Celebrating National Heroes
Today is National Heroes Day – April 28, 2021.
It represents the celebration of the contributions of ten outstanding Barbadians across centuries of this country’s existence. These contributions helped to shape the development of this island and paved the way for others to take the mantle and move the island forward.
It also comes in a week where workers are front and centre with May Day, in a few days.
From the Right Excellent General Bussa, to the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow and the only living National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, the list prior to 2021 has encouraged debate over the years, since the list was announced in the late 1990s.
While many might agree on the names, some have argued for an expansion of the list to include more names, but the question remains, why now? What is this urge to expand on the names included on this list of outstanding Barbadians? Why now in 2021?
Could it be that the island was told that it would be a Republic by Independence Day 2021? Could it be that because the island is recording its 55th anniversary of Independence this year, that it seemed like a good debate to have and would take the attention of the country away from the myriad of challenges that we face as various interest groups would be so enthusiastic about the prospect of their preferred nominee being considered, that they would forget to put pressure on the Administration on other critical issues?
Call me a cynic, but ‘wool over the eyes’ does not allow one to see very well. From the time, as a youth when I was prescribed glasses to read, I know the process of taking the glasses off, wiping them clean and re-focusing my eyes to see what is being presented to me.
I am all for expansion of National Heroes, but I question timing. This country has a serious debt problem, which is compounded by key economic sectors being shuttered. The questions of how that debt is managed remain unanswered as we continue to believe that tourism projects will continue to save this island’s accounts.
Despite the criticisms of alarmed economists five years ago about the fiscal prospects of the country, Barbados remains resilient. Back then, no one could fathom the liabilities of Government regarding the provision of certain services.
The last Administration, for instance, raised bus fares for adults from $1.50 to $2.00, to much hue and cry. This Government raised it to $3.50 and not as much as a whimper from these concerned economists. It is laughable. How can you take them seriously from now on?
You cannot have serious conversations on critical issues, if criticisms are not consistent. The public loses faith if arguments and passion are only thrown in one direction.
Any debate on expanding National Heroes cannot be forced into a short time for consideration. This debate should have started since last year, or be allowed to be considered for a minimum of three months, to allow for debate within communities and various groups.
The COVID-19 pandemic does not allow for people to focus on this issue and my fear is that only some groups will get traction. National Heroes belong to all Barbadians and not just to a precious few who have the means to engage publicly. People are concerned right now with ensuring that they survive the pandemic.
Even as cases fall, people are being bombarded with different messages. First, it is to get tested to know your status. What has not been addressed is the stigma which is associated with taking the test and how some people are being shunned after they recover.
What is not being addressed is the concern over the impacts of the vaccines. A high social media usage does not lend itself to dismissing concerns about the vaccine. This country has a highly vulnerable elderly population and high NCDs, so this is not a matter to ignore.
This is akin to the debate in the United States related to the possible expansion of the Supreme Court. Republicans stomped over precedent and grabbed 2 of the 3 seats available under now former President Donald Trump’s term in office.
The death of a Supreme Court Justice in early 2016, under President Barack Obama, set off a series of actions by Senate Republicans led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, which blocked the legitimate powers of the sitting President to nominate someone to fill the vacancy.
The argument was that a Presidential election would be coming in November 2016 and that the people would decide. Trump won that election and Republicans took that seat preserving their 5-4 advantage.
They added another a year later and then rammed though one more just before the November 2020 election. Therefore a precedent has been set, with the possibility of expanding the court even more.
What stops a potential future Government in this country from deciding to continue to expand the list of National Heroes for the 60th celebration. It can be a snowball effect.
The list, as it stood prior to April 2021, took a view that major parts of our history should be represented. The Right Excellent General Bussa represented the fight to combat the awful savagery of slavery and its impacts.
The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal led the fight against the entrenched racism and oppression within this country at the turn of the 20th century, as was the case with The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod.
The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill remains the only female on the list and this needs to change to represent the changes within the society. Women have been at the forefront of the development of this country in all spheres.
We have the first Female Head of Government and the second female Governor General currently in office, as a reminder of the power which women hold in this country.
The link between labour and politics is also represented on the list as is the international standard of our sporting prowess.
We also have not looked at the period from 1980 to present to extract any more National Heroes, and it bears investigation and discussion, but that takes time.
We have a lot to be thankful for. Happy National Heroes Day.