Photo above: Freundel Stuart, our dark-skinned black race Christian Prime Minister
Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart isn’t usually known for kicking sleeping dogs or trying to put out fires with buckets of petrol – but that just changed.
PM Stuart, (a Christian and a black man with darker skin) was talking to The Nation about comments made by Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) general secretary Sir Roy Trotman. Stuart says he can no offence with Sir Roy for saying that Diamonds International employees were sacked by an “Egyptian Jew”, businessman Jacob Hassid. (BFP’s original story about Sir Roy’s comments here)
Roy Trotman is a black man with slightly lighter skin than Prime Minister Stuart. Sir Roy is thought to be a nominal Christian of unknown denomination and is under fire for bring race, religion and ethnic origins into a labour dispute.
Let’s try this experiment…
If as Prime Minister Stuart says, there is nothing wrong and no offence with Sir Roy Trotman’s remarks, we invite the PM, Mr. Trotman, The Nation and the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation to adopt Mr. Trotman’s standard for a week. If Trotman’s comments are not playing the race card to stir up the predominantly black-skinned and Christian union membership – if his comments that an employer is “an Egyptian Jew” are normal and acceptable speech on this island, then let’s embrace Mr. Trotman’s and PM Stuart’s standard.
I wonder what former CBC anchor Ian Bourne will have to say about this at his Bajan Reporter news website. Mr. Bourne is of mixed race with lighter skin, and is either a Christian or a B’hai. Or something.
Further Reading
Please read the full article at the Nation’s website here, but unfortunately BFP has to reprint their entire story because that newspaper has a history of removing and changing news stories to suit changing agendas…
Non-issue
May 14, 2012
A NON-DEBATE!
That is how Prime Minister Freundel Stuart last night described the raging public discussion surrounding union leader Sir Roy Trotman’s description of Diamonds International boss Jacob Hassid as an “Egyptian Jew”.
Asked to comment on a situation which has escalated to the point where some Barbadians have called on the head of the Barbados Worker’s Union (BWU) to resign and another trade union leader suggested he be stripped of his knighthood, the Prime Minister told the DAILY NATION he could find no offence which Sir Roy had committed.
“The comments complained of, I am still trying to find out where to locate the offence,” he said.
Barbados Free Press 
I think Leroy Trotman is wrong, he should demit his Knighthood forthwith, if he resists? Report him to the ILO – I have some Headline stories on my Front Page where I mention the situation within another article but nevertheless state my vehement objections. Having worked in the jewellery industry I can tell you it is sales and performance driven but what does a man’s nationality (which is inaccurate based on the initial comment) or his Religion have to do with hiring and firing practices? You will also find similar statements from me on facebook, I stand by my belief. Totally inappropriate!
Why are you so surprised, Stuart has trouble finding anything, even the Clico report. Has he found it yet…and read it?
Do not worry, he will have plentty of time, after roughly nine months, to assess where the ‘offense occurred’.
Or is Trottie ‘his friend too?
His cognitive abilities are in question, he also has trouble assessing Clico, Alexandra, Four Seasons.
His default strategy…sit back and watch! Absolutely abysmal as a PM.
Errol Barrow would have been ashamed that a DLP PM allowed such inappropriate comment to go without condemnation. Remember, Barrow said and meant, Friend of ALL, satellite of none.
But then, Barrow actually spent time working with people in the war and after, from all nationalities, he was world educated.
Different category completely.
Sir Roy has said nothing that he should be ashamed of.
The other man is an Egyptian, and he is a Jew.
Sir Roy has always been known for calling a spade a spade.
Calling this character an Egyptian Jew is an accurate description.
I can think of a few other terms he should have called him!
I really do not know what else I can say about Mr. Stuarts’s Prime Ministerial postions on matters of national interest. When it is ok for him not to be saying ‘nutten’ he says something that convinces me personally that he really ain’t saying ‘nutten’. Then when he says something heh comes over as one who seems not to understand the magnitude of the thing he is commenting on. So again he has a stated position and personal opinion and overlooks the national outrage because in his eyes it is a non issue.
