In context with our readiness for yet another anniversary of emancipation from our British colonizers, it should be a moment of reckoning as to the level of progression or retrogression we have seen over the years. As nationals residing abroad, along with other immigrants, converge on our island, in anticipation of celebrating our so-called customary Independence Celebration, it is time for an introspection. That is to say, the time for comparing, contrasting and assessing where we are as a nation, relative to where we have been, is now.
Recall that during the pre-independence era, or colonialism, we only knew “God Save the Queen”. Our allegiance was largely to our colonialists, and in part to the national political leader or Premier of the land. Although we answered to our white British bosses (Anglo-Saxons), we had all the engines of economic growth and development in place for a vibrant government; thus, our economy thrived.
In spite of the minuscule returns we were recompensed in exchange for our exports of banana and other products, no one languished, and few remained unemployed for considerably lengthy periods. We were at their mercy, having no benchmark by which to compare. Oftentimes, we felt exploited and enslaved under white imperialistic rulership; however, we had little or no alternatives. We therefore had to accept things as they were, conceding that it was the master-slave system in play – of which we had little or no control. Nonetheless, we were protected by an assurance of guaranteed markets for the goods we produced. Dominica was well within the realm of what was perceived as a normal-functioning country. Paradoxically, citizens were economically empowered and independent.
In 1978, then Premier, the Honorable Patrick Roland John, tenaciously and resolutely ventured into uncharted waters by weaning us from the claws of our colonists. Political Independence, hence self-sufficiency and sovereignty were born. It was indeed a bold and daring move on PJ’s part, and he is deserving of much accolades for his vision, intuitions and optimisms for the future. Today, the former Premier has been expunged from the Independence Celebrations equation.
Mr. John’s rulership, however, was by no means a walk in the park. Recall that we experienced our first taste of quasi-autocracy on his watch. His attempt at dictatorship was ironically aborted by the very man swathed behind the walls and tall pillars of the white elephant State Building. Charles Savarin was indeed the architect of the revolution – which ultimately brought PJ’s kingdom crumbling on May 29, 1979 – a fascinating dichotomy.
During the next twenty (20) years post-independence, we saw largely a normal transition under Eugenia Charles. Dominicans’ self-esteem, dignity and optimisms reached their pinnacle during this period – both nationally and internationally. Our country was productive and the economy was vibrant. Our Iron Lady, although having dropped the ball by her failure to capitalize on the opportunity to put Dominica on the world stage, commanded respect amongst her international counterparts, the likes of US President, Ronald Reagan, and Britain’s Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Our country had capable representation that we were proud of. Dominica was as good a nation as any other. We were proud citizens and Independence Celebrations were quite in order.
Notwithstanding the elevated bar left by The Dame, equally adept to fill that position was the United Workers Party’s (UWP) Edison James. A British trained biochemist, Mr. James, in only one term, accomplished what most couldn’t in a much longer tenure. To enhance the work of his predecessor, the Marigot leader significantly changed the island’s infrastructure with regard to schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and sea walls. Thus far, Mr. James remains the only prime minister who has made any tangible movements toward bringing an international airport to Dominica. At the time of his departure, a site had already been acquired to begin construction. Honorable James also instituted universal education, and remarkably improved the educational system as a whole. Unfortunately, he was toppled by a strategic coalition formed between the Freedom and Labour Parties. There’s no telling what Mr. James might have achieved, had he been voted into office for a second term.
Honorable Roosevelt Douglas and Pierre Charles, both of whom had abbreviated reigns but left us much too soon, picked up the mantle and exhibited some similitude or semblance of continued democracy. To a larger extent, Mr. Douglas exhibited significant vision, aspirations and ambitions for Dominica’s future; unfortunately, they met their untimely demise – under suspicious circumstances, I might add. The nation had absolutely no idea of the storm which was about to befall her very existence.
Fast forward to today. As to the real significance of these elaborate Independence celebrations being planned is completely beyond comprehension. The nation has ironically gone from economic independence under colonialism to total servitude or slavery under their very own fellow Dominican. In fact, it has been almost 17 years since Roosevelt Skerrit and his slave master, Anthony Astaphan, have had the nation firmly trapped within their jaws of poverty, dependency, mendicancy, as well as economic disempowerment. Such are the full fruitions of a well designed plan to incapacitate the country’s economy, stash away the only available loaf of bread, while feeding the crumbs to only those willing to submit to their commands. Those antagonistic enough to remain defiant are left to languish.
