Birth and adulthood are separate events

With direct reference to a statement attributed to the Prime Minister, I wish to make the following comments and suggestions:

• The election of the first Barbadian Head of State does not have to be attached to the birthday of independent Barbados that occurred almost 56 years ago.

• The election of the first Barbadian Head of State is rightly linked to the status of Barbados as a republic that no longer recognizes the reigning monarch of Britain as the Head of State.

• Just as the colony of Barbados moved to sovereign independent status on the morning of 30th November 1966, the move to republican status should be inaugurated on a separate and distinct date specifically arranged and celebrated for such occasion.

• The birth of a child and the attainment of adulthood are separate and distinct occasions deserving of their own special observance, commemorations and celebrations.

• There is enough time and space on and off the calendar to commemorate and celebrate Barbados’ independence apart from its republican status.

• The selection of a day to be called Barbados National Day or Republic Day is an uncomplicated no-brainer.

• There are no less than eight days that can be considered in this regard, examples being New Year’s Day, Whit Monday, Kadooment Day, Boxing Day, Emancipation Day, Labour Day, 1st December and 29th November.

From a historical perspective, it is difficult to find any two events that are of greater significance in the life of a nation than the achievement of independence and the further transition to republican status.

For those who are unaware, both republics of Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana celebrate Independent Day and Republic Day on two separate and distinct days.

It makes good sense to allow country Barbados room enough to breathe and breathe deeply. Not allowing two bright lights to shine at the same time and in the same space, one diminishing the radiance of the other.

One will naturally obscure the other if the appellations “Independence Day” and “Barbados National Day” are allowed to radiate simultaneously on the very day 30th November.

Each days deserves its own presence, preeminence and prominence without any distractions whatsoever.
– Michael Ray