Like I have said on this blog before: except for the description of the business man as an Egyptian jew, I thought that Sir Roy Trotman’s speech was spot on. Be that as it may, Sir Roy would have known that he would have gotten his ass cut for a statement that is subject to many interpretations. Was he hoping that persons would have understood that when he say Egytian jew he meant that the businessman is from Egypt and he is jew THAT IS ALL? Hmmmmmm
Barbados is a racially divided island and racism is alive and kicking bout hey. So any statement rather the intention was not meant tot carry a racial slur, even if Sir Roy Trotman did not meant it to be so it is so in the eyes of many. Sir Roy you were wrong if even you feel that you were right thus you should apologise. And Mr. Prime Minister your analysis of this one is spot off.
Aye BFP why my SSS depicted as a number
Jacob Hassid was born in Israel, he was nowhere near Cairo during his birth, the only people of note of Judaic persuasion in Egypt were Moses & Jesus
I imagine the PM was trying to defuse the situation by saying it didn’t happen consistently with the idea that in Bim you don’t talk about racism still less acknowledge its presence. The report quoted is very brief of course.
This debate is getting into details of a person’s skin tone that has no bearing at all. Those who now are judging on whether one’s skin is darker or lighter have gone beyond reason. Check how you criticize before going further with this debate, It could say that you yourself are able to see differences in others due to being darker or lighter skinned, then you are no better than the one you are criticising. Many are appalled by a comment made publicly, yet we can very quickly judge each other as being too dark, and therfore not good enough. This to me, is a symptom of an underlying colour issue that we have not yet brought to the surface to deal with. It does no good to constantly attach anyone, but to look at the bigger picture of why this kind of comment can cause such anger among us.
Barbados as a country, especially so since independence, has a history of” respect and tolerance”.Sir Leroy Trotman would have found it intolerable should he have been addressed publicly, by anyone, as, Sir Leroy Trotman, dark skinned, Christian Barbadian. And I am positive he would have raised a thunderous cry of outrage at such a description which clearly carries undertones of racisim and possibly religious intolerance. This is a very un Barbadian thing that has occured.
Once again the PM has talked and said foolishness when he should have kept his mouth shut.It is a lot better to say nothing when you have nothing to say.
Egyptians are black. What has colour got 2 do with it. Coming from so called ministers. Barbados get a grip and recognise racism coming from your leaders. What an example they set. Disgraceful
So Stuart sees no problem with inflammatory racist language. Another reason to vote the DLP at the election. I don’t expect the BLP to do any better but a vote of no confidence in the DLP goes a long way to register dissatisfaction.
Apart from WHAT he said, Trotman`s delivery was something to watch.Sometimes, its not what you say, but HOW you say it.(Tone, volume level, facial and body language, etc)
The HOW he spoke , was to me as revealing as the WHAT he said.
Skin colour is a fascinating subject. Gee says that Egyptians are ‘black’. A half-caste child in the UK is thought of as ‘black’ by whites and ‘white’ by blacks. And what of ‘red’? And when is ‘white’ not ‘white’ but ‘pink’ or ‘raw chicken’? Women think men don’t like ‘very black’ and so use (or did) Venus de Milo to become ‘light’. Personally, I’m not partial to the sign of mortality in visible ‘blue’ veins on the thorax.
@ Yatin
If you see this to you please say and keep posted with me. I have concerns about Raul.
Trotman should be fired and have his Knighthood revoked. The longer this does not happen, the more it will viewed as acceptable to use racist and derogatory language for any section of this society people do not agree with. Trotman’s language was used under the guise of protecting civil rights whilst abusing human rights. There MUST be no place for that kind of language in any modern society. As a message to all, The Government, Union and Governor General must take action to state that it will not be tolerated.
I will make one last comment about this matter and thereafter desist.
OKEBA
You have hit the nail on the head concerning this issue and are so right. However the inference drawn from Sir Leroy’s comments have shown the far reaching consequences of speaking out of context without careful thought or clarity. That was is why I said in an early comment that the interpretation is subject to the interpreter and as such the comments will vary from extreme to absolutely rediculous.
