Moontown

DENIS KELLMAN’S  COLUMN – THE DEBATE

OCTOBER 26, 2005

There was a time in Barbados when deception and lies were not tolerated. Lately it seems that once you have the right medium, you are free to practice these exploits provided you tear down any person who is not interested in the New World Order. This order is being implemented by placing persons in key positions within  the media to lead the charge for change, and the spinoff is to pass future legislation that would legalise a way of life that is not now accepted.

The Right Excellent Errol Barrow was famous for speaking about prostitutes and I always thought that he was a bit harsh, but I have lived long enough to understand exactly what he meant. It is regrettable that he did not expound more on the particular topic. He has always warned his comrades where their friends could be found. It is clear to me that they have not accepted the advice from the great prophet, but instead, they have gone to bed with persons who would do anything to supervise the death of the DLP.

This great political party has always been led by men of vision, who have always been able to provide a solution to the problems facing the country. The people of the country have always responded when they hear the right thing.

The DLP is fortunate to still have persons who are not ‘yes’ men, neither are they men who would put individuals before party. The members of the party have an unswerving loyalty to it and must continue to protect it from people who now pretend to care about the party, only to run away when it finds itself in crisis.

My attention has been drawn to the second last paragraph of an article written by one Peter Wickham in which he indicated that I only gave up my constitutional rights when the party sought to breach a contract it made with me by declaring me a candidate and then breaching that contract. Somebody must tell the writer that he cannot continue to print fiction when it relates to this writer. Eventually, the truth will be known. So much for that.

I have never served in government, so I cannot offer anybody anything. I am not a shareholder in any newspaper or have authority to place anybody on shows, so I do not expect anyone to go out of their way to propel me. What I expect is that certain persons will continue to fabricate positive data to hide my popularity.

People must understand that I have been working from the age of five years, and have always been a survivor. I am known for surviving against the odds and have never depended on persons to prop me up. They are those who think that I am strange, simply because I have always used what I have to survive. All my life I have been ignored, because some individuals cannot handle my independence and frankness.

If I were a member of the BLP, I would make sure that the best person does not represent the DLP in the next election. I would therefore use my plant within the party to continue to create false hope.

The BLP as a party will never be able to dominate the DLP and our members must do everything to keep the flag of the DLP flying. One solution would be to solve the number of organizations that were created. The party must once again see the importance of its branches and all other groups must be linked to the branches first. We cannot allow anyone to continue diluting the branches, neither can we continue to allow politicians to misuse the branches by enrolling friends who leave when their man or woman is not the candidate anymore.

Branches can no longer be dominated by personalities only to become candidates, but candidates must be persons accepted by the constituency. Political parties must stop running friends of political leaders and run persons who are committed to the cause. Too often persons become candidates for what they can do for leaders, and not what they can do for the party.

I look forward to the day when the councils are once again filled with persons committed to the party and not to individuals who leave as soon as their man is not at the head anymore. Concepts must be developed in the interest of the party and not for persons who believe that if they attach their wagons to the right horse they will be rewarded to the maximum according to their dictates.

In order to share the cake, you must first have the cake. Fabrication can only fool us now, only for us to face the truth on an appointed day, when the cake will eclipse our grasp once again.

Our chance is here again. Do not let us waste it by believing persons who have been set up to fabricate information for us to be in the wilderness again. Please do not let us drop the bone catching at the shadow. If our opponents did it, we can better it.

Peace, love, unity and truth. One love.

(Denis Kellman is the Parliamentary Representative for the parish of St. Lucy, Barbados)

SPLIT PEAS AND RICE; MACARONI PIE

 VEGETABLE CHOWMEIN; CREAMED POTATO

MIXED VEGETABLES;  BAKED CHICKEN

BAKED PORK; BBQ SPARERIBS

FRIED SNAPPER; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH; STEAMED VEGETABLES

BEEF STEW; FISH GRAVY

TOSSED SALAD

I thought my eyes were going to pop earlier this year when I walked into a classroom of 11- and 12-year-olds. I’d just recited that Jamaica poem The Revolt of Chief Tacky. Naturally, I asked the young minds gathered if the poem reminded them of any local heroes. Alas, they stared at me blankly.

The Chief being a leader offered no subtle hint. The plot to revolt and fellow slaves joining his cause served as futile missiles to their blissful minds. Even that line about a fellow slave betraying the cause stirred not one ounce of familiarity, as I eventually, broke their bliss and informed them of our very own King Court.

