THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, PAGE 15
A brighter Bahamas beckons us...
‘In our present state we are not truly independent’ By REV CANON S SEBASTIAN CAMPBELL WE need a conversation on becoming “The Republic of the Bahamas”. In our present state we are not truly independent. We are attached too closely, to the ‘coat-tail’ of our colonial overlords. The colonial master is still represented with overarching powers/ influence in the person of the Governor General. It wasn’t until Sir Lynden O Pindling was “dethroned” that he publicly advanced his personal ideas on a republic, saying, “the time has indeed come”. This conversation is well in place in many Caribbean countries. The colonial enslaved mindset of our older generation is reaping havoc on our younger generation. The older generation is making it believed that this colonial enslavement, from which we are not free, is intended by God for all times. It’s mind boggling that you are actually attacked when advancing ideas to take us out of this colonial bondage. Leading theologian Rev Fr Kortwright Davis appropriatley advances, “Emancipation still comin”. What does independence mean to someone content to swearing allegiance to her majesty the queen? The swearing of allegiance is mostly done when our government leaders are sworn into office. This is totally mockery, shouldn’t they be swearing allegiance to the Bahamian people.
SIR Lynden O Pindling, left, led The Bahamas into independence - but if we still have a Governor General and are subjects to the Queen, did he go far enough? and rather beat around it by saying his vision was ‘full internal self-government’. Courage soon replaced fear and in the early seventies the unpopular stand was taken, “Independence no later than 1973”. I heard ridiculous arguments, as a young teenager in the seventies, by the opposing forces such as: • Independence, yes, but not now. (they never said when. At this time Barbados and Jamaica were well into independence.) • The Bahamas is not ready for so great a feat. • Cuba will reach out
“THE COLONIAL ENSLAVED MINDSET OF OUR OLDER GENERATION IS REAPING HAVOC ON OUR YOUNGER GENERATION. THE OLDER GENERATION IS MAKING IT BELIEVED THAT THIS COLONIAL ENSLAVEMENT, FROM WHICH WE ARE NOT FREE, IS INTENDED BY GOD FOR ALL TIMES. IT’S MIND BOGGLING THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY ATTACKED WHEN ADVANCING IDEAS TO TAKE US OUT OF THIS COLONIAL BONDAGE.” - Rev Sebastian Campbell Forty-six years into independence, we should not be equating allegiance to a British monarch the same as swearing allegiance to our own people. To think so is only demonstrative of a crippling mindset, any wonder at the swearing-in of the Governor General the Queen sends a message to her “loyal subjects” in The Bahamas and absolutely no one picks up on it or is enraged by it. This endorses the fact that we are not truly independent. We have far to go in our liberation. I am convinced that the “Pindling-era” did not go far enough when leading us into independence. Shouldn’t they have gone “whole hog” and addressed all these enslaving vestiges of our colonial masters that still entrap us? Couldn’t they have seen that independence without republican status is really a mockery of independence. Maybe not, we would have to mark their report card in accordance with the mindset of their day in the sixties and seventies. Just to mention the term independence at that time was a daring act. Many today who give leadership in our national celebrations did not want independence. Randol Fawkes, in his book “Faith that Moved the Mountain” writes that when he first took a stab at the idea, ZNS, broadcasted his speech around three o’clock in the morning. Even Pindling was afraid at first to mention the word independence
