The family legacy

EDITOR: We were royalty and we knew it. European blood flowed in our veins and we were proud to be associated with our Scottish ancestry.

Being connected to the British monarchy made us feel special. This is perhaps why we are reluctant to sever our ties to the queen. Some try to make us feel guilty because our maternal great, great, grandfather owned slaves. While we cannot undo the past, we can find some way of making our current society better, while at the same time making every effort to preserve our history. The Union Island Museum Society will play a role here, together with the Span Gardenfield Park. If researchers from local and foreign schools can be attracted, the process of documentation will get a boost.

While we appreciate our European ancestry, our African origin is the more important one and this one makes us even more confident in ourselves and our ability to navigate our place in our society. The old people used to keep track of the tribe to which each family originated, and some undoubtedly from some African Chief, or king. This area too can benefit from research to document our connection with our family in West Africa.

My father was proud of the achievement of his children, but as he grew old, he progressively lost the ability to make the best choices even to benefit himself. His capacity to make wise investment waned and decisions made by his sons in the purchase of lands and in housing upgrades proved beneficial. He was a very generous man and felt incapacitated when in his retirement, he could no longer give away love baskets.

As the Queen ages, she has progressively been delegating more responsibility to her son, the king in waiting. The role of the Monarchy, though important, is largely symbolic.

In our own government, while our leader ages, he has given up much responsibility to other cabinet members. However, it appears that the public desires new, competent, and fresh leadership. Recent investment of government resources in tourism is questionable and the lack of priority to Health Care is concerning. While we appreciate the work of the Minister of Grenadines Affairs, because he had a reputation of getting things done, it is clear that a new Senator and Minister needs to replace him to allow him to retire and recover from his illness.

The Grenadines needs someone fit to handle its affairs.

Anthony Stewart, PhD