Submitted by George C. Brathwaite
“Keep the faith.” This phrase is one of the final messages that I received from the Right Honourable Prime Minister David Thompson as he battled the invasive and debilitating effects of an illness, for which very rarely does it allow an extension of life beyond the very short term.
My fellow Barbadians and Caribbean people, as of 2.10 on the morning of 23 October, 2010, we came to a reality that was pre-empted by prayers and many supplications. It was about 9.30 in Newcastle upon Tyne when I received the dreaded news, but news that I had to verify nonetheless because of rumours previously advanced. The truth stared at me; I returned a forlorn and almost frozen gaze at my computer’s screen.
I knew there and then that, my generation of Barbadians had lost perhaps the most noticeable, affectionate, and dedicated person whose political sacrifices and passion for people would unfortunately not realise the ultimate dream: that is, to see a full revival of Barbadian society and to achieve sustained economic development.
Having to cope with the everyday viscidities of life, we knew that it is only through our Mediator that anything does make sense. Why would David Thompson spend the greater part of his life given to public service, displaying compassion for the poor and marginalised, and being a stern defender of those without voice or power?
Many of us grew up with and around David Thompson in terms of time period. David (referring to the Prime Minister as David, is in this sense a confirmation of the endearment between the man and his people; it is by no means a mark of disrespect), came to be perceived as a theatrical but resolute debater destined to ascend the pinnacle of political leadership in Barbados.
We all had that affinity with David’s clear – yet incisive verbal and gesticulatory fortitude in which the subtlety of his inflections served to be the mortal blows for his opponents. He was quite adept at using wit and creativity in making his contributions to House of Assembly Debates.
Fortunately for us, if we sometimes misunderstood or misrepresented his ambitions, we know that since assuming the Office of Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Honourable David Thompson was never consumed by his actual or residual power. Rather, Mr. Thompson used much of that power and his natural acumen to implement programmes anticipating the enhanced lives for Barbadians should success follow on from bold but reformatory promises and initiatives.
Since May and for many months, I hoped that I would get to see my friend once again, perhaps engage him in discussion and debate, especially since we both have an interest and passion for finding appropriate solutions relating to Barbados’ position in juxtaposition to CARICOM’s family of peoples and states.
Distance does not diminish the impact of love and caring for fellow human beings. Through technology, I was able to send and receive messages that convey the sense of hope and inspiration which would ultimately challenge all of us to keep the faith.
In one particular response to my enquiry about his healing and recovery, Prime Minister Thompson addressed both my long-time friend Errol Crawford and me. Prime Minister Thompson replied:
“George and Errol: my friends, remember always, Philippians 4:6-7 ‘do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ I am battling. And I thank God for friends who care and I count you both among them. Thank you.”
The days ahead will be especially tough and sorrowful for Mara; David’s three daughters; and his parents and siblings. I know that his relatives; the families and friends of my parish of birth and Prime Minister Thompson’s constituency, St. John; the Democratic Labour Party family and, by extension, the Barbados Labour Party family will all sorrow at this untimely loss.
In essence, Prime Minister Thompson’s reach was sufficiently far and emboldened by genuine love that his priorities of families and friends become geographically insignificant as we mourn his passing. There is absolutely no doubt that he had so much more to give in terms of leadership for a society struggling against the vagaries of cultural penetration, global imperialism, and a recessionary period that is unpredictable in its gravity to the foundations of our societal existence.
Today we grieve, but he has left us lessons to keep the faith – persevere with humility and strength knowing that God is our guide. We must celebrate all that David Thompson contributed socially and politically for the empowerment of peoples and the development of St. John. The DLP must be keen to herald him as one of their own, an accomplishment born out of the founding fathers of that institution and none more so than the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow Barbados and the region has something very special to call their own; it is the rise of David Howard John Thompson.
From Know-de-Most to David Howard John Thompson, I truly say: ars longa, vita brevis. Rest in the eternal peace of God Almighty my friend. I shall keep the faith, and I shall do and encourage others to do what you set your compass upon. Barbados and the Caribbean shall be second to none in quality of life and in the values we transcend through prioritising families.
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