Controversy is rife in Barbados today as the racist tirade of a Caucasian man went viral on social media platforms late Thursday evening (February 4).

It is unclear what precipitated the rant, however, the man, identified as Clifford Corbin, was driving in the outskirts of Bridgetown, when he was recorded on camera hurling racist expletives.

“Tricks and lies and bull**** every week, wanna f****** n******. Everybody acting the same way, dishonest. This is some way to live in a country…Y’all don’t know how to act and don’t know how to behave. F*** people bring y’all from Africa to do, to act the way y’all acting,” Corbin argued.

The video quickly spread on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, reaching the far reaches of the Caribbean as Barbadians called for a boycott of Corbin-owned businesses and services.

In a move to distance themselves from the racist rhetoric, Corbin’s Garage Limited and Corbin’s Catering Services, both based in Bridgetown, quickly denounced Clifford after the video began trending.

“Corbin’s Garage would like to take this time to publicly denounce the statements made by Clifford who is not affiliated with any of our brands or businesses. At Corbin’s Garage, we do not tolerate racism or discrimination at any level and remain committed to serving its community in the best way possible and encourage and implore others to speak out and take action on such matters,” the automobile company remarked.

“Corbin’s Catering wishes to inform the public that Clifford Corbin is neither associated nor affiliated with the company. Corbin’s Catering wishes to disassociate the company from the comments made by Clifford Corbin in a recent video in circulation on social media. There is zero tolerance in Corbin’s Catering for any acts of discrimination, prejudice or racism in whatever form,” the 31-year-old caterers noted.

Among those outraged by the vitriol, Ambassador David Comissiong, a member of the National Task Force on Reparations, indicated that he would be bringing greater attention to the matter.

In an interview with Barbados Today, he said Corbin’s behaviour should serve as a “wake up call”.

“This video is a very serious wake up call for Barbados. It says to us that there is something very wrong with our social culture. It says to us that after 54 years of Independence and 70-odd years of predominantly Black governmental administrations, that we still have among us born and bred Barbadians who possess this racist contempt for and animosity towards Black Barbadians,” Comissiong pointed out.

“…Over the years we have made progress but this video is a sharp reminder that there is still much to be done in the area of race relations in Barbados.”