Our Nation is Born

We must continue to nourish it “Our Nation is born”.

Those unforgettable words penned by the calypso titan, Vibrating Scakes, continue to echo in the hearts of all Vincentian patriots, especially during our celebrations of National Independence. Scakes is not just an icon in his field, his victory in the Independence Calypso competition provided us with a song which is widely regarded as our unofficial national anthem.

There have been other notable calypsoes, Becket’s “St Vincent I love you”, readily comes to mind, but given the importance of the occasion, it is safe to conclude that no other can surpass its impact. It virtually creates the independence mood and atmosphere.

That we were able to take up our place as a newly independent nation in October 1979 was itself a remarkable feat. Refugees from the ravages of La Soufriere (April 1979) had barely reached their ruined villages, opportunist politicians were desperately trying to hang on to the colonial coattails and postpone independence and we were catapulted into the political cauldron of elections barely six weeks after independence. It was an election in which relief supplies were brazenly used to solicit political support, for which the term “Bodow” elections was coined. (“BODOW” was the term used locally to describe volcano relief supplies, “bodow” the local coinage depicting the explosion of the volcano).

It was a miracle that a ravaged country like our own could survive as an independent nation in a turbulent world of the times, with wars, starvation and unrest plaguing hundreds of millions the world over. Indeed, it was like throwing a young child victim of rape out to face a hostile world. For rape could only be the most apt description for those tiny Caribbean nations venturing “on their own” in 1979. Those who in the glory days not only ruthlessly suppressed the aspirations of enslaved and colonized people, but were also willing to fight wars against fellow European plunderers to maintain the hold over “their colonies”, were now perfectly happy to allow them to go, virtually “on the streets” as one would say.

We now had to fend for ourselves. It is not just “Our faith” which saw us through as a line in our anthem promises. Our mettle was tested, and we complemented our undying faith with our resilience. That formula has allowed us to survive for nearly half a century.

Those whom the Bible described as “Ye of little faith”, copied the script of those house slaves as emancipation approached, begging the slave masters not to abandon us for “Wey we go do?”. We have answered emphatically by being resolute, courageous and giving practical expression to that abiding faith.We have not only survived, but progressed as well, turning every setback into an advance.

Remarkably, our leaders at the time could not draw on our demonstrated resilience to help to fortify the courage and fuel the ambitions of our younger generation. We chose, or rather “They” chose October as the month to achieve national independence. When that decision was made there were two dates of tremendous historical significance to our people.

One was October 21, the date in 1935 when oppressed Vincentians could take it no longer and rebelled, their contribution to the region-wide rebellions throughout the Caribbean of the 1930s. But, afraid of being identified with the “rabble who rioted” on that date, (the terminology of the upper class), October 21 was a NO! NO for them.

Ironically, the other date with historical relevance was October 15, the date of our first elections under Universal Adult Suffrage, a product of the same October rebellion of 1935. Not even that was suitable, so October 27 it was. Between National Independence and the holding of general elections there was to be just six weeks, enough for the impact of the “bodow” and the euphoria of the independence celebrations to make an impact. As was said in the movie on ‘The Ten Commandments’ – “So it was written, so it shall be done”.

The embarrassing emptiness of those who usurped the independence banner is shameful and painful. As was the grovelling of the Parliamentary Opposition to try and delay independence, even resorting to the courts.

Rather than identify with the tide demanding a democratic constitution with meaningful roles for the organisations of the people- the credit and trade unions, the youth and community groups as well as space for other civil, social and religious organizations, they chose opportunist power politics.

Despite all this and the predictions of the prophets of gloom, SVG is now enjoying 45 years of nationhood. It has not been all smooth sailing. Many more political and social battles are still to be fought to right the ship. But we must draw on our history and recognize that just as we recover from natural disasters, so too must we make use of our resilience not only for recovery but also to avoid political, social and economic disasters.

As we enjoy our Independence celebrations, spare some time for Reflections.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!