An unknown (by many) truth is that there's a very similar story in St Elizabeth in Jamaica but with a crucial major difference to Barbados. When slavery was coming to an end, the elites of the Caribbean (usually White) were afraid. Slavery ended in Haiti because Polish soldiers fought alongside Black Haitians and slaughtered the French. Slavery trading ended in Britain because of the abolitionist movement which was largely a White working class movement. The elites feared not only race war but also regular Whites working with newly freed Blacks to overthrow the powerful Whites. Each Caribbean territory had their own way of dealing with the White ex slaves depending on the size of the population. Barbados and Jamaica went for the same policy. Send the lower class Whites to the most remote out of the way part of the island. In Jamaica that was (in those days) South St Elizabeth. So a poor White colony grew similar to that in Barbados. And when immigrants came from Europe, if they were deemed high class enough then they joined the elites. If they were seen as lower class (like the Scottish) then they were encouraged to settle in South St Elizabeth. But then what changed it was bauxite mining and the general development of St Elizabeth which increased road transport and brought the area far more in touch with the rest. Blacks from other parts of Jamaica or even St Elizabeth moved there. Mixing occurred between them and the Whites and within one generation a large Mixed population was born. Years later they mixed with White, Black or other Mixed people. And that is why in South St Elizabeth there's an actual melting pot akin to Jamaica's motto. There are some crazy theories out there that make no sense. These redlegs people are essentially the White St Elizabethans but prior to the arrival of Black people in the area.
This report would have been applicable 50 years ago. It’s a stupid story. They don’t stand out as any community now. Government helps all. They are not more special than the rest of those living on the island. Haven’t heard the term redlegs for at least 40 years!
The Barbados government helps everyone who wants to accept help. In the past the Community chose not to mix with the rest of the population. I have family from that area. During the last 60 years the Red Leg Coummity has become more inclusive.
As part of that community, the targeted outreach is a good one but as stated, RIhanna is still reaching out to help ALL Bajans, regardless of origin. My father left Barbados and joined the police service in Trinidad because in those days, Barbados was so small, not having the employment to fit so T&T was an obvious choice back then. I have seen information on the Irish government intitating a programme to assist the "Redleg' community but it is stil positive on all counts.
They deserve every penny that both governments should have already been providing. I cannot believe that this punishment and cruelty has arrived in 2023. The suffering.,.unimaginable. What the hell???!!!!
Every bajan black white, red leg, green leg..has access to whatever is provided by government..allyuh trying to get mileage from Rihana's name. Poor taste..
@Sun Kulcha This video is absolute nonsense! Why is anyone trying to make out as though this community is somehow being deliberately mistreated or treated separately from other Barbadians? There are many glaring inaccuracies and assumptions being made about Barbados, Barbadians and Rihanna. This is clearly a hit piece and is meant to be emotionally manipulative. You clearly know nothing about this country or its history!
AYYYE, stop with the guilt shit. You don't know that woman. They may have treated her mother like a dog! Kick rocks trying to make her take care of these people! TELL IRELAND!
Thank you for the comment Proud Seeker, but the video was not done to make anyone feel guilty, especially Rihanna because she does a lot for Barbados. In this life, two wrongs never, ever made something right. Blessings!
After Ireland was made aware of them they started the process to actually help these people.. Imagine if other countries cared about their people that much ....