Fast forward a few months, two terms even, and I find myself in a third form class, ages between 13 and 16. We’re reading Joanne Hillhouse’s Dancing Nude in the Moonlight. That day’s lesson of analysis was Uncle Wellie’s (a character) vast collection of Afro-Caribbean literature, and the revolutionists he compared our own Sir Vivian Richards too.

Now before you gape your mouth wondering if they didn’t know who that national hero was, relax. That much they knew. They knew of Paul Bogle, Toussaint L’Ouveture, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. But alas, my hopes once again shattered when the most they could offer on King Court was the location of “the statue there on that road opposite the doctor place” and a feeble, “yeah man … a national hero”.

One child even went as far as to boldly proclaim that this national hero had in fact been buried by our own former PM, Lester Bird!

Not a one could offer even the faintest umph of King Court’s story.

It made me take one of those nonchalant trips down memory lane, to grade four. It was Miss Chandler’s class. It was there, at about age nine, that I learned of King Court from this substitute teacher. It made me wonder, seriously ponder if our youths are not only facing the grave dilemma of not having a future, but were they already losing their past?

‘A tree without roots’

Borrowing the words from Marcus Garvey, that famous quote must be called into play: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

It makes me think of the Sankofa Life Purpose Centre and the work of people like the centre’s director Maureen Lee Simon, and others before her like Saiid Greene, Dorbrene O’marde, King Frank I, Alister Thomas and the list goes on. There, people have tried to share the wisdom of “Sankofa”, which means to move forward to your future, while remembering, or looking back on your past. Interestingly enough, these are the same people who can be found gathered at the King Court Monument every May to commemorate African Liberation Day. Again, these are the same people we find throughout the year and around Carnival paying homage to its origins, “Emancipation”.

There’s a history lesson for you folks who have forgotten, and you youngsters who were never told. Emancipation of slavery, of which Antigua and Barbuda proudly boast of being one of the first islands to implement it without apprenticeship, is the birthplace of Carnival.

Although over the centuries its method of commemoration has grossly deteriorated or altered, when emancipation was granted to the Antiguan slaves on 1st August, 1834, the slaves revelled the night before as their soon to be ex-slave masters kept watch from their great houses.

The slaves celebrated what would be the dawn of their freedom. But when the crack of dawn came on that monumental day in Afro-Caribbean history, the slaves left their revellery in the dusk, and with sombre hearts, found themselves at the Grace Hill Moravian Church in Liberta, to thank God for their freedom. That’s right. There was no nakedness, no vulgarity. Just reverence.

Again, many schoolchildren are unaware of something as simple as the origins of Carnival. They may be told that Carnival was established to celebrate Emancipation. But the lesson for most ends there. They are told nothing of the tribulations leading up to that day, nor are they told of the way it was celebrated. It’s amusing actually, to try and convince some 10-year-old of the way emancipation is celebrated when we look at the way it’s celebrated today, all in the name of Carnival.

I can’t help but remember the dismissive nonchalance of the minister of culture and the newly inducted director of culture when they offered no resolve or remorse for the animal cruelty and vulgarity which took place in the pre-Carnival activities at the Soca semi-finals. Ironic how we call for culture, homage to our heritage, yet resort to barbarism. What really is the point in telling our children to revere our heritage, acknowledge emancipation, when we as adults, or more so, authority figures and policymakers, show no reverence for history?

Interesting again, how as adults we expect so much of our young people – we expect them to exercise conflict resolution, when elections reverse the age and intellect of adults, the radio stations and Parliament sittings reflect something other than maturity, and we continue to plaster deep rooted situations with quick fix solutions.

We expect so much of our youth, chastise them for not knowing what we have neglected to teach them. We have replaced the ancient African tradition of story-telling, that sacred passage of history from one generation to the next via the mouth, by television, video games, and the like. Yet we, who have forgotten our own history, that transcends the boundaries of these shores, expect our youth to know our proud legacy, one that outlasts the bonds of slavery.

Putting your ‘hart’ into education

Granted, there are many misconceptions of our history – speaking of Afro-Caribbean history here. Take slavery. We go to school, learn from these history books, and are able to make logical, economical arguments for the necessity of slavery. Why is that? Well, most if not all of slavery has been documented, not by the people who suffered, but by those who benefitted.

Thus, when the opportunity is given to teach our children of a heritage beyond slavery, let us make haste and instil a strong sense of Black pride, African pride, and Caribbean pride in our children.

