On the evening of October 28, 2014, esteemed Canadian jurist, Dr. Irving W. André, gave a masterful presentation at the Fort Young Hotel on the legacy of the late Premier Edward Oliver LeBlanc, the architect of Dominica’s self-government. Reports say that it was a standing-room only event. In attendance was the President, the Bishop, the leader of the Opposition, other high officials; professionals and concerned citizens.
LeBlanc, who led Dominica from 1961 to 1974, was considered an efficient and integrity driven administrator. An agriculturist and poet from the village of Veille Casse, he had swept the Dominican peasantry and urban working class into power in 1961. He brought educational opportunity to the many, land to the landless, homes to the homeless and social change in a manner, hitherto unprecedented. For his accomplishments, so well illustrated in Dr. André’s “Edward Oliver LeBlanc and the Struggle to Transform Dominica (Irving André, Pont Casse Press, 2005),” LeBlanc is often considered the father of the nation. Regrettably André’s book, on someone who is a towering nation builder, is not on any school curriculum on island. No wonder so many of our young are dismissive of their island and unwilling to sacrifice their time and treasure to its uplift.
At our 36th anniversary of independence, it is only right and proper to consider where we are as a nation and what lessons we have drawn from LeBlanc’s legacy. And where are we? Some observations are useful here:
- Consciousness and Respect: On all sides, we still abide a deep self loathing. It is shown by the lack of a national patriotic education that inculcates love and respect for the culture of the majority African descended population, or the Kalinago people. So Dominicans are still looking for investors from outside to save the day, dismissing their own brothers and sisters of merit with scant regard that we are worthy as a people. As a result any political changes will bring only fleeting improvement in national life, until and unless self respect breeds the discipline and self confidence so neccesary for socio-economic take off.
- Organization: The Chinese, the Jews and East Indian communities have shown how colonialism and past discrimination are no eternal bars to progress. All these groups were able to vault over their obstacles with time. However, it took a coherent and disciplined commitment to partnering, alliance building and organization to get them to positions of strength. Often times when Dominicans at home and abroad have sought to write books about our condition, they have faced political and other discrimination from their own. When Dominicans at home and abroad sought to build an academy of arts and sciences to educate and partner for the common good, there was no national consensus on the value of such an organization. Few joined up or paid their dues. In time, the organization became victim to the discord so common in a state where there is no national consensus on development priorities and where commitment to unselfish public service is increasingly weak. In the scramble for power, scant regard is paid to truth and character assassination is the order of the day – as a result too many of the educated are disengaged and the masses are seduced by idle demagoguery offering sweet nothings as solutions.
- Incoherence in Matters of the National Interest: Who are we? What do we need? When and where can we reach consensus on public policy upon whose tide the ship of state will float? On all sides of the political arena personality politics reign supreme, few debate issues of art, sciences, honest partnerships between Dominicans at home and abroad, industry, small business, banking, public health or agriculture without falling into the dark maw of partisanship. In the recent debate on Dominica pertaining to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, persons of African descent are heard excoriating Africans and telling Black Dominicans who advocate that one should not discriminate against our African brothers “to go back to Africa.” Now, even reasoned debate on the Ebola disease and public health responses thereto, is caught in the feverish grip of competing political agendas. The level of ignorance and partisanship is frightening. Whither goeth progress?
Dr. Irving André is no Johnny-come-lately to the national independence debate. He was an active member of the Popular Independence Committee formed by Rosie Douglas. It was in that struggle our brotherhood was forged. He migrated to Canada, and associated with other Dominicans in Canada, offering leadership to the various Diaspora organizations there. He was an exemplary leader in the Diaspora in the Development Symposiums held after the untimely death of Rosie Douglas in 2000. Indeed, word of his elevation to the position of Judge at the Superior Court of Brampton Ontario came while he was officiating at the 2002 Diaspora Development Symposium at the very same Fort Young. In 1992 he committed to founding Pont Casse Press to publish books on Dominica and so perpetuate a sense of heritage and knowledge at the service of development. He did not bask in his personal accomplishments and forget his roots in Dominica. He has stayed true in his concern for the future of our country.
