olde Barbadoes

In the early 1800's and 1900's, many of Bridgetown's white merchant class lived near to their businesses just on the outskirts of the capital Bridgetown, in an area called Strathclyde. Today it is slowly becoming semi commercialized. Many beautiful old buildings have been demolished while many more are in need of dire restoration. A few have been restored lovingly by their owners. It is said that the only people of colour were allowed in were the maids, gardeners and cooks and they dare not be seen around there after hours. It is still an area where old families of the merchant class still live. It is slowly becoming desegregated, some locals of African and Indian descent have bought many buildings and have converted them into professional offices. Barbados today is still a segregated society to some extent. Many of these barriers are slowly coming down and I do hope that all sides realize that we are more alike than we realize and there is no need to reverse or revert to the racism that existed in their parents' and grandparents' era.