By Shamar Blunt
Barbados must return to its roots and rebuild the strength of family and community bonds, said Prime Minister Mia Mottley as a Monument to the Barbadian Family was unveiled in Heroes Square on Tuesday.
The monument in the heart of the nation’s capital, which replaces the statue of the British naval war hero Horatio Nelson, in Heroes Square, formerly Trafalgar Square, features slabs which recognise all 11 National Heroes of Barbados, as well as the words “Inspired, Exulting, Free” from the National Anthem on both ends of the structure.
In speaking on the significance of the new installation, Mottley said that in order for Barbadians to remain firm in their commitment to building a better future for generations to come, a renewed focus must be placed on repairing the modern family structure.
“What does it mean to be firm craftsmen of our fate? I say to you this afternoon, that we in this generation, as children now not only of Independence, but of a Republic, have determined that being firm craftsmen of our fate means being faithful of our past, and committed to building a future,” she said.
“If we understand that, then we know that if we are to be faithful to our past, the one institution that has not received the healing that it ought to have received, and continues to suffer in a way that we see regrettably in too many examples in our landscape, is our family. A family that was broken from the time that they brought the people here, in order to determine that one group should have dominion over another group.”
According to the prime minister, the National Heroes have all demonstrated in their own manner the sacrifices and dedication required for building the country, but they also demonstrated what is achievable with a solid household and a community foundation.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
“The National Heroes as signified, show us what is possible, but without the family, none of them would be where they are today and capable of producing what they produced to build this nation. I ask us therefore today, to reflect, that as we seek to be firm craftsmen of our fate, that we understand that while families are not being divided on arrival, that not enough is being done to keep families together in our communities.”
Despite some critics’ claims that the island draws much of its influence from bodies from outside our shores, Mottley believes that the opportunity to restore families must come from inside.
She declared: “This time we can’t look outside for the answer, we have to look within. When we speak about the need to remove the scars of slavery, one of those things must be the commitment to raise our children. We know that in our context, family is the extended family; the grandmother; the great-aunt; the godmother; the auntie; the uncle. These are the voices and these are the hands that helped nurture and raise our children, particularly when they fall on doubt or fall on hard times.
“It is only through solidarity and community and family, that we can raise to become the best that we can be because as a small nation, we need everyone moving in the same direction if we are going to make difficult things seem achievable.”
Barbadians who turned out for the unveiling ceremony.
In light of the recent emphasis on mental health, Mottley also issued an appeal for Barbadians to offer support where it is needed in a respectful and loving manner.
“I equally ask us to recognise that the cries of some in our community, whether through mental health difficulties as young people as we have seen in recent times, or whether those who believe that the new family should be the gang, that we say to them, do not lose your roots, and do not forget those who love you unconditionally even if they have not understood how to express it. The rest of us who can intercede where those relationships are clearly broken, and where there is need for healing, then we should do so with dignity and respect,” the prime minister said.