So what shall be the legacy of that excellent Edward Oliver LeBlanc lecture? That presentation should be treated with the gravitas it deserves. Indeed, may we all engage in sober reflection on the quality of our service to our communities and country. The University of the West Indies organizers did well to have organized the event. Dr. Irving Pascal was wise in having ensured it was broadcasted. The presentation itself was the product of scholarship and disciplined effort. In his finessed dissection of the man, Dr. André exalted those virtues of LeBlanc: Integrity, service, self respect, a passion for the common good. May we, as we seek to transform Dominica, note that LeBlanc was also a deeply complex man, who faced much opposition in his time. Many would say he was driven into internal exile, misunderstood by the radical intellectuals of the day, mistrusted by the merchants and big landowners, betrayed by his own. Then, as now, there was a lack of national consensus and we have faltered. Yet, today we remember, the progress he brought and the unrealized promise of his reign.
May we then, like André, seek to be more organized, more committed to paying our dues, and less grabbing of power to the disregard of the courtesies and niceties of friendships of years. Let us be the change that LeBlanc’s life and service promised. We still have an opportunity to build the beloved community he sought. We can do better as a nation where we purge ourselves of the self hate, reproachful politics, and malevolence which will leave our beautiful island a wasteland where not bridled. Shall the blind lead the blinded? Who shall reach across the aisle and build bridges in our small but divided land? Shall we stop the bleeding?
As the curtain descended on the master lecture the applause resounded within the stout battlements of the old Fort Young. The fort is but a stones’ throw away from the new Emancipation monument to the Negre Maron – African freedom fighters who had sought refuge from slavery in Dominica’s mountainous Zion. It was maybe a metaphor for the narrow base for serious and scholarly analysis of what ails us as a nation, that this lecture took place within the walls of a former British colonial fortress – now a hotel, and not at the more commodious auditorium of the Dominica State College or some place more public; a place where students, the young and old, could savor the fruits of such heritage enrichment. It cannot be that we have reduced discourse on our island only to mass community gatherings mired in garish noises which pretend to be melodious, accompanied by low brow dancing and strong drink.
Dr. André’s delivery at this time of our celebration of independence from Britain, is a call for sobriety, profound meditation and the absolute need for positive action to build a more conscious and united country. It would be to disrespect his work where his lecture was taken as one more reason to merely pay homage to more rancid partisanship run amok. A meaningful tribute to Dr. André’s work, as with the legacy of LeBlanc, means crafting a robust pro development character. It is also required that we inculcate more civic virtue in our young, thereby arresting the selfishness which undermines public service. Such beneficial value engineering demands we put country over party. It also means committing ourselves to the change within, without which change on the external is ultimately illusory.
Gabe, the impact of your analysis of Dr. Andre’s scholarly work is evidenced in the comments so far. Clearly, it energizes the hopeful and smokes the selfish enemies of progress.
So many brilliant Dominicans have gone on to greatness, never to turn back and give us the benefit of their learning. Never can it be said that you two have not been giants in focusing us on our noble heritage and tremendous potential. Indeed as one reader observed, have we not lost all sense of identity when so high a percentage of our women spend so much to weave Indian or Brazilian hair onto their heads? How can our country prosper when so many men lack initiative and industry, content instead with grabbing handouts and sewo from above?
Thanks for giving us a vision of courageous servant-leadership in the political realm. Thanks for highlighting integrity, how it was in Leblanc’s time – and how it will be again!
These types of lectures need to be available to all high school students in Dominica. There has to be a way to get this type of material into classrooms. So much of what is taught is foreign and outdated. We can follow a curriculum and still remain current.
After the British left us all they left us with is people who were educated to serve others, fight each other , create nothing for them selves , and be proffesional beggers all over the world. Blue or Red is clueless in creating nothing.
Gabriel
Sir Brian Alleyne had proposed at the event that the lecture be published and circulated among the schools. He went further and offered to help finance the publication. Was he taken up on the offer? I do not know.
It would be good for our children to know of LeBlanc and be taught civics of a kind which teaches critical thinking and a commitment to nation building. May it be we rally around those who desire to publicize this lecture. We cannot build a modern nation where the airwaves abound in mepuis and gossip instead of serious discussions on issues which matter. Well done Gabou. No one can say you and Irving have not tried to shine a light in dark places
The only Race on the planet that will fight each other to be all like another Race is the Africans. ? Why do they have fake Indian hair on their head. They fight to spend all their money with other people. Africans will never succeed in this life with that mind set. Slavery mest us up so bad , all of us are mentally ill. We must get help. Most light skinned people get married to light skinned or white people, the white man told them that they are better , their kids do the same. The man left us so confused we will never be right.
Andre why can’t you leave MR. Leblanc rest in peace. When he was alive you all never gave him the flowers he deserved so let him rest.