Anyone who thinks that my little island is not racially divided is a fool to say the least. Sir Leroy deserves the chastisement and ass whipping he is getting today because he equated the trampling of the rights of Barbadian workers with the business dominance of an Egyptian jew who accroding to Sir Roy is disrespectful of workers rights and who feels that their status, wealth and power makes them immune to everything that is Barbados. If he did not describe the goodly gentleman in that light no one would have had reason to question his speech. Up until now he does not seem to understand along with our PM that in the context of what he said on Labour Day, a negative description was suggestive of the businessman’s identity. And that coming from a recognized leader a bad precedence was set when he made that statement. He needs to extend a public apology unless his status, power and position has gone to his head.
To all other commenters who want Sir Roy’s Head
Those who are running with this one tooting all types of ugly remarks should really check themselves. I bet we all are guilty of playing the race card at some stage in our little island. Its either black, white or shady, racist or non racist. Slanderous or non slanderous. Which are you?
What is so denigrating about address someone as an Egyptian Jew? Jews once lived in North Africa in the 14th century, and they also played an influential role in the Byzantine Empire. I could understand if it was said in such away as to besmear the character of the Egyptian Jew. I know for a fact that some Egyptians are prejudice against people of African descent.
its indeed a non issue black bajan business owners are called black bajan businessmen,
I know for a fact that some black peeps, Africans, dark Cbeans, Jammies especially, etc are prejudiced against lighter people! But of course darker peeps are NOT Racists! Is it not ironic that some of the very people who suffered under racism want to perpetuate the system in reverse. How are we ever going to respect each other if we dont decide to stop the rot?
How do we have sensible open discussion on race?
Since Egyptians are African, does this mean that Sir Roy dislikes Africans?
If Sir Roy hates the vile racists whites that gave him his Knighthood why did he accept the accolade? Seems he could be a HYPOCRIT! What does he stand for? When does he plan to start behaving like a KNIGHT? The gents ethnicity and religion have nothing to do with the situation in question.
I have been a victim of black/ darker people behaving racist on many occasions BUT have never resorted to retaliation using racial epithets and indeed have a multitude of dark friends from the time I played with my neighbours at age 4. I have even been threatened by ignorant rass Jammie while obviously in the company of dark people, totally unbelievable since I had not even conversed with the idiot. I still and always will have plenty dark friends.
I was really shocked when the PM decided that this was the appropriate time to come out from under his desk, while in a fetal position, to comment on this topic rather than announcing his Grand Economic Plan for extricating BIM from the vice grip of White peeps economic stupidity.
it is a racist description as his race, faith, place of birth etc had nothing to do with the issue , therefore it had to be made to galvanise support for the union without considering the facts ( whatever they are).
take the comments into the contex that:
there is a dispute,
The guys race, gender, faith norr place of birth has any relivence
The guy is of a minority in every aspect of the description.
how would a description of Sir Roy in simular manner be taken if made in the middle east or Asia.
The insinuation by Leroy Trotman of how a Jew should be frowned on for creating employment strife is redolent of Hitler in 1920 with the then fledgling National Socialist party better known by its abbreviation – NAZI
BFP I cited History and you filter locked it
Unlocked. I think the filter hit because nazi word.
george
It seems to me that every time Fumble Through-it comments on an issue of National importance, he supports the staus quo.
I don’t believe in revolution but we do need change.
For me, Fumble’s most memorable comment was when he said something to the effect that the public sector in Barbados was efficient.
He must be about the only person outside the public sector who thinks that.
extremely disappointing response from the PM in my opinion. There was no need for Trotman to bring the man’s nationality or creed into the discussion.
If the shoe was on the other foot and somebody get up and said but that black bajan everybody would be up in arms
Stuart is a complete jackass who should have kept his mouth shut. I fully appreciate Donville Inniss’ bold stance on this matter and his defence of the business community. As he said ’employers have rights too – whether you run a conglomerate or have a maid only”.
