Congrats Barbados! Now Truly Independent

Richard S. Dunn - November 30, 2021

Today marks another significant day in the social history of the Caribbean in general and Barbados in particular. Today November 30, 2021 Barbados has driven the final nail in the coffin of colonialism; Barbados is now an independent Parliamentary Republic. After 55 years of ‘flag’ independence the people of Barbados and their enlightened leadership have given true meaning to the theory and practice of cultural grounding and self-determination.

 While other so-called leaders have voluntarily kowtowed and prostituted their country to outside powers, Barbados have showed principle and vision in pursuing this path. Barbados did not participate in the insult and disrespect given to the region by the Trump Administration, when they attempted to undermine and disrupt CARICOM. The Trump Administration invited a select group of puppets and lackeys to a meeting in Washington, under the guise of discussing CARICOM. Barbados which was the head of the Secretariat at the time was not invited, which was not only an insult but out of Protocol. Barbados’ response was principled, clear, and exemplary.

 We cannot forget also Prime Minister Mia Motley’s brilliant and substantive presentation at the recent COP26 Conference. As a member of the ‘global south’ her presentation reflected an understanding of the socio-economic and environmental issues associated with climate change. The speech was not condescending or simplistic in how this environmental dilemma was created, who has responsibility and how the crisis should be addressed. That too was leadership, qualitative and enlightened leadership. We look forward to in-coming President Dame Sandra Mason continuing this stellar performance of vision and leadership.

 This historic decision of parliamentary republicanism by Barbados must also be seen within the context of the Pan-African Movement and the struggle for Reparations. Despite being dispersed especially in the Caribbean and Latin America we are an African people, unification and solidarity is an integral part of our development and survival. We all faced a common enemy then and we still face them now; we are still oppressed by imperialist greed, annexation, and intervention. The British Empire plundered, enslaved and devastated our countries and people. The genesis of the industrial revolution and its development and benefits that Britain enjoyed, was made from the slave labor of our ancestors; we cannot in good conscience and basic common sense, maintain ties with the colonialists.

 The very concept of the Commonwealth is irrelevant in the respective countries since they do not directly run the country or pass Laws and just have a titular Head of State. The concept serves only as a constant reminder the former colonial subjects and is a psychological tie to the colonizers, by pledging allegiance to the Monarchy. The psychological impact remained long after the lowering of the British flag. It has put our people in self-hatred and lack of confidence in our competency to lead and administer our own legal declarations; as shown in the ongoing debate over the Caribbean Court of Justice. There are some who strongly believe in the sanctity of the Privy Council. Barbados today have helped to break the back of white supremacy and relegate it to the scrap yard of history.

The 21st Century should never have come with this ignorance and colonial practice in place; it took us a long time to “remove the kinks from our brain” according to Marcus Garvey. In context however, better late than never. And now with this new dawning rays of ‘sunshine’ have covered over the island and laid the basis for endless developmental possibilities despite expected challenges. One of those challenges is the framing of a revised Constitution, one that reflects the aspirations of the Barbadian people, grounded, and molded in their history, culture, and traditional values. Again, Barbados is a part of the African diaspora; Caribbean people are an African people with their “own special truths;” the Constitution should reflect this.