The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH they have been officially recognised as young Bahamian “ambassadors” by the Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Youth Choir and its director were reportedly kicked out of the Memories Resort by a foreign manager on Christmas Eve before completing their performance.

The incident went viral on social media, with some persons launching a petition and demanding an immediate investigation into the matter and the removal of the manager in question.

In a related matter, Minister of Labour Shane Gibson told reporters yesterday that the Department of Labour has received complaints of staff “abuse” at the Memories Resort. He said the department is investigating those claims.

Choir director Kevin Tomlinson said his 25-member youth choir was in the middle of a performance when the group was interrupted by the entertainment co-ordinator at the Memories Resort.

Mr Tomlinson and his choir went upstairs where they were approached by the general manager who reportedly told them to leave the hotel.

“We went to the hotel and while performing, the entertainment coordinator he came to me and said ‘please cut,’ so we stopped and I thought he wanted to say something,” Mr Tomlinson said. “Every one was trying to figure out what was going on.”

“The guests were having fun and enjoying the performance and so they followed us upstairs,” he added. “The general manager walked up to me and said, ‘Please, I don’t want any children (here), just leave my hotel.’ I said excuse me, and he said ‘Just leave my hotel.’”

Mr Tomlinson said that he was shocked that he and the choir were being treated in such a demeaning way.

“I told him that we were invited by a Bahamian manager there to perform at the hotel on Christmas Eve, and he said that the Bahamian manager is not the boss, that he is the boss and would fire him (on Christmas Day).”

The Tribune called the foreign manager in question, but was told he was not in office at the time.

Mr Tomlinson said every year the choir performs during Christmas and he felt their performance at Memories could be another good opportunity for the kids.

He said that it was very disappointing because “we did not finish the performance,” and the guests were really enjoying it.

Mr Tomlinson said after the incident, some of the hotel staff were upset and expressed disappointment over what had happened.

“It was not just about the GBYC not having a chance to perform, it is fact that people are disrespected in their country. There is no way in this day and time for anyone to talk to me that kind of way, it was literally disrespectful and the choir was there watching, so all of us were told to get out of his hotel. And he disrespected the worker by (allegedly) telling me he will fire him on Christmas Day for inviting kids to come sing at the hotel.”

Mr Tomlinson said that he has received many calls and lots of support from persons, including government officials, following the incident.

He said it is sad that “a small group of people who we have given permission to come and work in the country and benefit greatly from being here in our country can be so disrespectful to us.”

“I use every opportunity to teach lessons to my kids and this was surely a lesson for them. I tell them to know who you are. When you know who you are you never let anyone mistreat you – do not sell your dignity for a dollar, we have to know who we are as a people and not let any other culture come inside here and treat us as if we have no dignity,” he said.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville issued a statement concerning the alleged incident and said an investigation will be conducted.

He said: “The government of the Bahamas takes these allegations very seriously and is working assiduously to bring resolve to this most unfortunate situation.”

Dr Darville has called for the general public to allow the process to take its course without any disruption to the hotel operations.

Under the direction of Mr Tomlinson, the Grand Bahama Youth Choir was started in February 2009.

The group sang during the opening ceremony of the first Grand Bahama Local Government Conference. The group has also performed on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, CNN and on numerous television stations throughout the Caribbean.

The GBYC has also performed with six-time Grammy Award winner Pastor Marvin L Winans and the Marvin L Winans Academy in Detroit, Michigan and has performed for leading organisations in the United States.