I would vote for the DEMS only if Donville Inniss is made PM. He has the intestinal fortitude, intellect, international experience and political swavviness to do the job. He is much better than Mia. Freundel should go home gracefully. he is out of touch with his people.
I have nothing against the language used By Sir Leroy regarding “Egyptian Jew” since an Egyptian lives in Egypt and of jewish religion. The only problem is the timing by the Prime Minister after two of his ministers criticising the labour chief. The timing was wrong since Mr. Inniss was present.
@patriot: Maybe Donville Inniss will run the country like his porn business?
I don’t know who is more useless…Freundel or Sandiford…both are stupid if they think Bajans don’t know all about their inaction and don’t intend to penalize them accordingly in the history books and at the polls. They are as useful as a eunuch in a harem of 1,000 beauties.
Firstly I want to remind everyone that the Middle East, as we know it today was Christian/Pagan/Jewish before Islam took over, by force of war, 600 years after the birth of Jesus. Secondly, anyone who goes to Egypt today will see with their own eyes that although a part of Africa, Egyptians DO NOT APPEAR TO BE BLACK, apart from the Nubians. Most inhabitants of Egypt look like any other Mediterranian group, light brown. The people of Egypt have looked very much the same for thousands of years (see tomb paintings) and the culture of Egypt bears little resemblance to West Africa, East Africa or South Africa. Egyptians, both long dead and modern share little common genetic material with the rest of Africa, face it and get a grip.
It is a dream shared by many of African descent to lay claim to the wonder of ancient Egypt as their patrimony, yet they would do better to study the history of the Akaan people of West Africa to find their pride. There is so much history to be learned about the triumph of West Africa where most slaves came from before the slave trade started; the universities in ancient times, the discovery of iron foundry the beautiful sculptures of Benin, the gold of the Asantes and their amazing artwork, the schools and poetry. It is a constant puzzle to me why modern descendants of the slave trade choose to gaze at Egypt, instead of looking back to West Africa and its proud history. Look at what these descendants of slavery have brought to the modern world! Sculpture from West Africa inspired Picasso and the Cubists; African music made blues and jazz. We wouldn’t have rock and roll without the African cultural influence. Modern culture is so influenced by African input, nobody can deny it. Reggae! Yay! Notitng Hill Carnival! Yes, Look at New Orleans! Descendants of slaves may well loathe the ancestors who sold them but nevertheless, should be aware that even through horrible times, they have come out as a big and welcome influence on our culture.
@ Victor
Spot on.
Rastaman. For years we have been having all sorts of nasty things to say about politicians. If Inniss was indeed a porn king as you and others claim to be, why was he allowed to be in business under the BLP? Afterall he was in the DLP for over 30 years and this was well known to the Bees.
I am aware of several multinational entities which he successfully ran from Barbados, USA, Canada and Cuba.
I consider him to be a former succesful entrepreneur who has been castigated because he seemed successful in the offshore sector. Despite all of the personal attacks he stayed focus and has now emerged as one of the most successful Ministers in recent times and to my mind, the best there is in the DLP.
Here again, perhaps because he is black and successful that we try to condemn him.
So let us cut out the crap and move on to reality.
Inniss has my support
So Roy Trotman would be a Barbadian Christian? The Prime Minister also a Barbadian Christian. So when talking about them, we can say Prime Minister Stuart, that Barbadian Christian said so and so. Or Sir Roy, that Barbadian Christian, said so and so….. why put a label on them unless for some purpose?
@Tell Me Why,
Bullcrap. The comments were irrelevant, useless and the context everything.
He made the statement not expecting to be called on it, that is all.
Well, he is shown up.
He is a nasty little shite.
I agree with the others. If an English labour leader or PM referred to Barbadian people in England or here as ‘the Barbadian, Black Christian, you would hear the clamour.
And race is relevant, ‘Jew’ is both a racial and religious term , as you obviously misunderstand. Both in terms of technical and ‘usage ion the past’.
No, it needs to be accounted for.
Oh, and one more thing. cartoons in the news etc refer to the issue not dying.
