One of the two native-born intellectuals credited with popularising an Afrocentric replacement of a term once used to describe Black people has been celebrated by St Thomas Parish Independence Committee.
Arch Hall native Dr Keith Baird, an American educator, linguist, and linguistic anthropologist, was on Sunday memorialised with a sign in his community by the committee.
The sign of Dr Keith Baird unveiled in Archhall St Thomas (Photo credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)
Residents of Arch Hall St Thomas and family celebrate the life of Dr Keith Baird (Photo credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)
Daughter of Dr Keith Baird and grandson, Albouri N’Diaye (Photo credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)
(Photo credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)
(Photo credit: Lourianne Graham / Barbados TODAY)
Along with activist and bibliophile, Richard B Moore, Dr Baird was instrumental in advocating for the use of the term ‘Afro-American’ instead of ‘Negro’ in 1966, arguing that the latter was used to describe the enslaved and the enslaveable. Moore also pushed for the use of ‘Afro-American’ or ‘African-American’ in his influential 1960 book The Name “Negro”: Its Origin and Evil Use.
Dr Baird promoted the idea of “semantic liberation” – that African-Americans should define the terms used to describe themselves. He believed that understanding one’s history and cultural roots was essential for personal and collective growth, particularly for communities that faced systemic oppression and cultural erasure.
Dr Baird strongly believed that African-Americans should define the terms used to describe themselves, said chairperson of the Parish Independence Committee, Petra Ramsay-Rollock.
She said: “Baird believed that understanding one’s history and cultural roots was essential for personal and collective growth, particularly for communities that faced systemic oppression and cultural erasure. Baird has left an indelible mark on the world.”
She underscored the significance of his contribution as a Barbadian and said his work helped bring dignity and respectability to the description of Black people.
“His contributions continue to inspire those who seek to understand the profound connection between language, culture, and identity. Dr Baer taught us that language is more than words; it is the heartbeat of a people, the vessel of our history, and the foundation of our independence.”
Ramsay-Rollock marked the unveiling as a beacon to remind people of the contributions of Barbados in shaping global discussions.
“The sign is not just a marker;” she explained, “It is a beacon, reminding us that Barbados has produced minds that have shaped global conversations, and that Saint Thomas stands proudly as the birthplace of brilliance.”
Also speaking at the unveiling, Tyrell Giles, personal assistant to St Thomas MP Gregory Nicholls, the home affairs and information minister, encouraged young Barbadians to learn where they came from and take pride in their identity.
Giles said: “As Barbados continues to strengthen its own sense of national identity, particularly among young people like myself and the two parish ambassadors, I dare say that there is much we can take from his example. Know where we come from, understand the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before us, take pride in our identity, and then we can use that foundation to help build something greater for those who will come after us.”
He further called on people to honour the past while accepting responsibility to “inspire the future.”
“May his life remind us that our communities can produce thinkers, leaders, and change makers whose ideas can reach the world. As we honour the past, may we also accept our responsibility to inspire the future. May the legacy of Dr Baird continue to be a pillar of strength and a pillar of progress.”
Dr Baird’s daughter, Diana Baird N’Diaye, warned of efforts in the United States to erase that progress:
“There’s a whole lot of things going on that would want to erase the progress that has been made to erase the contributions of people of African-American or people of African descent, but know that that cannot be erased. That, as my dad used to recognise, we are an international people who share roots on the continent, and those roots can never be erased.”
She stressed the value of solidarity, knowing oneself, education, heritage and the connections between people that remain important.
Baird N’Diaye also presented the committee with a collection of her father’s poetry, titled “Signs and Wonders”, along with photographs, saying she knew he would have wanted Arch Hall to have them.
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