Robert “Bobby” Clarke – Barbadian and Caribbean Patriot

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By David Abdulah

The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) pays tribute to Robert “Bobby” Clarke, progressive attorney at law and political activist who passed away on Sunday September 25th and gives thanks for his life and legacy. We extend our sincere condolences to Bobby’s family, friends and his colleagues in the Clement Payne Movement.

Bobby Clarke, while Barbadian, was a true Pan Caribbean and Pan African figure. He was part of the generation of young Caribbean attorneys who defended the rights of workers, trade unions and the ordinary citizen. His friends and comrades were Maurice Bishop (Grenada), Allan Alexander (Trinidad and Tobago), Richard Small (Jamaica) and Miles Fitzpatrick (Guyana), among others. Within days of the Grenadian Revolution in March 1979, Bobby was on a plane to Grenada to assist Maurice and the new People’s Revolutionary Government. He was deeply pained by the destruction of the Revolution and the assassination of his dear friends. But he joined us here in Trinidad and Tobago for the Memorial Service for Maurice and the other martyrs, held in December, 1983.

Bobby was a founding member of the Assembly of Caribbean People, first held here in Trinidad in August 1994, and his colleagues David Comissiong and David Denny attended the preparatory meeting of the Assembly in Trinidad in 1992. Bobby attended most of the Assemblies since that time and served on the Regional Executive Committee of the ACP. He and David Comissiong organised the 5th Assembly in Barbados in 2010. Bobby was, from the outset, a friend of Cuba and gave unflinching support and solidarity to the Cuban people and the Cuban Revolution. He was often attacked by conservative elements in Barbadian society, but this never caused Bobby to change his principle positions.

Bobby’s home in Barbados was a regular meeting place for progressive Caribbean activists and friends. He would always be focused on what could be done to strengthen regional integration, not just at the official level, but through people to people trade. He was insistent that progressive movements should come up with clear policies that were alternatives to the neo-liberal agenda being pursued by many Caribbean governments and which are designed by international capital in their interests. Bobby Clarke also believed in South-South economic relations and was an unrepentant Pan Africanist.

Bobby Clarke may not have been successful in traditional politics, but his impact on the lives of ordinary Barbadians and his legacy will surely be much more powerful than many who sat in the Parliament or Cabinet room. Bobby Clarke was a Caribbean patriot who defended our right to be sovereign nations free of imperial and colonial control. He fought for the interests of the ordinary man and woman and opposed the system and structures of power that locked them out of decision-making and economic wealth.

Bobby Clarke was a friend and comrade. I shall miss the engaging discussions with him. His spirit and love for life were part of his personality but never stopped him from his life-long commitment to bring about a better society. He now joins that pantheon of Caribbean ancestors who contributed immensely to our journey up to freedom and as we strive to build a Caribbean Civilisation, based on social justice.

David Abdulah is Political Leader of the Movement for Social Justice, Trinidad and Tobago.