A new shot at Decolonisation

The local political climate is rising as though trying to compete with the heat being generated by the effects of climate change. Even as the government struggles with the humongous tasks which hurricane Beryl has superimposed on the unfinished ones from previous natural disasters, all sorts AA other issues are being injected into the national debate. One would have thought that in this Month of National Independence, our focus would be on national unity to enable us to undertake to meet our immediate challenges. A natural disaster does not mean that political differences should disappear, but it is imperative that we do not lose sight of the critical issues before us. The safety, comfort and day-to-day existence of those most critically affected must always be borne in mind and at the centre of our actions. This is what being Vincentian means, and what better month to display this patriotism than the month of October, the month when we regained formal responsibility for administering our own affairs, external as well as internal?

While the parties go about their own internal affairs, it must not be forgotten that national interests must always be given priority. As the parties make their electoral preparations, amidst all the cut-and-thrust of local politics we should always try to lift the levels of debate, to ascend rather than descend into the abyss of gutter politics. True, the stakes are high, and the higher the stakes, the more desperate some players get. But in all this, we must not forget our country and its image. We must always, to quote calypsonian IPA, “put our country before our party”. The debate this month, for instance, can focus on matters of nationalism and to the extent that we have progressed along the lengthy road of decolonization. Just over two decades ago when the ULP assumed the reins of office, a new atmosphere of national pride swept the country. However, it is true to say that this has subsided over the years. Yet all around us there are signs that neighbouring states are beginning to nibble away at the colonial legacies. We began in grand style targetting areas such as National Dress, National Dish and other cultural areas, all laudable initiatives, but these seemed to have stalled as other matters took priority. There are many tasks of decolonization which do not require significant outlay of scarce financial resources. Indeed, there are ideal areas in which to AC committed patriots not politically attached to any one side. While the government continues to spearhead the efforts of keeping our country on even keel, these are ideal opportunities to get the people of the country more involved and thus committed to the decolonization process. All around the hemisphere there are governments taking steps, some small but nevertheless important, towards decolonization. They vary from Mexico, changing its emblem to reflect national realities; Barbados with the major step of Republican status; and Trinidad and

Tobago placing the steel pan in its national emblem. Why are we balking? National Independence is an opportune time to renew our commitment, to broaden our approach and take reinvigorated actions to remove the colonial stains which are still on us.