Dear Editor,
“An unjust law is itself a species of violence.” Mohandas K Ghandi. It is almost 700 years that our black ancestors were gutted from our ancestral lands. The course of History is very painful to teach and to study. The negro race has barely overcome that traumatic experience – which is manifested in the daily walk of those of African heritage. Neither have we stopped blaming our African ancestors back home (in Africa) for such despicable actions, trading in their own blood.
Were they aware of the disastrous circumstances surrounding their people? Were their leaders forced under pressure, ultimatums or perhaps they were told they were too scattered and were better organized in a body. Since we are their products…we are left with no answers but heartaches for over 700 years.
Today, we, the prodigies of the enslaved in the Eastern Caribbean are caught in that similar trap. Europe is again, deliberately trying to eradicate and deprive us of our cultural heritage.
Here, with our mouths agape and eyes wide open, we are drugged and dragged kicking and screaming in traps in which we are totally ignorant. This appears to be similar to the “triangular trade”. The sellers in Africa, kidnapped, drugged, and tricked by any means and got their cargo. What is the difference now? By any means in the 21st century, the colonial masters’ objectives are accomplishing in their colonies.
Remember, after emancipation, the West Indies were left swimming without life-vests in the turbulent Atlantic ocean and Caribbean sea. All the European businessmen and planters abdicated as the economic climate collapsed. Forgotten by the European nations, our ancestors’ survival modes set in consolidated by our natural creative instincts and built our nations.
Now they are returning in the same manner. Devastated by the greatest recorded hurricane, our aid is tied to conditions. Emergency operation is needed, but they refused to diagnose and operate unless detrimental contracts are signed.
There is no education process – everything is rushed to puzzle and scare the politicians. Just like in Africa, burn up the houses as they run to escape to safety, they were caught. There is no difference. Forced all the bills one time – they will be puzzled, confused, mentally fatigued and paralysed, so the leaders will have no objections.
Remember, it started in Europe. The blacks have progressed too far, so they must round them up – only to their advantage. Where is our leaders’ national pride? The last visionary leaders have all died or been strangled.
The Caribbean basin peoples had longed for “One Nation” evolving from their lions – not imported from Europe who dragged them here kicking and screaming from Africa. So, the Caribbean people have interacted and bonded themselves without the interjections of the Caribbean governments. Namely, the Custom bodies , Immigration, teachers, nurses, police, secretaries, fishermen, Church and voluntary organizations, Boys Brigade, Scouts, Carnivals , and festivals.
Every year there is an endaba on a different Caribbean island: there solid relationships, appreciation, love, tolerance and understanding are exercised. In that environment, a nation is created and built! Only the myopic leaders of the Caribbean refuse and fail to heed the clarion call Unite, Unite, Unite. You ask, why are they so reluctant? The Caribbean leaders are proud to be kings of sand castles.
In reality, the new breed lacks creativity and vision and is most insular. This was detected by the European powers – so they initiated their cancer packages to suck us and to destroy our national pride. What are these? Sanctions, bills, trade embargos, and acts that so grossly will rip us apart – enslaved and demonized us. These financial institutions were slave traders; the enslaved progenies have advanced beyond their expectations, so they must curtail them by any means.
The pages of history will recall that our 21st century Caribbean leaders have sold out and re-enslaved their own black brothers. Their constituents can read and write, and information is deliberately withheld, and we are led like sheep to a slaughter.
Lena A. Gumbs
Anguilla