Let us take them as far as the jungles of Africa, and as near as the ruins in Antigua and Barbuda. Let us instil a pride in education, and take our children to the “hart” of local academia. The Hart sisters. Re-membering the Hart sisters serves as a double-edged store in the fight against national ignorance.

For starters, Antigua and Barbuda can boast of being the first, not one of, but the first island in the West Indies which held a building erected for the sole purpose of educating Black slaves. That speaks volumes for the value Antiguans and Barbudans placed on education even in a time when they were denied what was once considered a privilege for a certain class and race.

In 1813, sisters Anne Hart Gilbert and Elizabeth Hart Thwaites, daughters of a Black slave holder, built the first education institution for Black slaves in Antigua and in the West Indies. Elizabeth named it “Bethesda”. Yes, the same Bethesda you know as one of the oldest villages in Antigua, and the first village of free slaves, came in to being because of that single structure for education. Slaves volunteered to build the structure in a matter of six weeks, and the sisters taught between two to three hundred children and adults every day.

Apart from their commitment to education, and their groundbreaking pioneering efforts in that field, the Hart sister also represent that strong, independent pride of the Antiguan woman. We can proudly boast of having some of the first Afro-Caribbean female educators and writers in the West Indies. Now that’s something to be proud of, right there!

Sadly, many young people will not know of the Hart Sisters and their contribution to West Indian Education until they’re adults; sadly, rather than picking up a copy of The Hart Sisters: Early African Caribbean Writers, Evangelicals, and Radicals, to share a slice of Antiguan pride with your children, you may by The Caribbean Time Bomb, which they see exploding on a daily basis.

Sadly, another Independence celebration will come and go, and not enough will know the story of King Court – he’ll remain that “dude in the park”.

Antigua Sun

Opposition Leader Lester Bird has re-considered his position to boycott the official ceremony to mark the country’s 28th anniversary of Independence, which will be observed next Monday.

In a statement issued Friday, Bird said he re-evaluated an earlier stance taken and has determined he will be part of the celebration, despite being spurred on by members and supporters of his party not to make an appearance at the official ceremony next week because of actions on the part of the governor-general.

“Independence is about the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.  It belongs to all of the people whatever colour, class or creed.  What is more, the Labour Party was in the vanguard of the struggle to achieve the freedom from colonialism that Independence represents.

In this context, as leader of the opposition, and leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, I have a duty to all Antiguans and Barbudans – those of the present generation who live in its freedom and those of past generations who toiled for its achievement, to celebrate it and respect it,” Bird said.

The real issue that caused the opposition leader to become agitated in the first place has not been forgotten, with Bird choosing to say that the governor-general’s abuse of authority will be dealt with in the fullness of time.

He has accused Dame Louise Lake-Tack of abusing her powers, after she rejected the names of several individuals the opposition nominated for national awards.

“Since the lady has held the office, there has been overwhelming evidence of her bias against the Labour Party and her disregard for its constitutional rights.”

The latest demonstration of this is her refusal of the right of Her Majesty’s Leader of the Opposition to nominate deserving individuals for honours in the list marking the anniversary of the nation’s Independence.

The governor-general has bluntly denied the number of nominations made by me, as leader of the opposition, after consultation within my party and the wider community.

“She has incorrectly and unlawfully limited the number the opposition leader can make even though the law is quite clear and specific about the precise number and the time period in which such nominations may be made,” Bird stated.

Based on legal advice, the opposition leader said the governor-general’s decree is wrong in law, and could only have been made through deliberate interpretation.

Bird accuses Dame Louise Lake-Tack of being biased toward the Labour Party because under his administration, she was rejected for the position she currently holds.

“She was turned-down for the post because of good and well considered reasons, not least that she had been resident in the United Kingdom for a long time and had little connection with the ordinary citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

“In any event, there were far better candidates for the post; persons capable of the impartiality and objectivity which the job required and who had been resident in the country sharing the experience of the people through good times and bad.

“Because she was not considered for the post, the lady has shown deep resentment to the Labour Party and displayed vengeful behaviour in the conduct of her duties.”

Bird outlined that he has not seen the slightest indication in the governor-general’s actions of the objectivity and fairness of judgment that are vital to the Independence of the Office of Governor-General.

