‘Use education as a tool of self-realization’, advises Bowman

The 37 local graduates of the four campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI) who were officially recognized in a ceremony last week have been advised to acknowledge the contradictions that colonialism has brought to the table, while rising above them.

Andrea Bowman, a retired headmistress of the Girls’ High School, in the feature address titled: “Acknowledging contradiction, and subverting the narrative of the superstructure,” also guided the graduates to work on realization and development of self.

Bowman, who herself is a graduate of the UWI, with a bachelor’s degree in English and History with honours, gave some attention in her speech to education, saying that while it is known that “The utilitarian aspects of the benefits of education are obvious and rare,” she wonders, “what is education doing to the heart inside of us.”

“Remember, this education travels on a language which could and does easily negate us,” she stated. Education should instead be used as a tool of self-realization, she says, citing herself as an example of this.

“I regard myself as a realization of this belief and therein lies my recognition that as a black, West Indian, Caribbean woman, an acknowledgement of the contradictions of which I am composed, is germane to my ability to look in and look out, and to be able to say, ‘This is who I am, I know me’.”

“Yes, our colonial moorings are often contradictory. Yes, these moorings are fraught with mixed messages, which often mock the heart inside of us,” she observed, noting examples. However, she advised, “I pick my battles with our heritage, and choose practicality, creativity and comfort, as opposed to an adherence to unquestioned norms and patterns.”

Turning to the graduates, she urged, “Let us allow what we regard as our contradictions to teach us how to love ourselves fully for our benefit.”

The ceremony was held at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown and head of site for UWI Open Campus Deborah Dalrymple stated that the ceremony marks the successful end to a period often fraught with challenges.

“It is a family struggle, but for many today, it is a family celebration,” Dalrymple stated, as she kicked off the graduation celebrations with her welcoming remarks. “I urge you not to settle into inertia, but to think ahead as to where you can make your contribution to the development of this country,” she advised.

Hannah Hamilton was the chosen valedictorian, having acquired a bachelor’s degree in Educational Leadership and management with first class honours.

In her speech, she paid tribute to her fellow Open Campus students on their special day.

“As Open Campus students, we overcame the task of completing our daily jobs, taking care of our loved ones, and having the discipline to diligently complete our assignments. We got up and decided to pursue more out of life, by furthering our studies, and we kept moving. This brought us here today, so let us keep moving on our tracks,” she encouraged.

To rare spontaneous applause, she thanked the families for the important role they played in the success: “Our voices echoing through the house at nights became their bedtime stories, listening to our complaints about assignments’ deadlines, our stress as a result of lack of sleep, and endless laughter and shouts when we receive our grades. For that we are grateful.”

In advising her fellow students, she urged them to keep God first always and remember that everything takes time. She also asked, “Let us journey into society, find current open campus students, pursuing studies in whichever discipline we would have studied, and pass on the knowledge we have gained while going through our studies to ensure the successful development and empowerment of others.”

The tone of triumph continued in the remarks given by the head of site at UWI Open campus in St Lucia, Dr Veronica Simon, who noted that there were an ‘impressive’ number of first class honours.

She stated, “Ours is a university created by people arising from mental depression of centuries of colonization and abuse, centuries of being taught that we are less than, not as good as, not worth much, incapable of, and every single negative that you can think of; yet, you can be assured today that your UWI certificate will take you places.”(KR)