Barbados will not fall into the trap of not honouring its successful sons and daughters of the soil.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart made this declaration as he officially conferred the title and instruments of Cultural Ambassador on Robyn Rihanna Fenty and unveiled the renamed Rihanna Drive, formerly known as Westbury New Road, last night.
And dressed in a gold-coloured outfit, the lady of the moment said she was honoured by the events.
“I couldn’t be more honoured to have the street that I was raised on, the street that I grew up on, the street that my dreams were born on, this very street here, and I know that saying ‘believe in your dreams’, it sounds cliché but I guarantee you the only thing that got me here was believing my dreams,” Rihanna said to screams from the audience.
The event was attended by the who’s who of Barbados, including Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, Cave Hill Campus principal, Professor Eudine Barriteau, MP for the area Michael Carrington, Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley, other politicians and noted entertainers Gabby, Red Plastic Bag and Richard Stoute.
Also in attendance were Rihanna’s mother and father Monica Brathwaite and Ronald Fenty, as well as her uncle Leroy Brathwaite.
“I consider her achievements a tremendous feat and not an easy one for a young, black female from the Caribbean, who has prevailed in a hugely competitive environment,” the Prime Minister said.
In a presentation and ceremony that started an hour and 40 minutes late as heavy showers drenched the area producing rising flood waters, Stuart said the ceremony was Government’s way of dispelling the notion “that a prophet is not without honour save in his own country”.
“These words were spoken by Jesus in biblical times, but can be applied equally today any time we fail to recognise the talents and accomplishments of our own people,” the Prime Minister said.
“In independent, modern Barbados, we must not allow ourselves to fall into this trap. In particular, we must not forget our people located in the Diaspora, many of whom have registered outstanding achievements,” he stressed.
Stuart heaped praised on Rihanna, as he went through her numerous accomplishments not only in music but in the fields of fashion, beauty and film. He also revealed her philanthropic side that saw her being named as 2017 Harvard University Humanitarian Of The Year.
The Prime Minister described Rihanna as “the most successful and multifaceted entertainer in the history of Barbados” and called her a model for other young girls with dreams and for budding entertainers to follow.
“Her story is one to inspire other young people, in Barbados and beyond, to know that the world is their oyster and to understand that talent, by itself, is not enough without hard work, sacrifice, discipline, good organisation and the ability to network,” he said.
The richly deserved honour was being conferred on on a most outstanding young Barbadian woman, he added.
“For Barbadians, her most endearing trait is that she has resisted the blandishments of other dominant world cultures and has remained faithful to her Barbadian roots and culture, even as she is grateful for the warm hospitality of the country of her residence.”
Meanwhile, Westbury New Road resident Kathy Ife Harris said the area was “now a brand name area” with a positive reputation. The event, which included the unveiling of a signpost and a sign board, culminated with a street party after Prime Minister Stuart and Rihanna viewed the symbol that was embedded into the pavement outside Rihanna’s former home. (HLE)
