Well, well, well. After all these years of wuh we callin’ the immigrant scheme, Government decide is time fuh a points system. Points, eh. Like Air Miles. Like Sky Mall. Like one of dem online scratch-and-win.
Mih grandson Carlton — twenty-six, university, two language, can fix any car put in front of him — he packing right now fuh Toronto. Why? Because he say the rent here costing like a small mortgage and the wages staying the same since he in long pants. So while we settin’ up a fancy new framework to bring people in, he heading out the front door.
Now mih neighbour Beverley, she sayin’ the bill smart because is finally the spouses of Bajan-born can get residency easy, and the retirees with savings can bring dem dependants. Beverley say is about time. Beverley right.
But Auntie Violet wonder one thing: when we sittin’ down working out the points, who deciding which point worth wuh? “Barbadian lineage” — how far back? Mih great-grandmother born in Barbados to a man who born in Barbados to a woman who born in Barbados — but the records may be in a register that flooded out in 1955. Carlton ain’t got that paperwork. The retiree from Toronto with one ancestor and a good lawyer will.
And another thing. The Minister say he buildin’ the system to keep Barbados competitive. Competitive against who? Because right now we losin’ the race against Toronto, Tampa, and a one-bedroom in Brixton.
Miss Violet sayin’: bring in who good. Send out who good — but at least ask why dem leavin’ first.
Miss Violet is a satirical voice column. Views expressed are dramatic exaggerations for comedic effect.