its long hands and put little Bahamas into its big pockets. • Don’t get rid of the white man, for we know where our bread is buttered. • Blacks are not ready to lead. • The Bahamas has no army to defend itself against an attack. • It will mean hard work we are not familiar with. How can we forget the separatist movement in Abaco, with the Honorable Errington Watkins prominent in it. Abaco, it was alleging, wanted to exit membership in the Bahamas if indeed Independence was ever realised. The negative bell continued to ring out. No doubt, and in my estimation, it was all petty politics on the one part and racism on the next. With such a blazing important issue as independence, government and opposition could not find common ground for unity. In fact, the opposition walked out on the parliamentary debate. Pindling then threw a curve ball when he said, “you can’t find Jerry Roker, nor the opposition in town”. The early general elections in September 1972 was a referendum on independence. The Lord himself spoke, if we are convinced “the voice of the people is the voice of God”. With a landslide victory it was clear that God had spoken. What we started in 1973 was just that, a start. Independence is not an event in time but an ongoing
challenge to be met. Our problem is that we are static, thinking that independence is a done deal. Pindling and his era were building on foundations already in place and we in this and every generation must continue to build. I am shocked that we get “no fire” from the younger generation of politicians we send to both the House of assembly and the Senate. They are almost impotent. The most they seem to do is to support their political lords. Unless we can emancipate our minds and step out of our mental enslavement we will not take this country to ever evolving heights that beckon us to come on up to higher grounds. I see a challenge for our own national dress. It’s ridiculous dressing like white English men in a cold climate in the bridling ninety degrees heat. Yet we see leaders in coat and tie in the extreme heat at outdoor functions. Caribbean countries have evolved far beyond us in this regards. This is indicative of our enslaved mindset. There is not even a conversation on this. Our Parliamentary representatives should invade Parliament in local Bahamian gear, not the Englishman’s. Political deliverance is a must; but when? For example; why must a Governor General (I pray we soon do away with this for a President in a Republic) have political baggage? Every Governor General to date has been politically connected at the highest level. Ours is a country that panders to politicians and all others are treated as or almost as door mats. Can a Governor General rise up from the ranks of an educator, business person, a farmer, fishermen or a clergy person? To be somebody in this country, you still must be politically connected. All top awards go to politicians, even before they serve. How can we award a politician with “honorable” for life after being in the cabinet for ten years? What about more deserving people in other fields? Its intrinistic, we believe foreign is better; we need deliverance. we fail to free ourselves of colonial awards even as we try to implement our own national awards. The national awards is to be seen as the highest awards in the country, but this is challenged until we abandon the colonial awards. Why is it so hard to let go? A colonial award is a badge of enslavement from which we must be freed. This older generation will not relent, the colonial masters have us too brainwashed. A younger generation with a radical spirit must
continue the radical spirit of the Pindling era. The dynamism has stopped and we are not marching on. Now as we move forward we must work towards having a truly one Bahamas. We are far from this ideal. Family Islanders are still inferior in our treatment as opposed to New Providence. Just listen to the plans for independence, advertised on radio and tv, great plans, but how unfortunate we have confused nationality, with New Providence only. They have nothing in
the broadcast for the family islands, how tragic! March On Bahamaland, is really ‘March on New Providence’. We need a whole article to address these inadequacies and most unfair treatment of our people in our family islands. A brighter Bahamas beckons us, but we must travel together. Retired Archbishop Drexel Gomez once said, “We have more than one Bahamas.” The inequitable distribution of wealth darkens our outlook of reality. The fact
that we are oblivious to a system that allows the rich to get richer as the poor simultaneously gets poorer is in evidence all around us. The average Bahamian doesn’t own one square inch of land, too many live in squalor. Indeed poverty is ripe thought out our country. The mindset of wanting to work for people and more especially the quest to get a government job shows the need for a mental overhaul if we are to march on as one people united in love and service.
