Today is May Day - a national celebration in recognition of workers' rights. A couple of days ago, on April 28th, 2018, Barbados celebrated National Heroes Day.
Today, I will ponder the freedom fighters among our national heroes. The Barbados Government Information Service produced some insightful clips interviewing the national heroes. I hope you learn a little about Barbados' history through them. There are recurrent themes of challenging the establishment be it for social reform, religious tolerance, worker's rights or classicism. In the region Barbadians are considered "quiet" but when we resist, the consequences are far reaching. These are our freedom fighters.
The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod:
This national hero believed as I do that the pen is mightier than the sword and he put his pen to write about the social injustices of his day as editor of a local newspaper. He also served in the House of Parliament. Today, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology bears his name.
Back From the Past – Ep. 2 – The Right
Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod [thebgis, 2015]
An illustration of his face also appears on the local twenty dollar bill.
The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill Prescod:
The only female national hero was a subject of controversy when the heroes were being determined. Her true story and the global impact of her resistance were not known by the historians of the day. She was a Methodist, a religious denomination that preached that all men are free, including slaves - who were the primary source of labour across the island for the white-owned sugar plantations on which the national economy was built. Fearing the destruction of their livelihood, the planter class, which dominated the House of Parliament, sought by every legislative means to stiffle the spread of Methodism. The Reverends were chased away. When Sister Ann began to hold meetings in her house, her life and property were threatened.
Barbados National
Heroes (Sarah Ann Gill) [MRD Barbados, 2013]
News of her persecution reached the House of Commons and on June 25 1825, legislation was passed prohibiting religious persecution throughout the British colonies. That makes the Rt. Excellent Sarah Ann Gill, a world changer!
The Right Excellent Clement Payne:
His is an interesting story. He was born in Trinidad to Barbadian parents and there he became acquainted with the trade union movement. Here is his version:
Back from the Past – Ep. 5 – The Right
Excellent Clement Payne [thebgis 2015]
When he saw the working conditions in Barbados, he sought to enlighten workers, much to the chagrin of their employers. The authorities arrested him, brought him to trial and deported him. On July 26 and 27, 1937, riots erupted in Bridgetown and the Report of the Commission into the 1937 Disturbances, directly attributed the unrest to this man. Throughout the British colonies in the West Indies, similar social unrest occurred between 1934 and 1939, resulting in the submission of the Moyne Commission Report, with recommendations for social improvements (though some critics deemed these as merely measures to keep the working class content enough to not disrupt the status quo again).
The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O'Neal:
As a black man born in the 19th century, he was well-educated locally and internationally. He too sought to alleviate the conditions of Barbados' poor. He is also the uncle of another Barbados national hero, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, who negotiated Barbados' independence from Great Britain. Here is what he had to say:
Back From the Past – Ep. 4 – The Right
Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal [thebgis 2015]
For his contribution to social change, a bridge in the capital city bears his name and his image is represented on the ten dollar currency note.
The Barbados Ten Dollar Bill
These people fought for the right for education among the masses, for health care and the right to vote and have a decent wage as a worker among other essential human rights.
While Barbadians will suffer in silence a long time, when we take action, it is well taken.
In 24 days, Barbadians will vote in national elections. What will that vote say?
