Today, January 21, 2018 is Errol Barrow Day (celebrated on Monday), a bank holiday that celebrates the birth, life and legacy of Errol Barrow. He is known as the “Father of Independence for Barbados!” The image of the Right Excellent Errol Barrow is on the $50 note. He died 30 years ago and is considered one of the ten National heroes* of Barbados and is portrayed in a larger than life statue in Independence Square in Bridgetown.
Last week several ambassadors were appointed to represent Barbados including Justice Sandra Mason, Stedson Wiltshire, Alison Walcott-Hines and Dr. Anthony Carter.
Justice of Appeal Sandra Mason became the Barbados’ eighth Governor General on January 8, 2018. She is the second woman that has been appointed to the “Highest Office in the Land.” Justice Sandra Mason is now Dame Sandra Mason and a representative for Queen Elizabeth and Barbados.
Some of you may be confused by the Highest Office in the Land, so was I. Barbados has been independent since 1967 and has an elected Prime Minister. However, Barbados is one of 52 sovereign states in the Commonwealth of Nations nearly all former British colonies.
The Governor General is mostly ceremonial but she does wield some influence and powers that include appointing judges. Dame Sandra Mason had to swear her allegiance to the Queen just as I did when I became a citizen of Barbados. So, don’t say anything bad about the Queen or by decree I must UnFriend you on Facebook!
Stetson Witshire better known as Red Plastic Bag or Bag was among the trio of cultural ambassadors appointed. RPG, my favorite Soca Singer, combines the sounds of Raggae and Soca and has won the Calypso King crown 8 times. He also has won the Barbados Calypso Monarch competition a record 10 times.
Alison Hines was born in London and both of her parents are from Barbados. Alison has been labelled as the Soca Queen.
Dr. Anthony Carter better known as Gabby is a calypsonian and sometimes controversial folk singer on political and social issues. He was first appointed as cultural ambassador in 2004.
Of course, Robyn Fenty better known as Rihanna is the most famous Barbados ambassador of all! Rihanna the singer, songwriter, and actress was born in Barbados. She is a pop icon and the best selling artist of all time! Rihanna has received numerous accolades including 8 grammys and 12 American Music Awards among others. In 2012 Rihanna was on the Forbes list of most powerful celebrities. That same year she was also on Times 100 most influential people in the world!
On her plaque at Rihanna Drive she is quoted “My whole life was shaped on this very road. I was just a little island girl riding bikes and running around barefoot and flying kites in the cemetery, but I had BIG dreams. Dreams that where born and realized right here.”
TMZ the celebrity news show and website reported that Barbados should have named a major road or highway after the Rihanna instead of a small road. However, I personally believe the street and neighborhood where she grew up is the perfect place for Rihanna Drive!
Congratulations to all of the ambassadors cultural and political as they represent the great country of Barbados!
*The 10 National heroes of Barbados are.
The Right Excellent Bussa (born in Africa and killed during an 1816 slave uprising fighting for his freedom in Barbados)
The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill (1795–1866)
The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod (1806–1871)
The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal (1879–1936)
The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Herbert Adams (1898–1971)
The Right Excellent Clement Osbourne Payne (1904–1941)
The Right Excellent Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (1913–1994)
The Right Excellent Sir Frank Leslie Walcott (1916–1998)
The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow (1920–1987)
The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers (b. 1936)
Calvin you know more than me and I was born in Barbados but was raised in the united states