Did u just say thank u proud seeker for his ignorance? N stop saying Irish were indentured, indentured is mutual,Irish came forcefully against there will under Cromwell and king James so stop this, indentured u get something in return or comp, real Irish blooded natives couldn't own land in there own native Ireland so I highly doubt in a different English colony like the west indies that the English would let them get anything or own any land, redlegs prove my point 😂😂😂😂 the pieces are there to put together,u just got liberal snowflakes trying to say other ish....real Irish blooded natives couldn't own businesses in there own native Ireland or speak gaelic......Jameson whiskey and Guinness are not real Irish blooded native......u have to really be ignorant to think cromwell a guy who murdered half of Ireland native population is gonna mutually give irish land after indentured contract in English colony Barbados but real Irish blooded natives cant own land in there own native Ireland a English colony at the time😂😂😂😂😂😂
What i don't understand is why as born Barbadians don't they find themselves and do as other Barbadians do, look after themselves, go to the doctor, i assume they have jobs, or do they think because their skin is lighter that they're somehow special? And deserve to be treated differently than any other Bajan? Those still in that state of proverty don't want to mix with black Bajans, the Government past and present represents ALL Barbadians. No special treatment for a few, as per this video, Rihanna's family was part of that community, so why didn't this Great Aunt stayed there? Someone should explain that. Not put the blame for Rihanna should be responsible for her welfare, the woman does enough for her country why should she have to do extra for this woman, who i'm sure will call herself a Barbadian. I would've like to hear them speak for themselves, not a reporter putting their spin on it. JS
Listen, as a Barbadian I tell you this video is absolutely misleading. Barbados has universal health care. ALL Barbadians have access to medical and dental services provided by the gov't of Bdos funded by the taxpayers' dollars. Anyone can opt not to manage their personal health. We have the right to self-determination! And YES, folks in this subgroup of Barbadian population DO work and pay bills like everybody else! As for dragging Rihanna into this, who knows what relationship she and the great-aunt have, if any. For all we know she could have offered to do things and may have been refused. Some older folks are prideful and set in their ways. This is a clear attempt to smear her. Steeeeuuuupse!
If these people are Barbadians, then they should not look outside for whatever help they need. It seems that Europeans who comprise a diaspora, does not connect to the space they are in for generations ( unless they are the ruling class) and cry out for special consideration, and they choose not to assimilate into the wider society as a whole. Now, they are requesting to be rescued.
Yes and they should have been rescued generations ago. I'm sure the prejudice they suffer by the majority of original Barbadians has stifled their ability to thrive emotionally 1st.
this would have been a wonderful piece of well researched work had you not used it to dig at Ms. Fenty. You are uninformed they did not mix, my maternal grandmother who is of this direct ancestry married a man of ebony skin, they were not interested in her once she married into the Black Bajan community. I understood from bended knee that this was a choice made by the Irish of the Cromwell years. It's complicated please do proper quantitative and qualitative work so you're taken seriously. Who knows how Rhianna's Black mother was treated when she married into the messed up Fenty Family she owes them nothing. And I appreciate the comments from Bajans who know good on ya.
did you ask rihanna's grandma if she wants running water? Maybe she doesnt want to stand out in a community of impoverished people-its not always best to meddle with things....
The Irish People that were taken to Barbados didn't go on a Cruise ship for a holiday. They were taken in BONDAGE, SOLD , and were Outcast's. If you know your History and Geography, IRELAND is an Island in the Atlantic , we are not joined at the Hip to ENGLAND. Our Ancestors suffered 800 of British Colonialism,. Today 2024 there are as many Africans living in Ireland, whom are Respectful and Blessed Citizens. Your Ignorance is tragic. From- The Emerald Isle of Ireland . God Bless You. 🙏🇮🇪🙏
Irish were imported as slaves to Barbados in chains because the English sugar cane plantation owners wanted lighter skinned sex slaves so they mixed them with their black slaves. If think this is a lie or exaggeration just read "to hell or Barbados" by Sean O'Callaghan. It's thoroughly researched.
An unknown (by many) truth is that there's a very similar story in St Elizabeth in Jamaica but with a crucial major difference to Barbados.
When slavery was coming to an end, the elites of the Caribbean (usually White) were afraid. Slavery ended in Haiti because Polish soldiers fought alongside Black Haitians and slaughtered the French. Slavery trading ended in Britain because of the abolitionist movement which was largely a White working class movement.
The elites feared not only race war but also regular Whites working with newly freed Blacks to overthrow the powerful Whites.
