Say it Loud:“Shafiqua, we proud”

Permit me to borrow the title of a very popular song among black people globally in the late sixties/early seventies, in what was called the “Black Power” era. It is by the legendary soul singer and performer, James Brown and began like this: “SAY IT LOUD…”

Before I go further though, could I ask you to imagine your response if your child was one of 4 billion or so in the entire world who earned the privilege to set an examination and when the results emerged, your precious came fourth? What would be your reaction?

Disappointment that your offspring did not end up among the top three? Or overwhelming elation that he/she had emerged ahead of some 3, 999, 999, 997 others in the entire world?

No, you would be filled with immense pride in the achievement at such an elite level. That should be our reaction to the superlative achievement of our own Shafiqua Maloney in the Olympics Women’s 800-meter finals on Monday of this week. Our Prime Minister has put the achievement in its historical perspective, getting us to realize what an enormous and historic feat it is and what it augurs for our future.

The context of Shafiqua’s feat further amplifies its immensity. Just when we are struggling to recover from yet another damaging natural disaster, she has not only lifted our spirits but also further underlined the quality of resilience inside us, often suppressed by the prevailing negativity in our society, the selfishness of a minority among us which could have led to a lack of support for a deserving cause.

So, BOO, BOO, on all those who had raised all kinds of excuses for the government not to support Shafiqua in her hour of need and so enable her participation in Paris. Our praises should go out to PM Gonsalves for once again demonstrating his faith in the young people of our country. It is a good thing that Shafiqua competed on Monday. Thank God, it wasn’t Friday!

While Shafiqua and the rest of us celebrate, we must keep our eyes on the road ahead. Much more can be accomplished if we take this as yet another rung up the ladder. There will be many whose “disappointment” lies more in the fact that there will be no holiday and “nice time” should she have succeeded further.

The journey and the Olympic successes of our sisters and brothers from the neighbouring countries should teach us a lot about our possibilities and how we can achieve our goals. We can only take full advantage of those opportunities if we work together and be prepared to make the sacrifices necessary. All sorts of political opportunists will try to ride the bandwagon trying to use populism and sloganeering to benefit themselves politically.

There is no disappointment in our collective achievement, so we can SAY IT LOUD – “SHAFIQUA, WE PROUD OF YOU”!

Venezuelan Elections and hypocrisy

My apologies to readers of my weekly column whom I had promised to draw on the 50-year experiences in journalism especially those of the FREEDOM and JUSTICE papers, 1974- 1989 which are fundamental to understanding the processes leading up to the popular demonstrations of 1998/2000. These brought an end to the NDP government of the day and elections called before the mandated time. Readers would understand that our collective Olympic experiences deserve immediate attention and that the situation in Venezuela is of such importance that it demands at least some mention.
In the case of Venezuela, the results of the Presidential elections of last week which are currently being disputed by the Opposition backed by the US government, what an one say?

Amazingly, a government in the USA itself, which up to now is facing charges of illegitimacy and fraud arising from the Presidential elections of 2020, which faced an attempted coup, and the loser of which elections, though now a convicted felon, is contesting the November elections. These are to be conducted under the same conditions labelled fraudulent four years ago, but the USA is not only crying foul over the Venezuelan elections but seems to be encouraging a coup.

What can you say when Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the day after the elections, speaks of election fraud in Venezuela? Blinken owes his position to what Donald Trump, presidential contender, continues to insist were fraudulent elections, so where does he get the moral authority to pronounce on the processes of other countries?

Those Latin American governments in bed with the USA have been quick to condemn the official results which gave a narrow win to President Nicholas Maduro. Some governments in CARICOM, including our own, have accepted the results and congratulated Maduro, but it seems that the new trend in right-wing circles is to refuse to accept results unless you have won.

Significantly three progressive governments in Latin America, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia have, according to reports by the Associated Press agency, been attempting to speak to both sides about avoiding conflict and possible bloodshed. The reports say that they have encouraged the Opposition to appear before a Supreme Court hearing on the issue. However, the reports say that the Opposition has refused, claiming that the Court is appointed by the government-controlled national Assembly. Can’t the USA government tell them how their judges are appointed? Gimme a break! Until next week.

Finally, belated birthday greetings to the old warrior, PM Gonsalves, and belated congratulations to Cuba on the occasion (July 26) of the 71st anniversary of the Moncada uprising which led to the triumph of the Revolution in 1959.

Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.