History is an important lesson

The Chairperson of the regional Reparations Committee, Professor Verene Shepherd, has called on Caribbean people, students in particular, to pay serious attention to history, lest we repeat the mistakes of the past. Her call was made as she addressed a regional Conference of representatives of the Indigenous People of the Caribbean region, held in central Trinidad on Monday and Tuesday of this week. It was reassuring to see representatives of the indigenous peoples ranging from Belize and Mexico in Central America, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana in South America, and the Kalinago and Garifuna of Dominica and SVG meeting to discuss issues of vital importance to them, and the region, including the crucial one of Reparations. Especially important was the timing, for this upcoming Sunday, October, 12, is a “white” one in the history of our region.

It was on October 12, 1492, that Cristobal Colon, better known as Christopher Columbus, a sailor from Genoa in Italy commanding a tiny fleet and lost in his quest to find the fabled “treasures of the East”, Asia, stumbled upon the Caribbean, lost as he was. That fateful day was to change the entire history of the western hemisphere. Those of my readers who are old enough would remember a chant we had as children, in parody, which ran like this:

“In 1492, yo’ know wha’ Columbus do…?
“He cock up he …, inside de grass
And say nobody must pass”.

It was the humble beginning of what was to be one of the worst manifestations of genocide of a people. It is of interest that among the waves of European colonisers who came in the wake of Columbus, were Jews, themselves seeking escape from persecution in Europe.

Just reflect on Palestine and Gaza, their history and the fate of the native Palestinians at the hands of Jews escaping persecution in Europe. We would see why Professor Shepherd placed that emphasis on history, unfortunately now declining in importance among our younger ones and students.

The indigenous peoples of Dominica and SVG were represented at the Conference. In our case, the Washington-based Sister, Joan Hoyte, originally from Sandy Bay and representing the SVG Indigenous Peoples Organisation made remarks at the opening ceremony. It was reassuring to hear her paying tribute to the hard work of another Vincentian representative of indigenous peoples, Sister Nelcia Robinson, who has done tremendous work in helping to build the Caribbean Organisation of Indigenous Peoples and in raising awareness on issues related to them.

COLUMBUS LIE

The European colonisers who were to swamp the western hemisphere, had a deleterious effect on the history of the peoples of the hemisphere. Besides the genocide, rape and plunder there was the dishonesty, turning history on its head. Thus, we were told that theirs was a “civilising” mission, converting the heathen people to Christianity. It is impossible to reconcile the deeds of the last 500 plus years, the deaths of millions and millions, from Canada down to Chile, and the wholesale plunder, with civilising anyone. So instead of saying that October 12 was a “black” day in our history, I choose to call it, more accurately a “white” day. Those familiar with our calypso would recall the late Tobagonian bard, Shadow, and his classic “Columbus lie”. We must encourage our youth, even if it means making history a compulsory subject, to study our history.

THE CRIME OFF BARBADOS

Another important date of historical importance to the Caribbean also passed largely unnoticed this week.

Most Caribbean people are today familiar with what is known as 9/11 in New York, even though we may not know the details. The 9/11 refers to the bombing of four US warplanes bringing them crashing down on New York and causing not only huge destruction, but the lives of almost 3000 people. It was, for most Caribbean people, citizens of which region were among the victims, our first experience of what is called “international terrorism”. But this is why history is important, for right in the heart of the Caribbean, a quarter of a century before 9/11, the Caribbean had its own experience of international terrorism, and unfortunately, the victim of 2001, was a facilitator of the 1976 tragedy.

That occurred just off the west coast of Barbados when a Cubana Airways air plane, bound for Havana, was blown up in the air just after take-off killing all 73 persons aboard. The perpetrators, allegedly supported by the USA’s notorious Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), had boarded the airliner in Trinidad, planted the bomb and disembarked, catching another flight out of Barbados. It took years before they were apprehended and jailed, but they were given ample access to US soil. This crime was part of the criminal US campaign against Cuba which continues until today.

Yes, Professor Shepherd is right. We must know our history so that we understand that those shouting “Wolf! wolf!” in 2001 were themselves the wolves of 1976.