As wars and rumours of wars continue to beset the globe, terrorists aggressively expressing themselves hither thither and yon, amidst the fury, an idyllic little island 21 miles long and 14 miles wide – economic challenges notwithstanding – vies for the title of ‘one of the happiest places on earth.
It is the weekend and the main concern of the majority of inhabitants is to enjoy the annual Crop Over activities, pick a lime, collect a sea bath, prepare for attendance at Church, lounge on the patio to enjoy a cool northeasterly away from the beam of a hot sun. Oftentimes the island people take for granted our island paradise amidst the mainly political rancour that is more bark then bite.
Do we have problems to solve, hell yes. Should we continue to work together, Barbadians one and all, to overcome challenges that are omnipresent although called on to battle above our weight class sometimes? We must!
What can be deduced from world events is that there is no relationship between man’s intelligence and the ability to resolve and avoid conflict. It is easy to go with the flow, to align with what is popular, AND, forget Barbados must always be defined by Barbadians. If we relinquish our right to define Barbados then what is the point to be called Barbadian?
If we allow our national psyche to be diluted or absorbed by external forces and relinquish our assignment to be guardians of our heritage and firm craftsmen of our fate – how do we explain to our brave forefathers – when we meet in the spirit world – who sowed the seed?
Barbados has enjoyed an enviable reputation up to now because Barbadians in the immediate post Independence period translated a vision for Barbados, it was not dictated to. We fearlessly told the mighty (who ever wore the label) we wanted to be friends of all and satellites of none, and get this, we were respected for it. Although we have to adapt, we have to change, what we can never surrender is our assignment to guard our heritage, that which defines who we are as people and as a country.
The dismantling of Bajan symbols from the landscape, a political directorate bereft of the fierceness to serve the people, disregarding the indigenous culture that use to value personableness. BU remains optimistic we have not passed the point of having no doubts or fears. And that upward and onward we shall go, inspired, exulting, free. And greater will out nation grow in strength and unity.
One of the strands of our enviable reputation, has been our stable political management since Independence, this occurred under BOTH B and D. One reason, politicians and political parties accrued political capital from which to draw. Without political capital governments and politicians are unable to take unpopular decisions in the interest of the people. This is where we find ourselves.
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