Liz: Emerging stars need our help

BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY Senator Elizabeth Thompson has suggested that a development foundation be set up to assist other emerging stars like Rihanna, in whatever discipline they chose.She made the suggestion yesterday during debate in the Senate on Government’s gift of land at Apes Hill, St James, to the international pop artiste.Thompson told the Upper House: “We have to be looking to see what are the elements – the components – which we need to put in place to help other persons who have the ability to emerge and be discovered.“It is my view therefore that apart from giving Rihanna land that we should set up a development foundation of some sort with an endowment through which other young people who want to rise to prominence can go to have their skills honed, to be allowed to be developed and to grow in their discipline and incorporate greater training that would help them emerge into the international arena”She stated that there should not be a single Rihanna, adding: “We have to find a way to ask ourselves how do we grow the music industry from the example of Rihanna?”In terms of the land, Thompson stated that it represented  a token appreciation of the Government and people of Barbados. “Don’t care what she buys anywhere else in the world, this piece of land will be special to her,” Thompson said.And she called on Barbadians to stop the harsh criticism they have constantly unleashed on Rihanna.“I do not think we should as a  people object to the gift . . . Barbadians are a super critical people. It is extremely difficult to please them. Once you put yourself out there in any public forum, and you are Barbadian you have to be prepared to deal with the harshest, most unkind criticisms. We have a way of not embracing our own and not recognising when the moment has come, whatever our divide to stand behind them and support them.”Thompson showered praises on Rihanna, stating that she was a symbol of the best that Barbados had to offer.“She is beautiful. She is at the top of her game – a world star and international phenomenon.“Wherever Rihanna goes she acknowledges, recognises and pays tribute to her native country. So that whether she was styled or not, Rihanna is an ambassador because of the way she promotes Barbados consciously every time she performs and because of the recognition that her international stardom has brought to the country.”Thompson declared her support for the gift of land, stating: “There is no doubt in my mind she is repatriating all kinds of benefits to the country for which we could not necessarily pay in dollars and cents in a short time.” (MB)