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dance to the beat
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THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force and The Royal Bahamas Defence Force hosted their annual Beat Retreat Sunday in Rawson Sqaure as a part of celebrations for the Bahamas’ 46th Independence Anniversary. Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff
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Tuesday, July 9, 2019, PAGE 17
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Symbols of a new era On Wednesday, April 12, 1972, at a national conference on Independence, Hervis L Bain Jr, education officer for Arts and Crafts, gave a talk on The Bahamas’ national symbols and the importance of national pride. The conference was held in the Baillou Hill High School Auditorium. Attending were members of the Cabinet, House and Senate as well as a cross-section of the community. The following was his speech:
“
Surely this morning I can see assembled here the symbolic mothers and fathers of the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas awaiting the birth of their child with stout spirit and determined hearts on the beach of history. I am sure that there are many who share the excitement that these labour pains have come at this time and in this generation but it is true also, there might be others who have not heard or who have refused to hear the rolling tide. And so may these walls resound this morning with the stirring message: you stand on the beach of history but you will not hold back the tide. Mr Chairman, fellow countrymen, I am to address you on the topic, National Symbols and National Pride to which paragraph 105 of the Government’s green paper refers. Recently, in an address before another body, I made the following remark on the National Culture of the Bahamas. “It is clear that the national culture has never been that of the people, not for that matter, is it so today. It is still, expressed or tacit, European, predominantly that of the coloniser or colonisers, but today, it is served, hopefuly to be
THE NATIONAL FLAG
BLUE MARLIN - national fish. more palatable, laced heavily with the exotic spices of Bahmian legends, Bahamian folklore and festivals. Significant changes in the Bahamian National Culture are immediately imminent and ought to be, if national sovereignty is to be a thrust of meaning and relevant for the Bahamian people.” The historic-cultural experiences of slavery or involuntary servitude topped by colonialism have been a systematic dehumanisation and acculturation process for the mass of the subjected Bahamian people. One must understand the nature of Colonial powers on slavery and colonialism. The colonial nations are rooted in the ideological assumptions of the superiority of western cultural values, and the moral duty of the European colonies to carry out a ‘civilising mission’.” LEGITIMACY The point I am making, Mr Chairman, is that the slavery (involuntary servitude) and colonialism have left the Bahamian people with the social and cultural infliction - infliction which are psychological or intangible and infliction which are physical or tangible. It follows therefore that Independence, cultural independence, cannot be
the mere replacement of the symbols of the colonial powers by symbols selected by the new nation state. Cultural independence must therefore transcend the physical dimensions and enter into the realms of essence and therefore provide the nexus for cultural consciousness and relevant cultural choices for the legitimacy and the national integration of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Here lies the What is and What is to be of National Symbol and National Pride. SYMBOLISM AND SYMBOLS Symbolism was born out of the conscious affinity between man and his universe. A symbol, therefore, represents a high order of expression which penetrates the external thereunto the intrinsic. National symbols are therefore persons, word and object which are employed by the nationstate to evoke and direct psychological energy; in other words national symbols instil and evoke pride, rapture, loyalty and patriotism for the state. Operational national symbols support the social order through rites and rituals that will impress and mould the young.
The use of symbols is probably as old as civilisation and no doubt many of you are familiar with symbols of the Cross or the Symbol of the Union Jack. NATIONAL SYMBOLS Let us examine briefly the national symbols which are presently in use in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. First I should like to point out that the design and preparation of the national symbols are governed by the conventions of heraldic design and considering that national symbols possess property status to all intents and purpose, and are therefore granted by Her Majesty the Queen through the Royal College of Arms, the body assigned by Her Majesty for the purpose. At present, the outstanding national symbols are: The National Anthem, The Public Seal, The National Flag, The National Coat of Arms. Patriotism, religious sentiments, love of one’s native land are all the sources of motivation and the constituents of a national anthem. Nevertheless as a colony, the Bahamas has adopted the British National Anthem - God Save The Queen: with the coming of Independence the Commonwealth of the Bahamas will adopt a national anthem of its own. To this end, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a competition for the lyrics and music of the National Anthem. The Seal - the official insignia or stamp which is used on all important national documents like all national symbols should reflect the new people of the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas and arrangements are in hand for the preparation thereof. Ministerial, Consular and other official seals might be similarly affected. