#BTSpeakingOut – Is it Independence Day or Republic Day?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Michael Headley

Just like Marcellus in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar had verbally rebuked the crowd for calling out a public holiday in honour of Julius Caesar, on Tuesday’s Brass Tacks radio programme some callers were venting their utter contempt against a perceived move, by some, to equate or replace Independence Day with Republic Day.

To most of the listening audience, these days are mutually exclusive and should remain that way in perpetuity.
November 30, 1966, was a time, for Bajans and honourees alike, to celebrate with unbridled passion and emotion as the Union Jack was lowered and the Broken Trident was raised triumphantly on that historic day.

At that moment, the immortal words of the anthem, “These fields and hills beyond recall are now our very own”, aroused the nation’s souls. In the play’s dialogue, some Romans seemed eager to replace the memory of the great Roman general Pompey.

Likewise, is there a movement afoot to dumb down the sterling contribution that the late, great, Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow – the father of Independence – made to the early development and progress of Barbados?

If not, why would a flyer with a named primary school on the heading be circulating on social media with Republic Day wishes and events, and no mention of Independence Day? Was that by accident or design? We can only hope that it was the work of a prankster and should’ve been immediately condemned by all elected officials.

As Barbados continues to progress, on the world stage, there should be no confusion regarding names of important and historical dates. Let’s hope that those in authority also see the need to differentiate these two unique days sooner rather than later.