The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The United States Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, is where deceased prominent American political, judicial and military figures are laid in state, as a way of honouring them for their distinguished service to the nation.

Based on my reckoning, a total of 32 political, military and judicial figures have lain in state at the Rotunda, inclusive of 12 US presidents - with President Abraham Lincoln being the first president to receive the honour.

Additionally, only four American citizens, who were not politicians, nor were members of the military and judicial systems, have lain in honour in the Rotunda: the Reverend Billy Graham, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and officers Jacob J Chestnut, Jr, and John M Gibson.

Based on what I’ve seen, the Americans don’t often practice public viewings of the remains of their fallen iconic figures, preferring instead to have their flag draped coffins on the Lincoln Catafalque.

Granted, Lincoln’s remains were allowed to be seen by thousands of mourning Americans in the Rotunda – but that was 155 years ago. On the grim subject of thanatology, Americans have evolved since the death of Lincoln in 1865.

I stand to be corrected, but it would appear that Lincoln’s was the only true public viewing on Capitol Hill, with the possible exception being President William McKinley in 1901.

Being copycats of the Americans, the Bahamian political directorate has followed suit by having their fallen political comrades to lie in state in the foyer of the House of Assembly.

It would appear that each individual who has served in the Upper and Lower chambers of Parliament, no matter how brief their tenure was, is afforded this privilege.

The one difference between the Americans and Bahamians, however, is that the latter has added the morbid feature of open casket viewings, which I believe helps to contribute to a macabre atmosphere in a country already wallowing in a culture of death, especially in Nassau, the murder capital of The Bahamas. No, I am not afraid of death or dead people.

According to 2 Timothy 1:10, Jesus Christ has abolished death. Evangelical Christians have absolutely nothing to fear. Having said that, as a Bahamian taxpayer, I would prefer closed casket viewings with the Bahamian flag draped on the caskets in the House of Assembly moving forward.

If the family members of the deceased want a public viewing, then let them do it at the church where the eulogy will be preached. Bahamians should no longer be forced to foot the bill of this grim spectacle.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama.

December 14, 2020.