Well, IT SHOULD NOT be allowed to. It is too serious.
Whether or not the Prime Minister’s words were racist in nature, all depends on if he used them with malice intent. One could easily argue that
his words were racially insensitive, inappropriate, and politically incorrect.
Nevertheless, the only way to determine with any degree of certitude, whether or not the Prime Minister is racist. All depends on his track- record. You’ll have heard the saying, that if you want to know a horse you have to check his track-record. Here is the question, has the Prime Minister demonstrates in the past, either through his political demagoguery, or his actions, racist tendencies towards Jewish or Egyptian people?
Clearly,we have to use the Prime Minster’s historical testimony, as the basic criteria to determine his psychological apparatus.
Now don’t misconstrue my honest intentions here, because I’m not condoning the Prime Minister’s actions, if there are found to be racially intolerant; because I’ll be the first to decry this kind of derogatory articulation of the English Language. But it is critically important nonetheless,that we understand that we shouldn’t be so quick to judge the Prime Minister’s actions, before we ascertain his true motives.
It is universally acknowledge in the academic world that we can prove anything by Theory or Statistics, that’s a fact. Now, note of caution, we have to be cognizant of the fact that we do not allow emotions to be our
guide, rather than reason, when rationalizing the Prime Minister’s verbiage.
Our opinions amount to nothing more than rubbish, if we merely utilize the instruments of: intuition, premonition, speculation, interpretation, and
extrapolation. Rather than empirical data with corroborates, substantiates, and validates our position.
@Mark Fenty:
FACT: Little Man Leroy the Great Goosestepper made a racial slur. Indisputable fact.
Stop smoking meth!
@Mark Fenty:
FACT: The PM was quoted by the Nation news as saying Little Leroy has nothing to apologise for. A factual testament to his ability to espouse verbiage without much understanding of a situation.
Reblogged this on turcanin. cu ţ..
@ Chris
Chris with the brain-power of an ant, and the judgment of a frog, I understand quite well how you can arrive at the conclusion. Man you’re so ignorant it is incomprehensible, I wonder how you manage to put on your shoes in the morning.
@ Chris
Chris let me ask you this question sir. Lets say that I call an individual of Jewish descent an American Jew, would that be considered a racial epithet?
I categorically and unequivocally agree with the Prime Minister’s position, “That there is nothing wrong with call someone an Egyptian Jew”. It is quite the same as calling a person of African descent, and Africa American or an Afro- West Indian. In this race -sensitive -cilmate some of us have a propensity to interpret anything that concatenates with race, as racially intolerance, especially when it involves individuals of opposite races. The question that should have been asked is this, has the Prime Minister in anyway shape, or form, demonstrated in his policies and practices racial bigotry? But some verbal monsters have a proclivity to use every opportunity they get, to utilize the instrument political demagoguery, in an effort to arouse conscience of the ill-informed populace. I can’t speak for the Prime Minister’s thought process at the time he expressed his views. Nor do I understand the principles with directs his psychological frame of reference at the time. But one thing I do know is this, calling someone an Egyptian Jew comes no way close to be labeled a racial epithet.
I categorically unequivocally agree with the Prime Minister position, “That there is nothing wrong with call someone an Egyptian Jew”. It is quite the same as calling a person of African descent, and African American, or an Afro- West Indian. In this race -sensitive climate some of us have a
propensity to interpret anything that concatenates with race, as racially intolerance, especially when it involves individuals of opposite races. The question that should have been asked is this, has the Prime Minister in anyway shape, or form, demonstrated in his policies and practices in the past any racial bigotry? But some verbal monsters have a proclivity to use every opportunity they get, to utilize the instrument political demagoguery, in an effort to arouse conscience of the ill-informed populace. I can’t speak for the Prime Minister’s thought process, at the time expressed these views. Nor do I understand the principles with directs his psychological frame of reference at the time. But one thing I do know is this, calling someone an Egyptian Jew comes no way close to be labeled a racial epithet.
