Political leader of the Democratic Labour Party, Ralph Thorne, is calling for greater support and recognition for musicians and artistes in Barbados, lamenting what he described as the lack of honour now afforded to the creative sector.
Thorne said artistes were, to a large extent, community builders, helping to shape Barbadian identity through literature, songs and books they produced.
“It is my lament that at this juncture in our history, our athletes are not doing as well as they used to. Our athletes do not receive the honour that they used to, and certainly our musicians do not receive the honour that they used to,” he said as he addressed a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of the Father of Independence, Errol Barrow, at the Garden, Checker Hall, St Lucy on Wednesday.
“Too many of our musicians, too many of our artistes are now regarded as mercenaries, are now regarded only for their ability to make money, and their talents seem to be vulgarised and exploited by those who have the power to do so. It is not that you don’t wish your artistes to make money.”
He added, “But your artistes must make contact with people and make contact with Barbadians, and be able to say to Barbadians, this is who we are.”
The DLP leader also pointed to cricket as central to Barbadian and wider West Indian identity, while noting its continued decline across the region alongside other sporting disciplines.
“You don’t have to be a cricketer to know what is happening to our cricket, because when we talk athletics and sports, cricket is at the centre, and there must be some explanation as to why we are not doing so well, not only as a Barbadian cricketing nation, but as a West Indian cricketing nation. Something is wrong.”
Thorne called for athletes and musicians to “come back to base . . . .Come back to where the state nurtured and encouraged people, and they did this through our major institutions.”
He said past generations were shaped by the church, school and family, describing them as foundational institutions that must be strengthened once again. “We have to reintroduce our young people back to those three institutions that shaped us, that told us who we are and who we can be and who we must be for the sake of saving this country.”
Thorne stated that a future Democratic Labour Party government would prioritise values, restoring identity, community and moral grounding. “We have to inject values back into people’s lives, and that is where we pledge to be as a new government.”
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