level as it was around the 50s, 60s and 70s when they were waaay ahead economically. The East has caught up and manufacturing has moved offshore in lure of cheap labour.<br /><br />Finally, TV (the Idiot Box), lack of exercise & fast processed foods has really accelerated the decline in intelligence of the average American.<br /><br />So to recap, Barbados needs to empower its students to be creative & entrepreneurial. Perhaps they could copy some ideas from "Japan Inc." where they have tons of engineers and few lawyers in contrast to the US and Britain where the only innovations seem to come in shady, toxic "financial products."Info Tekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11433884535448022116noreply@blogger.com