#BTEditorial – May God continue to bless Bim

Here we are 56 years after that historic night when the Union Jack was lowered and the National Flag of Barbados raised for the first time. We have been told the stories of the pride and patriotism felt by those who witnessed this momentous occasion.

Independence came after 300 years of our beloved country being a colony under British rule. The National Anthem, penned by Irving Burgie was played for the first time at the Garrison Savannah heralding a new day in the country.

We are well aware that our brave forefathers sowed the seed. When we think of Independence we can hardly do so without reflecting on the vision and bravery of the team, led by Errol Barrow, which took that step.

But it doesn’t only cause us to think about our leaders. We think about our grandparents, the elderly man or woman who lived in the district we grew up in. We cast our minds to the labourers who worked in the canefields, those who picked cotton, those who worked the field to yield agricultural crops. We take our minds to images of shops across Barbados, long before there were supermarkets.

We visualise villagers by a “standpipe” catching water or washing clothes or even little ones taking a bath. We also see the fishermen at sea plying their trade. The images of Bridgetown early Saturday morning also come to mind. Vendors were known then as “hawkers” with baskets filled with vegetables, fruits and the like. We think about many churches across Barbados packed to capacity as people dressed in fine frock worship on Sunday mornings.

These memories and many others form the brick and mortar of who we are as a people. Every single Barbadian has contributed to the development of our country and by extension are all agents of propelling our Independence.

The reason many of us reflect at this time is because we are acutely aware that in order to appreciate where we are now and all that we have accomplished we must look back. We don’t look back with an intention to stay there but with the knowledge that where we come from will inform where we should be going.

What we have done well over the past 56 years should not be overlooked or taken for granted, nor should anyone seek to erase it as if it never happened. To do so would be a grave error.

We must hold strong to the past, taking the lessons of our successes and failures.

Last year, this time another chapter was added to History’s page when Barbados transitioned to Republican status . For the first time we declared that Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason would be our President. She became the first Bajan Head of State. And so, we are now 56 years Independent and one year a Republic.

Earlier this month  a Cabinet decision was taken to replace Independence Day with Barbados National Day. After a huge uproar on social media, the call-in programmes and elsewhere the decision was reversed and put on “pause”.

Thankfully here we are today. Two mega celebrations in the heart of Bridgetown for Bajans to celebrate 56 years of Independence. The Democratic Labour Party held its grand concert this evening in Independence Square, while the Government’s celebration is all set for Wednesday at Heroes Square.

For some of us God Bless Bim on Independence Day by The Merrymen has renewed meaning. May we  choose to celebrate these two distinct and monumental days, not forgetting the significance of both.

Barbados continues to push forward and move towards full and free independence. Many argue that it will never be. We are simply too small and dependent on others to truly attain Independence.

And, while there is merit in that position, the words of our Anthem still hold true as we continue to write our names on history’s page. A small country by size that continually does big things.

A level of patriotism and nostalgia comes over all of us when one of us achieves especially on the world stage. There can be no doubt that “The Lord continues to be the people’s guide”. Let us therefore continue to put our hands to the plough as our forefathers did. May our country grow from strength to strength. Cheers to 56 and God Bless Bim on Independence Day.

On behalf of our Chairman, the management and staff of Barbados TODAY we wish you a Happy Independence Day!