Truth of the matter is that Dominicans are really celebrating slavery, hence dependence – not independence by any stretch of the imagination. Consider the following bondage Dominicans have been under the past several years:
1) No freedom of expression; when you assert it you are victimized
2) Opposition has no access to the national news media
3) Centralization of political power in government – one man
4) No free and fair elections
5) No accountability or transparency, only opaqueness
6) Rubber stamped institutions – absolutely no autonomy
7) Integration of church and state
Corruption-infested government
9) Erosion of our private sector and unions
10) Oppression, Suppression and Poverty imposed on the people. And, the list goes on and on and on.
Could the PM be using festivities such as Carnival and WCMF to distract, deflect and bribe Dominicans into keeping him in office indefinitely? Is he preying on their vulnerability and or gullibility? It therefore begs the question, what are we really celebrating? Is it Independence or Dependency? Ask yourselves a question.
Opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online. DNO takes no responsibility for any opinion expressed in this commentary.
Jeffers, you look intelligent but now i know that your brains comes straight out of a tin of cornbeef,also you are a fake and lier to say Edison James, has done a lot for us Dominicans, this guy have never done a thing for Dominica, and marigot just take a look at what Edison James, gave to us a guy called Lennox Linton, well i tell you!
There was no struggle for Independece in the Caribbean after World War 2. The Colonists were dispensing freedom like Santa Claus sharing candy cane at Christmas; the only pro- con discussion was between the government and Opposition in the House of Assembly . You are also misguided about Colonialism. How could anyone enjoy economic freedom under a system that was formed to secure markets for manufactured products of the sovereign state. Do you realize that the British government owned CDC and were share holders in L Rose and Geeste Industries? Try to understand what Kwame Nkrumah meant by Neo-Colonialism. Patrick John was very charismatic but not to the degree that he wrested Independence from Britain. The reality at the time was Britain had fallen on hard times and could not afford to maintain a country as unproductive as Dominica. Learn your history before you write it!
This is a very partisan piece, from the pen of an amateur who probably took a week to write it.
This is a rather crass and simplistic view of the last 38 years of Dominica’s journey. The sort of thing a High School 4th former would write for an essay. No mention of the impact of world affairs or natural disasters on the course of events, the withdrawal of L.Rose and Co lime company, CDC, Geest, Colgate Palmolive takeover of DCP etc after independence, or the challenge of our terrain on development efforts. The exaggeration of Patrick John’s initiative, when all other Caribbean states were falling for independence like dominoes, and his account of the UWP period is laughable. And all that slavery – master stuff is sooooo 1970s. Until our alternative leaders grow up and face the real world, we will continue to be reduced to this narrow minded view of ourselves and our potential.
“Could the PM be using festivities such as Carnival and WCMF to distract, deflect and bribe Dominicans into keeping him in office indefinitely?”
Without a doubt, that is Skerrit’s motive. Skerrit has the majority of Dominicans pegged! Strike-up- the -band and let them dance, give them a drink of rum, so as to get them into a frenzy like feeding piranhas: keep them inebriated, hence they will forget they, exists in poverty.
Tell them Dominica is a more wealthy island; more so than the United States of America, and repeat that lie, the more often they hear it; the more believable the lie become. A promise is a fools’ pleasure, promise them anything. A house a car, or a lather reaching into heaven where at the top Skerrit will be there waiting with a barrel of food sent to Dominica from America, to feed the hungry; and inform the people America owes plenty debt like Dominica; we however, can pay our debt whereas America can’t!
Will a nation inebriated on music, dance, and…
Continue:
Will a nation inebriated on music, dance, and alcohol ever learn?
I doubt that!
The funny thing about it is when the music dies, their belly boils, and grumbles with movement of gas cause by hunger. They get angry, and vow to get rid of Skerrit, but by the time the next dance show comes around, they forget their vows, and give praise God for Skerrit!
A report on DNO about a weak ago placed hypertension, diabetes and obesity in almost epidemic proportions in Dominica _ and that’s not surprising. I see it on the face of folks, I hear it in their voice. Let me get direct to the point. A person is a member of a family for the most part; a family is a unite of a community and a community is a constituent of our island nation (in our case). Now, our thought process, just as our outlook on life has little variation among us. We see govt. as the provider of ‘manna’ from heaven and we go like this: Give me! give me! similarly though, the govt. itself feeds off what is called ‘friendly other governments’ and it goes like this: “Thank you! thank you! all year round, all through the years. A lawless place can not be progressive, neither can a mendicant nation be prosperous _ we are therefor not free or emancipated. We need to change our thinking in order to change our lives. First step, Period.
Well said and thinks for the memories. I hope the young ones will read as well to see how far we came to be in this mess we have in Da today .