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas does not have a distinctive flag of its own; the official national flag of this land is the British National - the Union Jack - the flag with the familiar red, white and blue colours. However the blue and red ensigns with the flag badge of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas emblazoned thereon. The Blue Ensign can be seen flying from poles as one enters this building. The Red Ensign is reversed for use on the sea. The topic of the national flag for the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas has become the subject of a nation-wide competition launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs on behalf of the government. As a result, it is hoped that some Bahamians would combine the powerful symbolism of colour and the skill of heraldic designing to a flag design that can reflect the dignity worth and national consciousness of all the Bahamian people, and thereupon independence, the Commonwealth would have its own national flag,
THE FLAMINGO - national bird. one full with meaning and pride and one that can rally Bahamian people from Grand Bahama down to Inagua, from the Berry Islands across to Mayaguana. ETIQUETTE There is a standard design for the Governor General’s flag - a dark blue flag with the Royal Crest of the Lion and Crown in full colour in the centre and the name of the country underneath. I should point out also that the Prime Minister and other ministers may use the national flag or pendants either with or without the Coat of Arms emblazoned thereon. It is indeed with honour that I present this national symbol, to this convention for it is a distinguished
concept of the Bahamian people, conceived for the Bahamian people by a native son of the Bahamian people and approved by the Queen “for the greater honour and distinction of the Bahamian people and of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands.” I pray that the Bahamian people would continue to reflect the character of the two supporters in this new Coat of Arms. It can be observed that the flamingo, the national bird, stands tall, stately, elegant and resplendent in the beauty of its colour; the marlin, the national fish, is the aristocrat of Atlantic game fish; the blue marlin likes plenty of room in which to throw its bulk about; it is not easily hooked and landed; the marlin is a fighter, and a fighter with style. On closer examination, therefore, it can be seen that this national symbol is a composite of things Bahamian and things which all Bahamians, wherever be it in the fair Bahamas, can identify. This is the true nature of national identity and national pride. And now to a more delicate matter. Some nations have carefully laid down a code of etiquette which
YELLOW ELDER - national flower.
gives precise instructions as to how the national symbol can be used under all conditions. A case in point is the United States of America. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas must outline a code of etiquette governing the use of national symbols and it should then be the implicit and explicit function of every national institution to propagate understanding and respect for the Nation’s symbols. It seems imperative therefore that the new Bahamas, the Independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas, must examine the structural elements of all national social institutions and practice and reform and transform where necessary. This does not exclude the national education system of the new nation state. Schools in the Independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas should become living, national, simple, spawning national and cultural consciousness, national pride, and a spirit of togetherness. It should spawn unceasingly, sincere loyalty to the nation state, Democracy, national identity and in essence, would the behaviour of the young and the immature into relevant social and cultural form. In conclusion, I wish to refer to some recent developments in international relationships which no doubt will open new avenues in the world on international diplomacy. Not long ago, you will remember that the United States sent a ping-pong team to Red China, shortly thereafter, the President of the United States made an official visit. More recently, Cuba hosted a volleyball team from the United States. Just two days ago, the announcement came that the United States and Russia had signed a cultural agreement which would allow for academic and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Can it be, Mr Chairman, that the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas might never see a wholesale attack on her shores by an enemy employing marine and military hardware? Can it not be, Mr Chairman, that the security of the Bahamian people rests in the development of an indigenous culture, in the ability to recognise cultural offensives and to communicate eloquently through the sophisticated language of cultural expressions and symbolism? Indeed this is the challenge of the new Bahamian in the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Fellow country, we have reached “The Jordan” and here it is “Mount Pisgah” and take a look and those who are prepared must make ready for that glorious crossing to possess the promised land. And so, in whatever category you placed yourself, leave with you the scripture command, “Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.
THE TRIBUNE
Showing
our colours
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, PAGE 19
T
he House of Assembly looking resplendent in its Independence colours - complete with a giant version of the Bahamas Coat of Arms.