Each Caribbean territory had their own way of dealing with the White ex slaves depending on the size of the population.
Barbados and Jamaica went for the same policy. Send the lower class Whites to the most remote out of the way part of the island.
In Jamaica that was (in those days) South St Elizabeth. So a poor White colony grew similar to that in Barbados. And when immigrants came from Europe, if they were deemed high class enough then they joined the elites. If they were seen as lower class (like the Scottish) then they were encouraged to settle in South St Elizabeth.
But then what changed it was bauxite mining and the general development of St Elizabeth which increased road transport and brought the area far more in touch with the rest.
Blacks from other parts of Jamaica or even St Elizabeth moved there. Mixing occurred between them and the Whites and within one generation a large Mixed population was born. Years later they mixed with White, Black or other Mixed people. And that is why in South St Elizabeth there's an actual melting pot akin to Jamaica's motto.
There are some crazy theories out there that make no sense.
These redlegs people are essentially the White St Elizabethans but prior to the arrival of Black people in the area.
This report would have been applicable 50 years ago. It’s a stupid story. They don’t stand out as any community now. Government helps all. They are not more special than the rest of those living on the island. Haven’t heard the term redlegs for at least 40 years!
The Barbados government helps everyone who wants to accept help. In the past the Community chose not to mix with the rest of the population. I have family from that area. During the last 60 years the Red Leg Coummity has become more inclusive.
As part of that community, the targeted outreach is a good one but as stated, RIhanna is still reaching out to help ALL Bajans, regardless of origin. My father left Barbados and joined the police service in Trinidad because in those days, Barbados was so small, not having the employment to fit so T&T was an obvious choice back then. I have seen information on the Irish government intitating a programme to assist the "Redleg' community but it is stil positive on all counts.
They deserve every penny that both governments should have already been providing. I cannot believe that this punishment and cruelty has arrived in 2023. The suffering.,.unimaginable. What the hell???!!!!
Every bajan black white, red leg, green leg..has access to whatever is provided by government..allyuh trying to get mileage from Rihana's name. Poor taste..
They definitely are invisible, I was shocked when I stopped by their community.
You must be a tourist. These folks are not invisible to Barbadians. In fact, some have become prominent!
@Sun Kulcha This video is absolute nonsense! Why is anyone trying to make out as though this community is somehow being deliberately mistreated or treated separately from other Barbadians? There are many glaring inaccuracies and assumptions being made about Barbados, Barbadians and Rihanna. This is clearly a hit piece and is meant to be emotionally manipulative. You clearly know nothing about this country or its history!
AYYYE, stop with the guilt shit. You don't know that woman. They may have treated her mother like a dog! Kick rocks trying to make her take care of these people! TELL IRELAND!
Thank you for the comment Proud Seeker, but the video was not done to make anyone feel guilty, especially Rihanna because she does a lot for Barbados. In this life, two wrongs never, ever made something right. Blessings!
After Ireland was made aware of them they started the process to actually help these people..
Imagine if other countries cared about their people that much ....
