Black Business in Barbados — A Behind the Scenes Experience
From a Bajan’s Facebook post
A section of “Becoming Anti-Racist in Barbados: Q&A”, a resource list for ALL white or ‘pass-fuh-white’ Bajans, and other white people living in Barbados.
Reprinted with permission, but the author requested it not be linked to their name or facebook profile directly.
Years ago I had a friend who borrowed 40k from white lawyer who had a history of lending black people money to start businesses in Barbados.
In fact some of the lawyers colleagues was so outraged that the head of BS&T at the time referred to him as the village lawyer and refused to give him work despite him being a multi millionaire.
Now my friend decided to import dog food from Miami and started to do well in fact was bringing in three 40ft containers a month and was popular especially with the dog shows.
Now for those who think business is fair a company in Barbados started a price war even went to the extent of contacting the supplier to tell him he can make more money off of us just to put my friend out of business.
Mysteriously they were able to access our documentation from customs and delay us from clearing our shipments.
So we went to a different level, incorporating a US Company and voila all nastiness disappeared them ain’t had a clue.
Now at a Dog show one Sunday in 2005. a former director at the same BS&T, came to me and said, your friend is doing well this is too big for wunna guys wunna cockroaches at big hen fight.
For doing what bringing in 40ft containers????
Now clearly we disturbed somebody pet business.
Now half of the nonsense going on in the retail sector people don’t have a clue what black business owners go through, once you are considered a threat.
Other Sections
Frequently Heard Claims
- “Racism is more of an American issue…”
- “I’m white and I’m not wealthy, I don’t have white privilege…”
- “Slavery happened years ago, why can’t people get over it?”
- “I have Black family and friends etc. I’m not racist…”
- “As a ‘white minority’ I’ve experienced more racism than Black people…”
- “I don’t see colour… Why don’t we just spread positivity?”
- “It’s not about race, it’s about class issue etc.”
- “Indentured servants were slaves too!”
- “Black workers are lazy.”
- “If Black people would just spend their money more wisely they’d be more successful…”
- “My Black friends & family agree with me on this…”
- “Every race segregate and hire their relatives and friends, not just White people”
- “There are many Black people who have done very well for themselves”
- “All Lives Matter”
- “The Nelson Statue should stay, we can’t change history!”
- “ Having conversations about race in Barbados is divisive and will only stur up hatred and violence…”
Now I want to talk to all my Black friends and family about racism!
