Today February 7th 2011 marks the 37th anniversary of our Political Independence – a vision of the late ex-Prime Minister Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, who ruled this country for 27 years and is now described and accepted as the Father of Our Independence.
As we reflect on the process that resulted in us becoming a sovereign state we think it right and proper to remind everyone especially the younger generation that many politicians, union leaders and religious leaders who are alive today objected strongly to the move and this resulted in many unwanted memories for the country including the first hoisting of our national flag without regular electrical supply from the then electrical company but under flashlight and candle.
A nationwide strike and shut down of the country was called by those shortsighted leaders and many workers and citizens complied too the unintelligent request which not only negatively impact on revenues but resulted in severe hardship for the poor and vulnerable who were in total darkness and without proper food supply for months. It’s an era that should never be repeated!
The fear of change had workers at the Port of Entry who were at the time mainly represented by the Seaman and Waterfront Workers Union headed by the late Eric Pierre playing an integral role in this shutdown. Today we wonder how they feel knowing that their names have gone down in the history books as opposition to our greatest political achievement – breaking off from our mother land and charting our own political path.
As the chaos unfolded back then it was too much for our only ever female Governor Dame Hilda Bynoe and she resigned as Head of State but the unshaken Sir Eric struck to his plan and moved forward with his ambitious desire taking our country from Associated Statehood to Political Independence. We were no longer dependent on the Motherland but started our journey as the sovereign nation – Grenada and our flag with its nutmeg and stars combined with the colors of red, green and yellow began waving on the United Nations Polls.
Today when we look at the Tillman Thomas National Democratic Congress Government we believe and know that there are some of those negative forces who were around then are still around today and we cannot help but wonder what contribution are they making as we strive “to build and advance as one people.”
Our Anthem and Pledge should not just be seen as words but a motto, slogan, guidance principles that will make us live in peace and harmony.
Our 37th Independence anniversary should mark a turning point in our history and we therefore call on Grenadians and the relevant authorities to recognize the contribution of those outstanding citizens living both inside and outside of the country. The time is right for us to honor our own people who made contributions to our nation. We may not have a Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King Jr but we have some who contributed to and continues to contribute locally, regionally and internationally and significant ways.
Happy Independence Grenada!!!
A Spiceislander.com editorial by Titus Neckles
Wake up Mr. Fleary. It seems like you are still leaving in the revolutionary days. All the revoutionaries ran away from an are now living in the USA, UK, none of them in Cuba or Africa the motherland.
If that is true independence under Maurace Bishop well. This was the most violent regime ever in our history people were murdered just for not supporting the revo. Presoners were beaten mercylesly daily. If this is what independence mean to you well cropo some your pipe.
I’d be interested to know how other Grenadians feel about this post. I wonder if others feel like the independence the Grenada, supposedly enjoys, is non existent.
This post is written like it is from a colonial subject giving thanks and praises to the system or “motherland” that oppresses them. Britain is not your motherland, Africans! How can independence “granted?” Any indepedence that is handed to you is not a real indepedence. It provides an illusion. Sir Eric Gairy was a stooge for the British empire, put in power to continue to carry out British interests. When most of the wealth was maintained by subjects of the crown and not by the people, this is why those “misguided” people staged a strike.
Today the economy of Grenada is largely supported by foreign tourist dollars. The items being sold in the stores are not of Grenada. Where are the Grenadian entities on the island? Is there an economy that can exist for the people if tourism were to end? No.
What images are on your dollars? What does Grenada export? What is the GDP of Grenda? How many of you are unemployed? if you are employed where do you work, in your own business or at the hotel catering to foreigners like modern day mamies and papies?
I want to pay respect to the real father of Indepedence Maurice Bishop who actually fought to make Grenada a self-sustaining island. Had he not been assassinated by the U.S. Grenada might truly be independent today.
I long for the day to see my home country truly indepedent and self-sufficient.
Hi there – great post…thanks for sharing.
Can I ask a silly question? I’m British, my Auntie and cousins are Grenadian…I have visited the island, Carriacou and Petit Martinique many times, but what are Grenada’s moto, slogan and guidance principles?
I’m too yong to appreciate the political situation, I think, but independence and freedom should be right for everyone…One choice.
Cheers.