Masterfully written ! This type of leader only comes about once in a while A man of integrity, honesty and may many other good qualities . He once said that if you did not have the desire to serve the people any longer you should go home ! This is what we need as leaders ! Not DA only ! Men and women who look forward to serve their country for the peoples’ interests ; not theirs ! Let us hope and pray that this message resonates loud and clear !
It is just frustrating and unfortunate when I hear Dominicans say I am not African, I am Dominican. That is like the blackest person from Latin American say I am not black I am Latin American, as if an ethnic group is a race of people.
Without good roots a tree cannot produce good fruits. If your roots are not in Africa, then you are accepting slavery as your root because before slavery we were not in the Western Hemisphere en-mass although some of us went to Brazil. If you accept your African roots then you transcend slavery and acknowledge an origin that is separate from slavery.
No matter where a Chinese is born, he is a Chinese. No matter where an Italian is born, she is an Italian. We need to stop running from ourselves……
So where are the 189 comments: well, this piece which is so well written and informative, is political, but not politics, is therefore not considered controversial enough for Dominicans to comment on. A people without vision must stumble and fall.
Profound and insightful. The sad part is not many of our folks will feast on this knowledge so rich and free. We need discourse but our leaders need to be led. They lack national foresight, but it’s not a losing game. We have a chance.
Gabriel it is noble of people like you to raise concerns about corruption and misuse of public goods that you believe that is taking place in Dominica.but i believe it is the failure of people like you and Dr.Andre failing to recognize what is going on in the country,not even mentioning the process far less to give some critical support.despite all it mistakes,the d.l.p is in the mists of a struggle to transform the Dominican economy from a banana republic and adapting,a Multi sectorial approach in it economic development and the failure of people like you and Dr. Andre to make a contribution to that debate has created that distrust.as Dominica we are proud of you guys but we expect you all to call a spade a spade.
I cannot understand someone who has the unmitigated gall to accuse Andre and Christian of not trying to help Dominica or support the administration. Were they not the ones who invited Vince, Skerrit, Nanthan, Alick and others to the biggest DOMINICA development meeting in history on December 7 2001 hosted by Rosie Douglas Foundation and DAAS. All you fellas don’t care about Dominicans unless they can bring brown paper bag or sing for their supper. We need men and women of respect and dignity who will put country before country. We need men and women unafraid to speak their. Today if you cannot sing you in dog house and that is why the country is split. Mr Christian is asking for peace, unity, effective and honest government and he has proven that he puts his time and money to help any Dominican he can, anywhere he meet them. I know Irving and Gabou from school days and these guy have always worked yo help Dominica and not bring shame on us. Those who have shamed us must now repent
SINGLE GREAT IRONY indeed..that LEBLANC must now be turning in his grave ….the man who got a free pass in the coaliiton of 2000 and who sold out his party to remain in government ,,now is PRESIDENT !
This fine article is evocative of the exhortation of former Prime Minister Edison James that we should strive to be “a kinder, gentler people.” Unfortunately, hardship does not breed gentility and neither education nor industry can seed the cloud of compassion and nationalism necessary to drown that culture of hate and disrespect rampant in our peripheral society. We are poor parents; insultive, abusive, prideless, riding the crest of a wave of narcissism and selfishness that defies economic common sense. Only a loud crash will overwhelm this nightmare. Those who fail to note Mr Christians observations will experience the chaos to follow. Time is more persuasive than reason said Thomas Paine.
A new colonial, new kind of slavery politics now envelop our beautiful nature Isle.
The ideals and vision of Leblanc have been thrown been betrayed.
Sad but true, many Dominicans now, more than ever, embrace, bathe in acts of illegalities, with the thinking that they have “power.” They tell themselves, “We are “In Power.” Many support their Leaders who engage in quick enrichment, by dubious means, while in Public Office.
Forget about integrity, transparency or concern for the Marginalized and those in dire poverty.
Would Leblanc ever, ever think of selling, much less to have a policy of selling our collective property, our passports to whoever?
Would Leblanc give away 15 acres of our Land, from the Cabrits National Park, to a foreigner? To add insult to injury, even give that same foreign concern, our passports to sell to raise money to build his hotel? Dominica sold, big time. What leader of any country do those things? Rampant corruption. Rural…
Thanks Gabriel..All that base behaviour needed to be said to Dominicans…The Dalai Lama said…not quoting directly..The way,how and what we think determines our actions, our actions form our habits , our habits are central to our character and OUR CHARACTER IS OUR DESTINY>>so it is with individuals as it is with nations,..If your thinking is trashy so will be your destiny