The decision, as outlined in the Ministry of Education’s new National Grooming Policy, to allow students to wear dreadlocks and cornrow hairstyles uncovered at school was extremely long in coming.Barbados is a country populated by people of African descent. The frowning on and opposing our God-given hair in the most natural state is something that should have been dealt with firmly long ago.We speak eloquently about a new national consciousness. The man who we will celebrate next week, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow asked us to reflect on what mirror image we have of ourselves. Our current Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley wears her natural hair with pride. Next month, in schools, we will tell students about the importance of African Awareness Month and embracing our heritage.Yet, only in 2023 have we decided to “allow” and “accept” natural hair.The road that has led us here has been long, challenging and winding and it needed not to be.
We must state upfront we do not condone illegal squatting. But we understand how and why people, ofttimes encouraged by politicians, find themselves in this precarious situation.Successive governments have failed to provide low-income housing at the same pace as the demand. While we have a history of living in extended families, the feeling of independence becomes crucial especially as our citizenry seek to build their own families.Earlier this year during the Estimates debate, former Minister of Housing George Payne accused his Government of moving away from its primary role of providing housing for the poor.