PHOTOS: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
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‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’
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We must unite THE FLAGRAISING ceremony in Grand Bahama on Friday. PHOTO: Andrew Miller/BIS
ACTING Prime Minister Peter Turnquest asked Bahamians to put aside those things that divide us during a flag raising ceremony on Friday at the Harold DeGregory Complex in Freeport. Ceremonies were simultaneously held in West Grand Bahama, East Grand Bahama and Sweeting’s Cay with flags hoisted at 10am. Also in attendance were Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Kwasi Thompson; president of the Grand Bahama Christian Council Rev Dr Robert Lockhart, Henry St George of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and other senior officials. Mr Turnquest said: “If only for this week, we want to put aside those things that divide us. Our flag represents us as a people and our aspirations. The unity, the togetherness, the strength, the resources and the resourcefulness of us as a people, and we must cherish, we must promote and we must pass on those traditions that are so unique to us.” Describing himself as a patriotic, proud Bahamian, Mr Turnquest said he is proud to be Acting Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, and most proud to be a Bahamian. He noted the great sacrifice given when offering oneself for frontline politics. “I can tell you, they are significant. And a lot of times, you leave in the evening wondering just what it is that I have volunteered for. Sacrificing time, family and personal progress, even subjecting yourself to sometimes unfair criticisms… things you cannot change, the colour of your skin, where you’re from, how you speak. “It is very unfortunate, because it is my belief that in so doing, we as a people we are holding back progress and [the benefit of] the very best talents and skills that are available to us, to push us forward and to achieve all that this country can be and all that our people deserve.” He said it is his hope and prayer that the country and people can “grow beyond where we are. Grow beyond and let go of some of the hurt, some of the disappointments that we have experienced as a people, that are holding us back.” He said 46 years of success and growth is being celebrated, and while there is still much to be done, “there is no doubt that there is much dissatisfaction throughout the nation, and most particularly here in Grand Bahama, of where we are today and the fact that we could be so much further. I believe, however, that we have so much more to celebrate than we have to lament”. Recognising the presence of young people in the audience, the Deputy Prime Minister said the ceremony and celebrations are just as much about the young people as it is about the leaders and adults. He said, “It is just as much about them, and passing on those values that we hold so dear, as it is about us today.” Other events included a church service on Sunday at Life Community Church in Caravel Beach and a gathering at Independence Park on Monday – including Governor General CA Smith; Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
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We can only advance with common purpose
THE BAHAMIAN Flag is raised by Police Constable 3255 Wells to culminate Flag Day in West End on Friday. PHOTOS: ANDREW Coakley/BIS
THE president of the Senate, Katherine Forbes-Smith called on people to unite with a common purpose during National Pride Day in West End on Friday. “Whatever the true meaning of national progress may be, or by whatever measuring stick used, one thing is certain, we can only advance as a nation when people are unified with one common purpose,” she said. Senator Smith, pictured, said Bahamians will not accomplish as much as they would like, nor advance as much as they would like, until all Bahamians come together and decide that what they desire for The Bahamas is the very best. She noted that as individuals Bahamians all have their respective political and religious preferences and may differ on what each person’s civil rights should be, but added that one thing for sure is that as Bahamians, each will feel the effects of the success or failure of the country. Continuing her call for unity, she said: “After winning the United States elections and becoming America’s first black President, Barack Obama said ‘to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help and I will be your president too’. “In essence, he was admonishing the American people that once the elections were over, it was time to move away from the everyday politics and instead lend a hand in moving America forward. I echo those sentiments for our beloved Bahamaland. “I am home in West End, the capital of
Grand Bahama, and I say we need that same civility to grow this community. We owe it to the children of this community. As I said at Mt Olivet Baptist Church on Sunday past, as leaders our goal should be to leave this community better than we met it.” Making reference to the ceremony many years ago in Nassau during which time the country was honouring Oscar winner Sir Sydney Poitier and naming the Paradise Island bridge in his honour, Senator Smith noted some remarks that were made by the Oscar award-winning actor. During that event, Sir Sydney called on the young people to take The Bahamas to levels unimagined by their ancestors. He told school children gathered at the event that they were golden gifts and the future of The Bahamas. “Sir Sydney went on to tell the students ‘you will design the country’s future. You, and the education that you will provide to the culture, to the history, to the ongoing strength of the country of your birth, will also be remembered’. “As July 10th approaches and we raise our Flag on this National Flag Day, let us stand together in unity, faith and hope. And remember the differences we have as a people helped us to get to where we are today. “Those differences did not stop our forefathers from coming together in the interest of The Bahamas and a people 46 years later. As we raise our Bahamian Flag today, we do so with pride, excitement and hope in our country, which we call home – The Bahamas.”
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