One can’t even drive on rainy days to the north.
Jeffers we do not see ye to eye on every subject, but it is only guys like you who can come up with such important information to teach Dominican youths about their rich history and how proud they should be to strive for a better Da.
But it seems like older Dominicans do not like good for themselves.
Like I said back then when Edison lost the election, that it was like hurricane David hitting Da allover again, even then I for see how much we will suffer.
The thing is Skerritt did not have any foundational education to understand the workings of the position of P.M .So from ridding a bicycle to being driven , is a big step in any little boy’s head. Now that he is all grown and pretentious , the only thing he sees is money , money and give me more money.
Every person that go to Dominica to try to invest in any industry of company , every minister wants a hand out. How can we progress like that?
Guys like you who so love Da will have to come down to open their eyes !
Jeffers my friend, we do not agree on many things but this is a mater piece. Thanks for the good memories that only guys like you can bring to my mind. Dominica would truly have been a better place if Edison James had won that election. And as I told my sister back then , when Edison lost the elections, “this was like hurricane David hitting Dominica all over again .” But now I see that Dominicans do not know what is good for them.
The thing is , Skerritt did not have any foundational education so it is very hard to convince him to see things any other way but the way of the pur$e. Money ,money and give me more money, that’s all he sees.
I believe that it will have to take Dominicans like you, with your kind of love for Da, who are based overseas to come down to educate the young ones of their rich history and where we have been as far as gaining respect from international partners. We were so close to true independence , but we fell for the “Fool’s Gold.” Sad.
Keep on…
When will our indigenous brothers get emancipation from us ?
Good Point. Our Kalinago bretherin, in their limited space of just 3,700 acres and with a whole set of drawbacks are doing significant things for themselves and their people while we churn around in our own self-made mess!
They were never colonized by us. They enjoy same rights as every other Dominican .So what’s your point?
oh look it’s the ambassador in waiting again singing for his supper that will never come…poor man
You are crazy and uninformed ! This man loves Dominica more than any of these so called politicians and he does not have to sing for any thing (he has it like that) unlike the ministers that are clutched in Skerro hands.
Roland Patrick John was convicted and sentenced for treason. He was lucky he was not hanged. That is matter of record and we can not whiteweash that.
Well put together. Our development relative to our sister OECS countries is despicable.
You forgot to mention “aligning himself and the country with other despots like him notably Venezuela and China were oppression masquerades as freedom.”
Yes Jeffers but this is what the people of Dominica voted for and continue to support, the point is you get the government you deserve!
Mr jeffers joseph are you really really real could you please inform and indicate to us Dominicans as to which country In the world are you living and when was the last time that you have visited DOMINICA
The infrastructure Of the idle has changed in all aspects of development to name a few construction of home’s, complete construction and renovation of government institutions, construction of new roads and bridges, a scooter could barely pass through that Bathestate St.Aroment back road,nowadays two(2)fourth foot container trucks can pass without stopping to allowing one to stop to give way to another, there were two bridges on the Riseau River now there’s four with the Old Western Bridge being re-cinstructed a new Hospital is being constructed, on driving to and from the Sit, you had to stop at sections of the road to allow another to pass this has been eliminated, the Re-cinstructed E.O.LeBlanc West Coast highway which I had the opportunity to work on In the initial stages Of…
And the people have become paupers and paros.
You guys are so blind doh matter how the educated try to open all you Dominicans eyes is so all you criticizing them. Every thing Jeffers say is on point.
You talk about roads, but every time there is a little rain the road roll over. How about driving to Portsmouth from St. Joe when there is heavy rains? Since when Dominicans scared of rain noh? Rains used to be our thing. Skerro will continue to pull the cloth over all you eyes while he gets richer.
Is that all you accept for development after 17 years? well well well that is why we are sooooo baCKWARD.
H.I.J thank U for ur. intrusion,
It appears to me that U are only seeing light under a bushel, are U? the things that U high lilted can be counted on one hand after almost 17 yrs. are U and those like U not ashamed, U made mention of a back road at bath Estate where a scouter could hardly pass and now 2 container trucks can pass freely after 17yrs. The UWP stayed there 4.5yrs. 1 and a half term, Point Mitchel residents could not commute at certain times of year, uwp came and gave them a high way with a break down lane, and I will stop there for the time, cause U read what Jeffers Joseph has elaborated on, what I can say to U is that after U have read all what u have read and u are still making that kind of comment, U hate ur. country with better hatred carry on my friend, D/ca will shine one of these days without U and ur. corrupt Govt.