Did u just say thank u proud seeker for his ignorance? N stop saying Irish were indentured, indentured is mutual,Irish came forcefully against there will under Cromwell and king James so stop this, indentured u get something in return or comp, real Irish blooded natives couldn't own land in there own native Ireland so I highly doubt in a different English colony like the west indies that the English would let them get anything or own any land, redlegs prove my point 😂😂😂😂 the pieces are there to put together,u just got liberal snowflakes trying to say other ish....real Irish blooded natives couldn't own businesses in there own native Ireland or speak gaelic......Jameson whiskey and Guinness are not real Irish blooded native......u have to really be ignorant to think cromwell a guy who murdered half of Ireland native population is gonna mutually give irish land after indentured contract in English colony Barbados but real Irish blooded natives cant own land in there own native Ireland a English colony at the time😂😂😂😂😂😂
What i don't understand is why as born Barbadians don't they find themselves and do as other Barbadians do, look after themselves, go to the doctor, i assume they have jobs, or do they think because their skin is lighter that they're somehow special? And deserve to be treated differently than any other Bajan? Those still in that state of proverty don't want to mix with black Bajans, the Government past and present represents ALL Barbadians. No special treatment for a few, as per this video, Rihanna's family was part of that community, so why didn't this Great Aunt stayed there? Someone should explain that. Not put the blame for Rihanna should be responsible for her welfare, the woman does enough for her country why should she have to do extra for this woman, who i'm sure will call herself a Barbadian. I would've like to hear them speak for themselves, not a reporter putting their spin on it. JS
Listen, as a Barbadian I tell you this video is absolutely misleading. Barbados has universal health care. ALL Barbadians have access to medical and dental services provided by the gov't of Bdos funded by the taxpayers' dollars. Anyone can opt not to manage their personal health. We have the right to self-determination! And YES, folks in this subgroup of Barbadian population DO work and pay bills like everybody else! As for dragging Rihanna into this, who knows what relationship she and the great-aunt have, if any. For all we know she could have offered to do things and may have been refused. Some older folks are prideful and set in their ways. This is a clear attempt to smear her. Steeeeuuuupse!
Right I agree. Whoever made this video obviously just against Rihanna. They need to be ashamed to make negative comments about the singer.
One of the biggest companies in the region was started by a "Red Leg"
If these people are Barbadians, then they should not look outside for whatever help they need. It seems that Europeans who comprise a diaspora, does not connect to the space they are in for generations ( unless they are the ruling class) and cry out for special consideration, and they choose not to assimilate into the wider society as a whole. Now, they are requesting to be rescued.
Yes and they should have been rescued generations ago. I'm sure the prejudice they suffer by the majority of original Barbadians has stifled their ability to thrive emotionally 1st.
Betty(Elizabeth) Fenty is Rihanna's Grandma not great aunt. Definitely a well-researched article.
this would have been a wonderful piece of well researched work had you not used it to dig at Ms. Fenty. You are uninformed they did not mix, my maternal grandmother who is of this direct ancestry married a man of ebony skin, they were not interested in her once she married into the Black Bajan community. I understood from bended knee that this was a choice made by the Irish of the Cromwell years. It's complicated please do proper quantitative and qualitative work so you're taken seriously. Who knows how Rhianna's Black mother was treated when she married into the messed up Fenty Family she owes them nothing. And I appreciate the comments from Bajans who know good on ya.
This is pure rot.
Y should RiRi ?
Maybe they didn't like blacks mixing with the white
They turned out so healthy
Rihanna who??
did you ask rihanna's grandma if she wants running water? Maybe she doesnt want to stand out in a community of impoverished people-its not always best to meddle with things....
Not her responsibility
Of course the government of Barbados should be looking after them.
The Government of Barbados looks after all its Citizens. They're not special. They don't want the same help like the other Barbadians.
Rihanna is black not Irish, not white we in a black Barbadians I will like Irish to go back to England, were they came from
the Irish came from Ireland not from england fool .
The Irish People that were taken to Barbados didn't go on a Cruise ship for a holiday. They were taken in BONDAGE, SOLD , and were Outcast's. If you know your History and Geography, IRELAND is an Island in the Atlantic , we are not joined at the Hip to ENGLAND. Our Ancestors suffered 800 of British Colonialism,. Today 2024 there are as many Africans living in Ireland, whom are Respectful and Blessed Citizens. Your Ignorance is tragic. From- The Emerald Isle of Ireland . God Bless You. 🙏🇮🇪🙏
Irish were imported as slaves to Barbados in chains because the English sugar cane plantation owners wanted lighter skinned sex slaves so they mixed them with their black slaves. If think this is a lie or exaggeration just read "to hell or Barbados" by Sean O'Callaghan. It's thoroughly researched.