#BT Column – A poem of service, dignity, discipline and humility

By Walter Edey 

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England is a momentous occasion, marking the end of seventy-years of continuous reign by a single monarch with her fair share of imperfection.  However, it would be a mistake to view her death as the end of an era; as a reason to advocate for a modern monarchy as some American media commentators are already doing. To reject the value of service, the virtue of dignity of human spirit and the role of a neutral voice in society is to liberalize chaos, division and indiscipline; to ‘set mischief afoot’ and ‘let slip the dogs of war on the common and national good.  A disciplined and orderly mind is not only a satellite magnificence but the reason why the indivisible can and does produce the impossible and things nuclear.    

Queen Elizabeth II was more than just a figurehead. She was a symbol of service, dignity, political neutrality and monarchal stability. When she was fourteen years old, and long before her coronation she said with youthful pride: “I am committed to service whether my life is short or long.” She must have done something right for the universe energized her for ninety-six years. Her reign was at a time when Great Britain and the world were divided along political lines, Yet, she represented the value of neutrality and non-partisanship.

The Queen was a tireless worker who always put her duty to her country before her own personal comfort. She was a steady presence during times of great upheaval and change, providing a sense of continuity and stability. Even in her later years, when she was no longer able to travel as extensively, she continued to carry out her royal duties with grace and dignity. In her last days, as in life, she was a model of regal strength and royal behaviour.

As we mourn her passing, we should also remember that she leaves behind a legacy of public service and commitment to duty that is an example for us all.

As we reflect on her life and legacy, let us also remember that there is much to be gained from taking a similar approach in our own lives.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England marks the end of a seventy years of the reign of a monarch but should not be considered as the end of an era of service, dignity, and discipline.

To truly understand Queen Elizabeth’s legacy and contribution is not to see her reign through the colonial lens but through the stages of development of every civilization.    

Many historians have proposed that civilizations go through a set of predictable stages, each of which lasts for a certain amount of time. While there is some disagreement about the specific stages, most experts agree that the process and development stages: (1) A period of mixture, during which different cultures come into contact with one another. (2) A phase of withdrawal, in which one group tries to distance itself from the others. (3) A period of domination, in which one culture begins to assert its power over the others. (4) A phase of stability, during which time the dominant culture solidifies its position. (5) A period of decline, in which the civilization starts to lose energy and momentum.  (6) The civilization reaches a point of invasion, at which time it is overrun by another culture. That’s the context and framework that provide a useful and deeper perspective of her reign.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England comes at a time of turmoil and change; a season of ideological and cultural warfare; a period of financial and social struggle and disruption; a moment when the global ship of state appears rudderless and without anchor.

As England and the world prepares to enter a new chapter, it is fitting that we reflect on the impact that Queen Elizabeth II has had not only on our lives but her humility and interpretation of service, her separation of the person who simply had everything to live and enjoy, from the office she shielded from external forces.

As Barbadians reflect on her life, they should remember that Barbados was primarily once a mixture of African and European cultures. It became interactive groups and has gestated. Not only did it grow and expand but has undergone periods of internal conflict and the search for identity, and power. In fact, Barbadians should be reminded that life in Barbados did not begin in 1966 or with them. Indeed, Harrison College is older than the United States of America. As Barbados seeks a new constitution, rewrites its education system, envisions new living and social spaces, among others, Queen Elizabeth II has demonstrated that a monarchy by whatever name, is more than the office holder. It is by design a rudder of society that speaks to things greater than self or the politician. And as King Charles III’s first official speech indicated, he has promised to cease offering personal opinions. Cleary he has chosen his mother’s footsteps: a poem of service, dignity, discipline and humilty.    

Walter Edey is a retired maths and science educator in Barbados and New York.