@Chris
Chris the mere scope of your understanding prevents you from understanding, that one shouldn’t narrowly confine his views on any give issue. I make a practice to always take a comprehensive approach to any
given issue that I’m endeavoring to analysis. But I can see that modesty isn’t one of your strong qualities, neither intelligence, nor interpretive extrapolation. Sir,I don’t care how much seasoning you attempt to put on it, I’m not buying the argument that the Prime Minister’s views is nothing less the honorable.
Chris I’m hanging on a cliff earnestly anticipating your pathetic reply.
@ Mark Fenty
I overheard Chris say,”Mark let go the cliff”! LOL
Mr.Moneybrain,
You does read minds, seriously??!! Lol. I didnt bother to reply, because as much as he professes intellectual thought, it is no more than cow mush.
Much better to ‘thin the herd’ and let natural selection take its course i.e. LET GO THE CLIFF!! Lol
the word jew has been used in a negative way such as n$gg#r. if leroy was referred to as a christian n$gg#r , we would all be in an uproar
you know Barbados is in serious trouble when :
a) a babbling labour union leader trying to stay revelant by playing th race card
b) a do nothing PM pretending to be relevant cant find what is wrong with an overtly racist comment from that bablle mouth
c) an old stodgy white man happy to use the babbling black union leader as a tool ( and what a tool he is ) against his “goreign”business opponent whilst clearly not understanding the industry that they are competing in is so closely interwoven and almost monoploside that his actions or musings will definitely not go unnoticed.
Maybe I’m somewhat insensitive when it comes to the words and phrases which modern culture deems politically incorrect. Or is it sheer ignorance on my part, to see nothing wrong with the Prime Minister validation of the fact that there nothing wrong with calling some an Egyptian Jew?
@mark.. yes, modern culture is what it is ..modern.. reflective of the prevailing attitude.. just like we dont say negro anymore . It is all symptomatic of a world that is now a mere village and elevated consciousness of each other’s right. we look across not down.
A politican’s validation ? well that speaks for itself. They do what in their political interest, or so they think.
The mere words of “an Egyptian Jew” is no controversy, but the context in which it was uttered reflects very disturbing mindset but reflective of a society that is yet to find peace with itself
I have been called my times over African American. And quite frankly, I saw nothing wrong with it, even those I’m quote, unquote Afro- West Indian by European standards I guess. Now I’m not naïve to that fact that the contextualization, fundamentally influences the outcomes of what one wants to express, if you know what I’m saying? But, are we inferring that the word “Jew” is somehow associated with sometime more than just a nationality, religion or civilization, especially in the context in which Sir Leroy Trotmen articulated it?
@Disgrace
Disgrace, I understand quite well where you’re coming from. However, when one examine the context in which Mr. Trotman utilized these words; I think
you would agree with me when I say that there are left to one’s extrapolation, or interpretation.
I have been called many times over African American, even though I’m quote, unquote Afro-West Indian by European Standards I guess. Now, I not naive to the fact that the contextualization, fundamentally influences the outcome of what one wants to express, if you know where I’m coming from? But, are we inferring that the word “Jew” is somehow associated with more than just Nationality, Religion, and Civilization, especially in the context in which Sir Leroy Trotman articulates them.
@ mark… yes it is indeed left to either one’s extrapolation or interpretation of the word.. but my question .. why ? Why would a national union leader (Sir at that) engaging in rhetoric at a May day rally use a word that can be misinterpeted. Because he is well aware that there is a sublime message that can reverberate in this Barbados society.. foreign, rich, stingy, clanish.. all little sterotypes that have planted over the years. Doesn’t have to say it aloud, just infer .. It is like saying Guyanese.. an immediate picture comes to mind that is very negative and factually incorrect..
Barbados tolerates people but it is not a tolerant society so yes when the word “jew” is used by the likes of Trotman, it is asociated with something that is entirely alien and very un barbados which is the most blessed land on this planet.
@disgrace–Barbados tolerates…..but it is not a tolerant society so –what kind of nonsense are you articulating here? @ ian bourne—unashaming use of the holocaust card to stir up a small issue—you’ve been exposed!!