The fallacy of Arnhim Eustace’s blackness

Editor: According to sections of the press, Ms Maia Eustace, an offspring of Mr Arnhim Eustace, has pitched her political tent on the grounds of colour, calling for election of black leadership on December 9th. This comes on the heels of SEARCHLIGHT reporting that Mr Leacock says too many black people are following the ULP.{{more}} No imagination is needed to comprehend their plea for Mr Eustace to be elected, being black (in colour at least), and Ralph be rejected, being not black (in colour at least). Now this is the most retrograde, divisive and poisonous rhetoric offered in this campaign thus far. According to their thesis, the electorate should have “colour sight” and be blind to everything else. This is a most hurtful insult to the intelligence of SVG.

The election is not a colour competition. It’s about essence, not appearance. Ms Eustace and Mr Leacock are terribly ignorant and prejudiced, encouraging judgement of the book by its cover. Every primary school child knows this to be absurd. Ms Eustace herself says, “all I see is people of every colour in this country….” This says that we must of necessity celebrate in peace and love this rainbow that we are. So why serve up this potentially deadly colour/race stew? It is simple enough. Both waiters are aware that the issues of these elections are settled in favour of PM Gonsalves and his ULP. The insistence by the younger Eustace and Mr Leacock that reason be rejected and that these leaders be judged on skin colour rather than abilities underlines Mr Eustace’s unsuitability. This is their last ditch effort to place a complete irrelevancy at the centre of serious discourse, and in so doing reduced themselves and Mr Eustace to ridicule. Further, anyone interested in facts, as opposed to hoodwinking the people, would know that the only person that needs to answer the question of commitment to black people is Mr Eustace!!! I will not go so far and call him an ‘Uncle Tom,’ but the facts show that Mr Eustace’s credentials of being on the side of black people are not bone fide, and evidence makes clear.

In our quest to further our development by, inter alia, breaking our constitutional subjugation to a white British monarchy, Dr Gonsalves piloted constitutional reform which would have once and for all dispensed with an institution that made black people estate stock for hundreds of years! Mr Eustace all but moved heaven and earth to ensure we kept our “white masters.” This is fact! Further, the NDP had vowed not to cooperate with the Government on anything and so refused to even attend Parliament. But then there was the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne when her son came to SVG. The entire NDP parliamentary caucus, headed by Mr Eustace came to pay homage! In so doing, they cut a despicable picture, grinning like monkeys, overwhelmed to be in the presence of white “royalty”.

The NDP is linked to and shares the philosophy of the Republicans in the US. These are the people who supported “constructive engagement” with apartheid South Africa, where Mandela languished in prison and 25 million black people were completely disenfranchised. Additionally, Mr Eustace is seriously anti-Castro and anti-Cuba, the leader and people who paid with thousands of lives to help liberate the peoples of Southern Africa. And, he was concerned only with the US’s wishes as regards the Haiti Lartotue affair, rather than the fate of black Haitians. It is of note that he has not said a sensible word in defense of the people of Haitian descent as regards the pain they are presently facing in the Dominican Republic.

Today, reparations for black African slavery is a mission for black people, but Mr Eustace has “no time with that.” This matter of historical justice is of no concern. He has accused Dr Gonsalves of using the issue to draw attention away from his poor management of SVG. How ridiculous!! It took a confused Wellington Ramos to make him realize the merits of the issue, but only in the context of native genocide. The moment this confused man stopped being an election trump card, Mr Eustace dropped the issue without a backward glance. Needless to say, reparations and the other matters raised above are all central to the agenda of Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves.

Mr Eustace’s relation to history shows his emptiness as regards blackness. A former servant testifies that she had to drink from a cup tied to an outside pipe when working for them, as she was not good enough to use their utensils. This is treatment that not even house slaves were subjected to. Mr Eustace is renowned for shouting at black people who dare question him “You are out of your place!” This is classic white supremacy mentality! And, except for his benefactor, Sir James Mitchell, all the people he ostracized and punished have been black.

So, this label of black awareness is hoisted on Mr Eustace, hoping that it would make him politically relevant. I hope this nonsense will cease once and for all on December 9. There are those who talk about his Nippy/black power days. Today he is a man happier to attend a party for white British royals than a national day honouring His Right Excellency, Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer. He epitomizes a colonial mind which shouts with great pride “Yes, Massa!” We must always remember a man is judged by his deeds! Actions speak louder than words! So, young Ms Eustace and Mr Leacock are well advised to deal with facts and put up their nonsensical colour discourse!

Black Man