GEORGETOWN- GUYANA

— Lorgat optimistic of another great ICC event; wants the Caribbean to successfully host next year’s Twenty20 World Cup as tickets officially go on sale from today

In the presence of the Caribbean and the world’s finest cricketers, Clive Lloyd, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Garfield Sobers and Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner just to name a  few, the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched it’s ticket sales for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup at the outstanding facilities of the Kensington Oval in Barbados Saturday evening.

Touching the Holy Grail! WICB CEO Ernest Hilaire (left) along with ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat and ICC WT20 Tourn-ament director Robert Bryan pose with the glittering male and female 20/20 World Cup trophies at Saturday’s Ticket Sales Launch in Barbados (Rawle Toney Photo)

Splashed with the tournament’s phrase, Captivating, Contagious Cricket, cricketing greats of the past, along with representatives from the ICC and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), officially declared ticket box offices in the Caribbean and around the world open.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC Haroon Lorgat expressed high optimism that 2010 World T20 will be just as or even more exciting that the two previous showings in South Africa and England and also assured West Indians that a reoccurrence of 2007 Cricket World Cup was not possible.

“We want to see people filling the party stands, enjoying the sights, sounds and fellowship of a day at the cricket. We want them to bring their conch shells, their drums, their flags and banners. We want them to bring their voices, their sense of humour and their passion for the game and for their team,” Lorgat said.

Having a cricketing word – ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat (left) shares a light conversation with Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Chetram Singh (right) and Secretary Anand Sanassie at the WT20 ticket sales launch in Barbados on Saturday.

The South African Lorgat says that the ICC …”recognizes the unique nature of cricket in the West Indies and we want this to be a cricket tournament with a genuine West Indian feel. This is another wonderful opportunity for the West Indian countries to prove again their ability to stage a major world event right here in the Caribbean.”

The 49 year-old Lorgat, who took up the post in April of 2008, succeeding Australian Malcolm Speed, declared that the countdown was on now with the four host countries to ensure the focus of the world will be on another great ICC event.  Cricket in this part of the world Lorgat said, has captured the imagination of fans in every corner of the globe.

He added that every team has its own way of doing things and the style, passion and power of how the game has been played by generations of West Indian cricketers is their signature, their indelible mark that will remain forever. Meanwhile, ICC WT20 Tournament Director Robert Bryan was obdurate in his address to the gathering in stating that the Caribbean will deliver what he calls the best Twenty20 World Cup ever.

This is not the first time that the Jamaican Bryan is soaking his feet in the deep waters of one of the games spectacles as he was the CEO  Operations of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in his homeland.

“The ICC World Twenty/20 is no ordinary tournament; it’s the best from the world of Twenty/20 cricket. It is the pinnacle of Twenty/20 achievements so if you’re a player, we expect you to bring your ‘A’ game, your best bowling, batting and fielding,” said the Tournament Director.

“If you’re a fan we understand and know that no one does it like they do in the West Indies, we advise you to bring noise makers, your best costumes, your brightest colours, your biggest cheers. Bring it on we say, the speed will be captivating, the energy will be contagious, the tournament will deliver the best captivating, contagious cricket” , Bryan blissfully added.

President of the WICB Julian Hunte said that the Caribbean was less than 200 days away from another signature moment in its history and in the annals of cricket within the West Indies.

Hunte said that not so long ago, the possibility of a world-class sporting event coming to the Caribbean would have been considered at best a fanciful notion.

“Now, here we are preparing diligently for our second international cricket tournament in less than three years with the confidence and professionalism of seasoned experts.”

“Yes, the tickets prices are very attractive, some might even say cheap – and this helps. It is not often that a fan can boast of seeing some of the best players in a sport compete in a final for US$40. In fact, it’s TWO finals for that price – both the men’s and women’s. There is also the potential of watching some riveting first round match-ups for just US$5. Special consideration has also been given to Under-16 fans, as you will hear later,” the WICB boss said.

Four venues will be used next year for the games showpiece event with Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia staging the men’s tournament and St Kitts hosting the women’s.

The National Stadium at Providence will play host to the first round matches where Guyanese will get a chance to witness the opening of the ICC WT20 on April 30 along with all the  West Indies matches.

Tickets for the stands will be sold at US$10 and grounds or grass mound as it is known are being sold at US$5 and party stands US$65 while children under will be admitted for free.

St Lucia and Barbados were fortunate to host both super eight and semi-finals along with the first round sets of matches, but the Kensington Oval was named the home of the finals for the male and females championships.

Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis with a minimal of four tickets per household per match.