Are We Guilty of Having the "Crab Mentality"?

Have you ever observed crabs? Those sneaky looking crustaceans that are indigenous to both salty and fresh aquatic bodies. In addition to living in water, in Jamaica (and other tropical places) we have what is termed, Land Crabs

So, back to the original question, have you ever observed them, watched them closely? I know I have. I remember as a child growing up on the north coast of Jamaica, and having lived just walking distance from the now popular, Alterry Beach, my father would often times take me and my siblings to have fun in the water and when it was the season, to catch crabs.

On one of those trips to the beach I remember seeing a tiny one, very translucent looking, scurrying in the sand. I believe I was about 8 years old. Being the brave one of my siblings I decided to have a go at picking it up. Terrified for me, my brother and sister warned me and urged me not to do it. As I was a keen listener then, I recalled and repeated a crab hunting strategy I had heard my father mention: “as long as you pick them up by their backs, they will never be able to bite you” And that is what I did. As I was about to gloat about my valiant act, I felt a stinging pinch on one of my fingers, the hold became tighter, like that of a vise grip!

The shocking realization that the “hold by the back” strategy failed, was a traumatizing, and disappointing one.

Yes they are sneaky creatures as I mentioned earlier.

To this day my brother and sister have never let me live down that moment. I’m just happy that my squealing, hand flashing and stomping around were not caught on camera as there weren’t any smart phones around at that time.

Despite that mishap I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures, not to mention the scrumptious delight that came as a reward at the end of those hunting sessions.

Apart from their sneakiness, there is another characteristic of crabs that has unfortunately transferred over into the (black) culture. When crabs are caught, most times they are placed in a bucket, barrel or crocus bag. For the purposes of this article, I will be focusing on the bucket and barrel concept.

If you have never observed them, then I will tell you that in the scuffle to escape their impending fate, these creatures will use all their energy to drag down sister crab, brother crab and uncle crab back into that bucket. The clincher here is that as individuals, each crab can successfully make it out of the bucket without wasting energy on the others! Let that sink in for a moment.

Hence the expressions, “crabs in a barrel” “crabs in a bucket” or “crab” mentality.

I must say I am not proud of the association that this expression has with people of my race, but must admit that I have observed and experienced attitudes and treatments that are akin to this mentality. The unspoken ‘If I can't have it, then you should’ or ‘if you have it, there won’t be enough left for me’, or ‘if I help you then you might end up better off than me and I can’t let that happen’, have been situations that I’m sure many of you have been faced with. I certainly hope none of my readers is guilty of meting out this kind of poisoning, crippling attitude.

Recently, I was in search of an office space and inquired of someone who I thought would be a good source of information. The person mentioned that they were actually in the process of moving out of their current location to occupy their own space. I saw this as a golden opportunity: maybe I could make use of the space that was being moved out of. I asked what the owners planned to do with the current space and if I could be given the contact details. The response was that the building costs “x amount” per month as rent. I persisted and explained that I would still like to speak with the owners, but sadly I was not availed of the contact details. I know I can get that information otherwise, but that interaction reeked of the Crab Mentality!

As black people we have been compared to other races, the Chinese in particular that successfully build businesses together and ensure that their countrymen are employed and trained in how to run these businesses.

It then begs the questions, What is it with us? Why do we find it so difficult to build each other up? Why do we find it so easy to tear each other down?

Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section.

There is one line of thought that says that we are quick to blame the crab when the bucket is not its natural habitat. To this I say, regardless of who built the bucket, or who put them in the bucket, with a united effort it can be dismantled and its hold can be released.

In closing, please enjoy these positive quotes:

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble” - Serena Williams

“Success is best when it’s shared” - Howard Schultz

“I cheer for people. I was raised to believe there’s enough sun for everybody” - Tracee Ellis-Ross

With love,

TOVO Communications.

(Artwork by Ronnie Williams (2004))