The Tribune

By Rev. Sebastian Campbell

Soon after the 1992 election our Prime Minister advanced that the time had come for the Bahamas to become a republic.

This new republic he opined should add a white bordered triangle inserted within the present black triangle on the flag. This, he claimed would hold the national unity of Spirit. He was wrestling with the perception of the black triangle being projected, among other things, to hail the black majority population. This same Sir Lynden O. Pindling also spoke in support of this country abandoning the Privy Council as our final Court of Appeal. Had the opportunity been given for constitutional reform, in his time, he would have asserted these bold positions in our advancement as a people.
Arthur Hanna has affirmed that it was the British themselves, in pre 1973, who urged the Bahamas to make a complete break away from Britain. The Bahamas preferred to do so incrementally, being cautious with every step. This was tragic and most unfortunate as Bahamians are too easily lulled to sleep in the mothering arms of one who really didn’t want us suckling at her breast any longer.
How tragic for the original Constitutional Committee to even assert that we Bahamians were not ready for the step to be a republic and therefore totally and fully independent. Who did they consult or how in depth was that consultation? If there was any semblance of a consultation, it was merely surfaced. I strongly assert that the views of the Constitutional Commission are not a true representation of the collective views of our people on this matter.
 Even so, leaders are to educate its people. If the trailblazers of Independence were of the mindset of this Constitutional Commission we would not have yet gained our independence. Sir Lynden O. Pindling, Arthur D. Hanna, Cecil V. Wallace-Whitfield, Randol Fawkes, Carlton Francis and all they of that generation were visionaries. Then in 1992 we see Sir Lynden O. Pindling expanding that vision and readied himself for an educational campaign.
 Sir Lynden O. Pindling and his cohorts will tell you that their work is to be built upon. Were they more progressive thinkers than we are? It was most inappropriate for Sean McSweeney to use the failed referendum in St. Vincent as a reference point of discouragement for us. Dr Ralph Gonzales was most unpopular at the time of his ill fated referendum. Coupled with a mediocre approach at educating his people the referendum was doomed to failure. It is no adequate reference point for us in the Bahamas, at a time when our people with proper extensive education, will do the right thing.

Other countries in our region are leaving us behind. Is there any reason the Bahamas fell way behind other progressive countries in the Caribbean in the attainment of independence? In 1967 when we were lagging behind and only celebrating Majority Rule, Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica were already Independent countries. Are we to again be left behind? Where does our motto fit in our national psyche to propel us forward as a nation?

This present generation of leaders must not be labelled as less progressive than the trailblazers who have brought us thus far. We must not be accused of being brave in words, but cowards in action.

I urge the Bahamas Government to reject the proposals against establishing us as a republic and all pertaining thereto. You, the political directorate must garner the energy and wisdom to educate our people so that we might advance to another echelon in our forward mobility.